Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.1.1, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter The Best Career Transition Coach in the World ## Posts ### [High-Paying Jobs #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-high-paying-jobs-in-2023-shorts/) **Published:** June 21, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** What are the top high-paying jobs this year that don't require you change careers and become a surgeon? **Content:** # High-Paying Jobs **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/YGxT8K0VNhc) What are the top high-paying [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) this year that don’t require you to change [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and become a surgeon? [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) What are the top high-paying [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)? [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) engineer, machine learning engineer, data scientist, data engineer, software developer, actuary, architect, engineer, management [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/), and Marketing Manager. This one surprised me– petroleum engineer. I’ve got to tell you there’s a lot that you can learn about each of these professions to see if these make sense for you. And there’s a lot more in the blog at [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) [***Your Ambivalence About the Job May Mean Something Else***](https://youtu.be/5HkK3WYXOXI) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-713x1024.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Careers, Text **Tags:** big bucks jobs, big money jobs, high pay jobs, high paying jobs, highest paying jobs, https://youtube.com/shorts/YGxT8K0VNhc, the top high paying jobs --- ### [How to Sabotage Your Job Search Part II](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-sabotage-your-job-search-part-ii/) **Published:** February 2, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discusses another way job hunters sabotage their job search. **Content:** # How to Sabotage Your Job Search Part II ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses another way job hunters [sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [***8 Things You Should Do When Starting a Job Search***](https://youtu.be/a4LY5MPvi_c) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Mistakes, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** How to Sabotage Your Job Search, Job Search Mistakes, Sabotaging Your Job Search, self-sabotage --- ### [Finding It Hard to Hire College-Educated Talent? Here’s Why. #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-it-hard-to-hire-college-educated-talent-heres-why-shorts/) **Published:** July 19, 2025 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** The New York Times' podcast, "The Daily" did an episode about college-educated people leaving large cities. **Content:** # Finding It Hard to Hire College-Educated Talent? Here’s Why. ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** [***Click here if the video does not play properly***](https://youtube.com/shorts/FaQ23txFclQ) [The New York Times’ podcast, “The Daily” did an episode about college-educated people leaving large cities](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/02/podcasts/the-daily/americas-big-city-brain-drain.html). Here’s why. ***[GenZ Won’t Be Another Commodity in Your ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h9F)*** If you’re an employer in one of the large urban areas around the United States, you may have noticed that the pool of college-educated talent has started to shrink, especially for high-skilled [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Why is that? Well, the New York Times podcast, The Daily, did a great show, where they talked about the reasons for this. To simplify their answer, people can’t afford to live in your areas and have a quality of life that they find acceptable. Housing costs are high, the cost of taxes high, it’s not easy, and they get worn out by it so they move elsewhere and find satisfaction from it. Consider [hiring remote workers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/intentionally-hiring-remote-workers-no-bs-hiring-advice/), well-educated people who are in lower-cost areas, but who could work remotely for you. There’s a lot more at [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) [***The Invisible GenXer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cs2) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Hiring Advice **Tags:** college educated workers, college-educated, Finding It Hard to Hire College Educated Talent?, Finding It Hard to Hire College Educated Talent? Here’s Why., hiring college-educated employees, The Daily, The Daily podcast, The New York Times --- ### [What's Your Real Problem With Networking?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-whats-your-real-problem-with-networking/) **Published:** March 5, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Networking is really about meeting or being introduced to a stranger and building a relationship **Content:** # **What’s Your Real Problem With Networking?** ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** Imagine yourself at a cocktail party with your wife/partner/husband. People are mingling actively. Talking and moving on to different people after a few minutes. Someone walks over to the two of you and says they are friends of the host. You nod and ask a few polite questions. “How do you know our host?” ![Networking Etiquette 101](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/networking-etiquette-101-1024x683-my-perfect-resume-300x200.jpg)“What do you do?” “Have you done it for very long?” And suddenly it happens. They ask, “Can I borrow $50.” You’re taken aback, make an excuse for why you won’t lend them $50 and then move on to chat with someone else. As you speak with that person and several others, your disturbance about being asked for money pervades conversations with others and actually keeps you up a night or two later. “I hardly know them and they asked for money,” you think before eventually going to sleep. Isn’t this how most people network? You call or email someone. Maybe you name drop someone; maybe you don’t. Within 5 minutes, you’re asking whether this stranger or old acquaintance knows someone and can recommend you for a job. Who would [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you? You’re like the guy asking for $50 believing that a stranger will reach into their wallet and give you money. It’s why I tell people that [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is really about meeting or being introduced to a stranger and building a relationship where when you need one another you are willing to help and support one another. It isn’t about exchanging cards at the [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) even and saying, “Call me if you![how-many-jobs-are-filled-because-of-networking-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-many-jobs-are-filled-because-of-networking-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x225.jpg) hear something.” It’s about developing a relationship with that person over time. Some of you may know that I moved to North Carolina two and a half years ago from the New York area. I belong to an international men’s organization and there is a chapter in town; I started to attend regular Wednesday night meetings with some of the men. Recently, one of them reported that he was having surgery to remove a tumor in his back; he’s self-employed and was going to be incapacitated for several weeks and rehabbing for quite a long time. After surgery, he put out a request for videos to borrow while rehabbing. A meal train was set up for dinners to be delivered to him and his family. I was very willing to help and scheduled myself to visit him at rehab several times and deliver dinner to he and his family once out. That’s the difference– a relationship had built up. If you’re working, now is the time to network and build up the relationship over time. If you are looking for work and have been told that [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is the way to find work, be patient, not desperate when you network. Listen and become a friend before you start asking for leads. Help the other person and they will want to help you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2013, 2023 [***Job Search Networking 411***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ebt) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** What's Your Real Problem With Networking? --- ### [Self Sabotage: A Misdiagnosis](https://thebiggamehunter.us/self-sabotage-a-misdiagnosis-2/) **Published:** November 18, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** For entrepreneurs, freelancers, self-employed people, and other business leaders what often happens is a little different than what happens to job hunters **Content:** ## Self Sabotage: A Misdiagnosis **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** For entrepreneurs, freelancers, self-employed people, and other business leaders what often happens is a little different than what happens to job hunters ***[Job Attachment: How It Can Hurt You Professionally](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jKi)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-723x1024.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2700 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles, No BS Career Advice **Tags:** business owners, Sabotaging yourself, Self Sabotage: A Misdiagnosis, self-employed, self-help, self-sabotage --- ### [Job Search Advice from the American Revolution](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-advice-from-the-american-revolution/) **Published:** July 4, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The American Revolution like the French Revolution and others that preceded it offers wonderful profiles in courage if we only take a minute to see them. **Content:** ## Job Search Advice from the American Revolution **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** The American Revolution like the French Revolution and others that preceded it offers wonderful profiles in courage if we only take a minute to see them. Yet there are other lessons that we can learn from them and from other heroes of the American Revolutionary War that we can apply to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). **Lesson 1: There comes a time . . .** The American revolutionaries decided that enough was enough. That it was important to stand up to what they perceived as tyranny and take action. They tried to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) with the British but ultimately decided that war was necessary. You as a job hunter working for your employer need to decide for yourself when to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) and when to take action and, if you take action, take consistent decisive action. **Lesson 2: What are your principles?** The Americans established principles that have stood the test of time in their war with the British. They knew what they stood for and became clearer and clearer as time went on. What’s most important to you in your next job or organization? What will you need to see or know in order to know it is the right place and job for you to work in? **Lesson 3: Find allies** Benjamin Franklin was sent to France to persuade the French to support the Americans. They sent troops and a general, General Marquis de Lafayette, to aid the Americans (and to support their own interests) in their battles with the English. Who is there to help you outside of your family? Where can you find allies to aid you with introductions as well as advice during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)? **Lesson 4: Do Not Give Up!** There were many reasons to give up and only one to stay the course. Especially in difficult times or when you are facing strong competition it will be easy to give up and hard to persist. Remember your reasons for [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) and do not surrender your principles for expedience. **Lesson 5: Beware of traitors!** Like Benedict Arnold, you may have friends or colleagues who will sell you short and try to persuade you to stay. Like wolves in sheeps clothing they will make a strong case for surrender by manipulating facts into “nuanced thinking” and count on the passage of time to dissipate the strong feelings that brought you to rebellion. Beware! ***[What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: Your Company’s Brand Makes a Difference](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jCj)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Job Search Tips, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Job Search Advice from The American Revolution --- ### [Starting a New Job? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/starting-a-new-job-shorts/) **Published:** June 22, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Before you fully commit to your new job, here's what to do to protect yourself. **Content:** ## Starting a New Job? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Before you fully commit to your new job, here’s what to do to protect yourself. [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) Accepted a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and joining a firm? Keep looking for another 60, a minimum 45 days after you join, Why? So many [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are misrepresented to people and you don’t want to find yourself trapped. So keep exploring other things after you join, just in case. And then, “just in case” really means if they’ve lied to you about the job. Otherwise, stick with them. Just because someone offers you more money or a better opportunity (so you think) doesn’t mean they’re the ones who aren’t the problem. So, again, keep looking for, minimally another 45 days after you join. There’s a lot more at [TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.thebiggamehunter.us/) ***[Six Questions To Ask In The Interview To Avoid Any Surprises Your First Day On The Job](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9vW)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Career Coach Office Hours](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/career-coach-office-hours-april-26-2022-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Starting a New Job **Tags:** career advice for young people, Here's what to do when you start a new job, new job?, Starting a New Job, starting a new job tips --- ### [Tell Me About Your Greatest Work-Related Accomplishment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tell-me-about-your-greatest-work-related-accomplishment/) **Published:** June 21, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This is a question that can be asked at any organization and affords you the opportunity to brag, as well as show your passion for your work to them **Content:** ## Tell Me About Your Greatest Work-Related Accomplishment **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** This is a question that can be asked at any organization and affords you the opportunity to brag, as well as show your passion for your work to them [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-827x1024.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** Behavioral interview questions, interview questions, interview questions and answers, job interview questions, job interview questions and answers, Tough Interview Questions, tough interview questions and answers --- ### [Your Unique Value Proposition for Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-unique-value-proposition-for-job-interviews-3/) **Published:** June 21, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** We all need to do things to differentiate ourselves from the people we compete with in order to stand out from the pack. **Content:** ## Your Unique Value Proposition for Job Interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** We all need to do things to differentiate ourselves from the people we compete with in order to stand out from the pack. [***Why Does It Seem Impossible to Find a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k2R) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-713x1024.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** acting unique, Being Unique, Personal Brand, Personal branding, unique selling proposition, Unique Value Proposition, UVP, value proposition, Your Unique Value Proposition for Job Interviews --- ### [What Salary Should I Ask For?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-salary-should-i-ask-for/) **Published:** June 16, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** How should you respond when they ask about how much you're looking for? **Content:** ## What Salary Should I Ask For? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** When people [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), they usually do not know what [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) to ask for unless they have an insider at the company who can advise them. Worse yet, a company wants to know what you are looking for in as [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) during the screening [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) (Have you done this? Have you done that? How did you do this? How did you do that?) when you don’t really know enough about the job, your future boss, your co-workers, timelines and expectations and more. #### *How should you respond when they ask about how much you’re looking for?* “I’m not really sure. I’ve just seen the ad (or job description or received a brief description from the Ronnie [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who scheduled this [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)). I haven’t met my future manager, or the team, heard what the job is all about, or have a sense of timelines and expectations. Could I answer that after I speak with s/he? By the way, what is the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) range for the role? I know it will depend on how they assess my qualification by what is the range the job is budgeted for?” If they pressure you into a number, reply by saying, “I can give you a number but I want you to understand that it may change higher or lower after I learn more. If you’re OK with that, for now, I’m looking for (then tell them the high end of the range you were just told). I also want to make sure you understand I am not committed to that price yet but since you thought you needed a specific [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) from me, I’ll consider something at this [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) range for now.” This gives you time to learn more about the job and not get trapped in too low a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) range. ***[What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: Your Company’s Brand Makes a Difference](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jCj)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-802x1024.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** What Salary Should I Ask For? --- ### [Why Does It Seem Impossible to Find a Job?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-does-it-seem-impossible-to-find-a-job/) **Published:** June 18, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it normal to struggle to find a job? **Content:** ## Why Does It Seem Impossible to Find a Job? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** ### -Why does it seem impossible to find a job? [The job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) has two layers to it—office work (what used to be called white-collar) and what used to be called blue-collar or no-collar work. The preponderant number of job hunters are office workers; the preponderant number of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are blue and no-collar [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). In addition, the skills needed to find a job are different than those needed to do a job. [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is its own unique skill set and most people make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of learning by trial and error rather than seeking advice from a pro at the beginning of their search to help guide them through the process. I’m not speaking about [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) because they work for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). There are [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaches and experienced [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) counselors who can [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) that mountain range of data you’re scrolling through and distill it to you and your needs. ### -Is it normal to struggle to find a job? Most people do because they conduct their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) like amateurs—they apply for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) and put themselves in competition with the other 250 people who did the same thing within the first hour of the job going live. They don’t think of building a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) while their working or how to cut the line and get to the front of it so that, like fish in a pond all trying to jump on to hook, you want to be escorted to the hook and jump on, not compete with all the other fish. ### -What to do if you can’t find a job? I break down a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) this way. If you aren’t getting any [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) needs work, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) doesn’t make a case for why you’re qualified, your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile contradicts your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you don’t actually have the experience they want/need, or you’re “aspirational applying” (I’d really like to do that job but I’m not qualified). If you’re getting to the screening round and not invited to continue [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), you haven’t helped the screener check the boxes on you and your qualifications (Have you done this? Have you done that? What about this?). If you’re being invited to meet people past the screener, they are looking to substantiate your competence. They are also [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for your [self-confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), character, chemistry, a little [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/), that you care and they can connect with you because all of that put together means they trust you to do the job. If they don’t trust you, you are likely to be rejected. What you need to do is improve your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and/or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile so they can see that you fit and want to talk with you. At the screener round, you want to make it easy for them to know that you can do the job because the more they think, the more like it is they will hesitate and then reject your candidacy. #### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-827x1024.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Why Does It Seem Impossible to Find a Job? --- ### [Job Search Networking 411](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-networking-411-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/) **Published:** June 15, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I explain what you should do to make networking effective for you and others. **Content:** ## Job Search Networking 411 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** **I explain what you should do to make [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) effectiv**[**e for you and others.**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/videoanswer) [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Career Coach Office Hours](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/career-coach-office-hours-april-26-2022-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Networking **Tags:** Job Search Networking 411 --- ### [How to Get More Networking Meetings Using ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-get-more-networking-meetings-using-chatgpt/) **Published:** June 14, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to network with people you don't know on LinkedIn and then speak with them or meet them in person, here is how to use ChatGPT. **Content:** ## How to Get More Networking Meetings Using ChatGPT **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** If you want to network with people you don’t know on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and then speak with them or meet them in person, here is how to use [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/). 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Step 1 01:30 Step 2 01:57 Step 3 02:45 Summary 03:13 Outro [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) We’re going to be talking about how to get more [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) meetings with absolute strangers using [chatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/). I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) advice and [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) globally, because I make everything related to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) much easier for people. And this is a great little hack. It doesn’t involve changing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). It involves connecting with someone on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) more effectively, and then meeting them for coffee and being [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for the meeting. This will work if your experienced. It will work if you’re a complete rookie graduating from school. It starts off with find the profile of someone that you’re interested in meeting with, and then download the [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) of their profile to your system and bring it into a text file. Then, with [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), the prompt that you use is “I’m an experienced [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach with more than [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of experience. Based upon this profile, identify their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) accomplishments and top three achievements using separate headers. Provide a lot of detail that shows their expertise. Then paste the [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) or the the text file derived from the [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) I should say, into [chatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/). The next thing is, “I’m a job seeker on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). She or he receives a lot of connection requests. I want to stand out. Give me at least three practical and actionable ideas for getting them to accept connection requests from me. Think step by step. It will give you ideas for how to connect with this person beyond the simple generic one that they may or may not respond to. Then, from there, to meet someone in person, or over Zoom or some other way, the prompt that you use is “I’m a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach with more than [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of experience helping people get [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in (fill in the blank, whatever the field is). I have an upcoming meeting with (and give it the title of the person that you want to meet with and want their advice about finding a position in whatever it is they do, or getting an entry-level position and whatever it is they do). Based upon this person’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) (which you’ll then copy and paste after you finish this prompt) give me 10 to 15 questions I might ask she or he that will let them know I’ve done my homework and. stand out from the average Joe or Jane they might meet with. Then paste the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in and it’s going to give you some ideas of questions that you might ask in the course of a meeting. This is great stuff. I hope you find that helpful. Experiment with it. You’ll have to do some edits of the material that you send to this person and the questions that you might receive back, but you’re going to take far less time to get organized than you might otherwise. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us). There you can find out about my video courses, books and guides. Visit the blog. Schedule time to have your questions answered using Trusted Advisor Services. Scheduled time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). I’ve got a lot there to help. Also connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Have a terrific day and be great! [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Networking **Tags:** chat gpt, ChatGPT, ChatGPT for job search, chatgpt for networking, chatgpt prompts, chatgpt tutorial, How to Get More Networking Meetings Using ChatGPT, How to Get More Networking Meetings with Strangers Using ChatGPT, job search chatgpt prompts, LinkedIn, LinkedIn advice, LinkedIn tips using ChatGPT, networking using ChatGPT, using ChatGPT for LinkedIn --- ### [Never Say or Do These Things in a Job Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/never-say-or-do-these-things-in-a-job-interview/) **Published:** June 13, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Ah! The things people do and say on interviews that prove costly and result in you interviewing longer than you should. **Content:** ## Never Say or Do These Things in a Job Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Ah! The things people do and say on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) that prove costly and result in you [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) longer than you should. [***The Screening Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k10) Never say or do these things in a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) advice and [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) globally, because I make the process so much easier for people. I also do some other things. But fundamentally, people start off working with me related to a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). ![Changing careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/changing-careers-pexels-jeff-denlea-3714743-683x1024.jpg)And I must say I did recruiting for a long time and filled a lot of positions throughout the US and Canada, I found there were people who kept making these dumb [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), and costing themselves opportunities they should have gotten, but they hurt themselves. And thus, they had to go home afterwards, and say, “I don’t think I got it,” and deal with their friends, wife, husband, partner, kids, the dog, the cat, who were always hoping they got this job, but they hurt themselves. And I want to help you avoid doing that. So you can get to your next role much more quickly. So the first [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is they talk ill of their former employer. That could be they complain about their boss, they complain about their co-workers, they complain about the treatment that they have received. And this employer hears that goes, “How long is it going to take for me to be the brunt of their criticism once they join me?” They don’t want to become a complaint target. They just want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people with a good attitude. So you’re better off always talking about, you know, “I can keep doing the same work for the next [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of my life but I don’t want to do that. I want to learn and grow and get ahead and move forward and not do the same tasks forever, like I might have here.” And that will serve you a lot better than complaining. ## [***Standing Out on an Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hoC) The second thing is they act desperate. And I must in all candor tell you when people act desperate, it reminds me of dating, and having the desperate person out there trying to meet someone. No one likes desperation in dating, right? And they certainly don’t like it in [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). You may want to position you’ve been out of work for a while, you need something, but they don’t want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone who’s desperate. So you’ve got to maintain your cool, be friendly, be interested, but not cross that line to desperation. Third thing is they don’t provide cliches or you shouldn’t provide cliched answers to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions. Now, when they ask you predictable questions, you have to generate some personality and answer them in ways that are a little bit different, so that they experience you differently. After all, if you answer questions in the same way as other people, why should they choose you? You’re just like everyone else. Other things have to come across in your answers in order to find something more quickly. Never say you don’t know something. Always connect back to something in your background. That’s similar to what they’re talking about. Like I’ve said many times, there are certain dirty words in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). “I’ve ONLY done this,” I’ve JUST done that. I have LIGHT experience with this or that.” You know, they’re dirty words in [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) because they don’t really say anything. All they do is say, “I don’t know anything about this subject; could we talk about something else?” Next, never be the lazy person going into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Always [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) the firm, and what it is they do and what their expectations for you are going to be, and be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to answer predictable questions about your background, and how it fits with the role. At this stage in life, you should know that you should understand what the firm does. That should be the most basic thing you do. You should also be on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and see what the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s background is. You want to understand more about the position and get a job description in advance or reread the ad, but you want to confirm that is what they are looking for. Because job descriptions often aren’t completely accurate. So you just want to make sure that what it is you think they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for is what they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for. You want to dress appropriately. That’s number six. I don’t care if you’re on camera or in person. It’s important to look the part and present the part so that this way, you look well. If you dress in a sloppy manner, they’ll reject you, right? They don’t think you care. They want to see people who . . . I’m not saying towear a suit and tie if you’re a man, or a formal dress, if you’re a woman, but look well and present yourself, well. It does make a difference. You don’t want to be asking about time off– big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) on your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Now, once they want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you, if you’ve got planned time off, you can use that as part of your negotiation. “I have a vacation with my wife, husband or partner scheduled for later this year, and I need some time off for that. I just want to make sure you know in advance, because I know you don’t want to be surprised last minute, do you?” Number nine, give rambling answers. Always think in terms of answering questions in a minute 15, tops, a minute 30. And thus preparing stories in advance so that you answer their questions about what you did and how you went about doing it in that length of time. I’ll also say it’s important to engage with the interviewer. And thus, without that engagement, they don’t think you care and caring about what you do is important. The last thing I’m gonna bring up with you today, and there are many, many more, is looking or acting as if you’re disinterested. Disinterested people are rarely hired. You have to always present as though you care. Because if you don’t care, they think that’s going to reflect your work too. So being animated, excited, interested, and if you’re an introvert, you want to communicate in ways that they feel the intensity of your background and interest. It’s not about a big exuberant personality, but it’s about intensity more than anything. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us). There’s a ton in the blog that can help you. AND you can schedule a time to have your questions answered by choosing Trusted Advisor Services or have me coach you and there’s an option there to schedule a free discovery call with me or you can go right into [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). I’d love to help. There’s also information about my video courses, books, and guides. My video courses are very, very good. And connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter). I deliver new information on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) daily. Have a terrific day and most importantly, be great! ***[Never Use These 3 Dirty Words in a Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jRn)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Interviews, LinkedIn, Mistakes **Tags:** interview, interview advice, interview mistakes, interview tips, Interviews, job interview, Job Interview Mistakes, Job interviews, Never Say or Do These Things in a Job Interview --- ### [Researching Companies: A Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/company-interview-research/) **Published:** June 13, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I talk about the big mistake people make when researching companies **Content:** ## Researching Companies **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** I talk about the big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make when researching companies ***[Researching the Company You Are Interviewing With](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4b)*** I want to talk with you about a big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) job hunters make when they are researching companies, trying to figure out whom to connect with to apply for a job without going to the applicant tracking system… All the stuff that you can do through [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). The most common [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is they only contact current employees of the firm. They don’t think of contacting the previous ones. Yes, previous ones can be jaded. They left. However, they may know is much as the current employees about the job that you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for, about the organization, the good points, the bad points, and more willing to share them than the current employees are. Why might the current employees not talk? Because they may be [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) that you will get back, they don’t know you from a hole in the wall, and, as a result, they become reluctant. My encouragement to you is really very simple. On [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). You use the advanced search option to search a previous employer. Look for, “Past Company.” Choose that. Enter whatever search terms are relevant. See if you can find the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager by contacting previous employees of the firm., Rather than just simply going to the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). ***[Stupid Interview Mistakes: Overthinking Your Resume](https://youtu.be/kL1Bd8NnZFU)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-713x1024.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** 15 Minute Job Search Tips, Preparation **Tags:** contacting former employees, Finding the Hiring Manager, researching an employer, Researching Companies --- ### [Employee Retention: Wages and Compensation](https://thebiggamehunter.us/employee-retention-wages-and-compensation/) **Published:** June 13, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Vistage members discussed the importance of wages and compensation in employee retention. **Content:** ## Employee Retention: Wages and Compensation **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** In a recent roundtable discussion, Vistage members discussed the importance of wages and compensation in employee retention. Members agreed that ![Staff Retention | Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Staff-Retention.jpg)competitive wages are essential to attracting and [retaining](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) top talent, but they also stressed the importance of non-financial rewards, such as flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a positive company culture. One member shared that her company had recently increased wages by 10% in an effort to retain employees. She said that the increase had a positive impact on morale and retention, and that it helped to attract new talent. Another member said that her company had implemented a flexible work arrangement program that allowed employees to work from home or a hybrid schedule. She said that the program had been very popular with employees and that it had helped to reduce turnover. Members also discussed the importance of providing professional development opportunities for employees. They said that employees who are given opportunities to learn and grow are more likely to be engaged and productive. Finally, members stressed the importance of creating a positive company culture. They said that a positive culture can make a big difference in employee satisfaction and retention. **Conclusion** In conclusion, wages and compensation are important factors in employee retention, but they are not the only factors. Non-financial rewards, such as flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a positive company culture, can also play a role in keeping employees engaged and productive. ***[Two Low-Cost Ways to Improve Hiring and Staff Retention](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h1m)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** No BS Management Advice --- ### [GenZ Won't Be Another Commodity in Your ATS | No BS Hiring Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/genz-wont-be-another-commodity-in-your-ats-no-bs-hiring-advice/) **Published:** March 1, 2022 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Start thinking about changing how you attract Gen-Z employees. **Content:** ## GenZ Won’t Be Another Commodity in Your ATS | No BS Hiring Advice Start thinking about changing how you attract Gen-Z employees. [***The Invisible GenXer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cs2) The video of this has 1.1 million likes on TikTok. @cowboyJess wants to land her dream job as an animator at Pixar. What does she do? Well, I can tell you she’s not just [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for dozens of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) on their job board and hoping something works out. She’s found other ways to stand out, be creative, and use the power of native digital tools to get Pixar’s attention. Instead, she walks outside their headquarters and draws with chalk on their sidewalk. Then posts on Tik Tok for vitality. Gen Zer’s approach to [standing out](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/) in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process is unique. And if you’re in HR or the owner of a small business, you should be thinking of ways to capitalize on this. Building a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) that Gen Z dreams of working for is a major way to attract the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) and brightest. [***The Revenge of The Millennials***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aFY) ### ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER ![JeffAltman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)JeffAltman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with more than 2100 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* **[NEW! Online Mock Interviews](www.TheBigGameHunter.us/mock)** **[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/mock](www.TheBigGameHunter.us/mock)** **Inexpensive online practice that you can record an I review.** Learn to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) like a pro. “[The Ultimate Job Interview Framework](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-ultimate-job-interview-framework/)” w[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews](ww.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews) Kindle and print versions are available on Amazon. Classes On Skillshare [Become a freelancer or hire one on fiverr.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/fiverr) h[ttps://thebiggamehunter.us/fiverr](about:blank). I use it and I may wind up [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you! To set up your freelance business correctly, [you may want to incorporate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/incorporate) [Join Career Angles on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/careerangles/) and receive support, ideas, and advice in your current [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and job. ![JobSearchTV.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Banner-1-300x112.jpg)JobSearchTV.comConnect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](http://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Mention you listen to the podcast or watch my YouTube channel. [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Going Nowhere? “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs)” on Amazon Watch my videos on YouTube at [JobSearchTV.com](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.JobSearchTV.com), the [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) TV app for Roku, fireTV or a firestick or Bingenetworks.tv for Apple TV, and 90+ smart tv’s. **Since 2007, [FlexJobs has been the #1 site for work at home opportunities](https://thebiggamehunter.us/flex) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/flex](www.TheBigGameHunter.us/flex)** Thinking of making a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) change and need some ideas that fit you. [CareerFitter offers a free test and if you want more you can upgrade for the paid version.https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** GenZ, No BS Hiring Advice **Tags:** GenZ, GenZworkers, Hiring, hiring GenZ, Hiring GenZ employees, hiring staff, recruiting, recruiting Gen-Z workers --- ### [The Proper Way to Resign Your Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-proper-way-to-resign-your-job/) **Published:** June 10, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this video, Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discusses how to quit your job without burning your bridges. **Content:** ## The Proper Way to Resign Your Job **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to quit your job without burning your bridges. [***8 Things You Should Do When Starting a Job Search***](https://youtu.be/a4LY5MPvi_c) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things can![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-827x1024.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Resigning **Tags:** The Proper Way to Resign Your Job --- ### [90+ NEW LinkedIn Features for 2023 PART II](https://thebiggamehunter.us/90-new-linkedin-features-for-2023-part-ii/) **Published:** June 10, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** 90+ NEW LinkedIn Features for 2023 **Content:** ## 90+ NEW LinkedIn Features for 2023 PART II captured in the Wild, so far, in 2023, PART II! [By Kevin D. Turner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/president) @ [TNT Brand Strategist LLC](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnt-brand-strategist) Who would have imagined that we could have maxed out the Newsletter Article size limits and had to make a PART II? The first 65 NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features for 2023 may be found in [PART I](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-linkedin-features-2023-kevin-d-turner/). Thank you to all the Eagle Eyed & Sharing Hearts that help me in curating this [\#NEWLinkedInFeature](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/newlinkedinfeature)(s) List, as the pinnacle resource for those who want to keep up with the advances of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)! Most [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Rollouts follow a standard 5 Waves: Randomized, Staggered, Timed, & Increasing in Size, so that [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) can evaluate, adjust, sometimes eliminate, and ultimately to reduce any negative impact, unpredicted loads or code collisions that might blow up the platform. Usually a clean rollout is 30 to 90 Days to complete. ### Welcome, to PART II of the 4th Annual Edition of the Crowd Sourced & Continuously Evolving [\#NEWLinkedInFeature](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/newlinkedinfeature)(s) Series: --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQEi9HXBnEfDlA/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1685711350307?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=fP51yEZw4N_gyMtraaCvbcp0pBb5_nUstp9WE0cFO5o) **✩\[Encourage members to post\]** has been added to the Group admins toolset to identify group members who have participated and pre-populate a message, that can be personalized, to send to those Members to encourage them to post. Captured in the Wild by [Jeff Young](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffyoungralemoi?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAAJFAEBnMZFLixFbM1HgB2tnMo93yK-8HY) 06.01.2023 (92) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQF0TMX-5n3sCg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1684844503297?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=gV9BnBdby2K7V73ClhtCVw6YST9S7i5HL0hfa4NneDw) **✩\[Post ideas\]** are 3 suggested prompts based on a Content Creators top skills listed on their profile that refresh daily. Post ideas uses the same process that AI-power Collaborative Articles used to to get select Content Creators to comment on the Skills based articles guided by the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) News Editorial Team. Found in the Creator Mode Analytics & tools resource in the second box right below Analytics. If the topic works for you, just click the \[✐\] to open Create a post and begin writing. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-activity-7066748749766672384-b0Zr) 05.23.2023 (91) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQFJ-7jQGCOkpA/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1684844275691?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=hdUD5mCCh0jaUcIuOT4w9o5AGC4qebrbLc285Ud4qU4) **☆ \[Job Post Verifications\]** was designed to help Job Seekers make safer decisions about [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for opportunities by providing up to 4 points of Verifications: Job Verifications include **Work email, Job poster ID, Job poster workplace verification & Official company page verified**: [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-activity-7066748749766672384-b0Zr) 05.23.2023 (90) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQGBM78QVteTcA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1683807036401?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=XHQvGHs6va12u7XLBhKMh8A6_yw1aRwbtNVTALWfIZY) **☆ \[Sort feed by Most Relevant and Most Recent posts\]** allows you to set your choice and have it remain in effect until you choose to change it. Our feed is set to **Most Relevant** posts, by default, to show the relevant personalized posts. You can change the preferred feed view: ► **Most Relevant posts:** You’ll see posts that match your interests and activity. ► **Most Recent posts**: You’ll see the most recent posts first and only from people whom you follow. Your interests and activity data will not be used to sort the feed or make any recommendations. NOTE: Inside the European Economic Area Most Recent you’ll see updates from your network in reverse chronological order and outside you’ll see the updates most relevant to you in reverse chronological order. Captured in the Wild by [Barbara Langendoen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaralangendoen?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAE6LhUBxewcdu0oKHR_WdGnfYsw4tk9ivg) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeatures-keeprockinglinkedin-privacy-activity-7062398011720552448-PVWs) 05.11.2023 (89) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQEOLcLzw_SWjw/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1683807141824?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=RP724sLxeVTBvyAMvEEC5FK8srViXgRWosudSgg8DLU) **☆ \[**Show profile photos\] **is a setting that allows you to choose which [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) members’ profile photos would you like to see. Choose between** No one, Your connections, Your network & All [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) members Captured in the Wild by [Barbara Langendoen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaralangendoen?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAE6LhUBxewcdu0oKHR_WdGnfYsw4tk9ivg) [**POSTED**](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeatures-keeprockinglinkedin-privacy-activity-7062398011720552448-PVWs) 05.11.2023 (88) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQGda6IxiwN27Q/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1683740024992?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=HyX2bqF_IKx1yMzfpRwoaLRb1UsTo1LV9tlp-e4X960) **☆\[Ideas for your next post\]** has been added to the Creator mode \[Analytics & tools\] section and it suggest possible topics to spark your next post based on the top endorsed skills listed on your profile. Click the Write icon and \[Create a post\] window pops up and its populated with the suggested topic and a some supportive hashtags. Captured in the Wild by [Gillian Whitney](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAA5TPYwBk7HXKzH2zdPSEy3--qw49v9sgwg) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeatures-keeprockinglinkedin-privacy-activity-7062398011720552448-PVWs) 05.10.2023 (86) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHaLT6BdHeliA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1683726429966?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=BudlBJBLxAay8FGOecs1mvo4dzw0ao9TDlofeMaMUuE) **☆\[Conversations happening now\]** has been added to the Creator mode \[Analytics & tools\] section and it focuses suggesting Reposts that are based on your past content and your audience’s interests. New suggestions will appear when available. ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHuw8bbP5GDfA/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1683726769663?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=tAQEea6b4pMVvaYoVoElf6SWVWmgjo7y0IUKmg76wQQ) Captured in the Wild by [Deanna Russo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannarusso1?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAFfJSgB7pPMDSP9qkeHRzfAjfoxwXpxLEc) & [Jayant Ghosh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayantghosh?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAEKNosBwzq34p10aIKG_4fd6mo5cEoieYQ) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeatures-keeprockinglinkedin-privacy-activity-7062398011720552448-PVWs) 05.10.2023 (85) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQF-Pntc_JQ55A/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1683727171691?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=cXdQOpmwqhzrSlLRx2wiEqnjvKsLDGAZpHWgfc3Xlqo) **☆\[Your scheduled post is now live\]** has been added to Notifications to remind us not to automatically Schedule a Post and then Ghost. Captured in the Wild by [Ralph Birnbaum](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbirnbaum?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAANshoBsuzqktGHcL1-LIfds9GOcysuKHA) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeatures-keeprockinglinkedin-privacy-activity-7062398011720552448-PVWs) 05.09.2023 (84) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQEi9Nh-LURW0Q/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1683727310304?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=PYr958uFJL8oKvKjB3W3hgmtDRPJTsP4ZseFcEQXEW8) **☆\[Expand your network\]** has been added to Notifications and when clicked on takes you to the mutual connections page with the featured Member. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeatures-keeprockinglinkedin-privacy-activity-7062398011720552448-PVWs) 05.06.2023 (83) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHmccRJzib7_w/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1683410653967?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=QfK81AjNEE89eazlwE9Hn-dTt_v14KJRzeZ6ecMrGQ8) **☆\[Draft using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/)\],** a premium feature in beta testing, is a Generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool ([ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/)) to help Content Creators with their initial draft of the latest post. All the Creator has to do is enter from 1 up to 30 words, click (Draft post) and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) will create a draft for them to review, edit, or just choose to post as is. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-ai-activity-7060740389267247104-iXx3) 05.06.2023 (82) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQGWQWGIR4Ni9g/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1683119948866?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=N-9dDIKu4t1iSquNrRhDaWskqCesUrn5ezcjyFaKlQA) **☆\[[AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Draft: Ask about the job\]**, a **Premium** feature, will assist Candidates [applying for a Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) by **drafting a message to the listed Job Poster**. Using Generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) with information from your profile, the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s profile, the job description, and the company of interest, this feature could create a highly personalized draft message to get a conversation started. It is recommended to review and edit this message if appropriate. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-jobseekers-activity-7059857224419995648-2pEK) 05.03.2023 (81) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHr6soL7gcFXw/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1683039937704?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=zlw7dyv1nmJeEvucHl1w7LzFyCxotZVvVRCsdYN-DBE) **☆\[Report this \]** has been updated for **Posts & Comments** with a **new UX** that shows the options as buttons. Click the **\[…\] More icon**, click **\[ 🏴 Report \_\_\_\_\]** and a popup will appear. Click the appropriate **(Category) button** and it turns Green, click **(Next)** for details, select **(✅ Receive updates on this report)** if presented and desired, then click **(Submit)**. **(Infringement or defamation)** was added to our Report option buttons and directly lists links the following forms **Copyright, Trademark & Defamation**. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-report-activity-7059511942163410944-EvSj?) 05.2.2023 (80) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHpi9MbGUAFcQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1683028040107?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=1RqTV19pa2AIlWsASbcYc9CX5aw6dfd_MTVtAb9-nww) **☆\[Documents\]** & **\[Reactions\]** added to the **\[More ▼\]** Filters in **All Activity.** Our **Documents** use to be lumped into our **(Posts)** and **Reactions** where part of the **(Comments)** filters. Separating these categories into 4 Filters makes them more valuable and workable for different purposes. Captured in the Wild by [Ralph Birnbaum](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbirnbaum?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAANshoBsuzqktGHcL1-LIfds9GOcysuKHA) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-report-activity-7059511942163410944-EvSj?) 05.01.2023 (79) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQGfJt9jUnbc5w/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1682780243183?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=MWOkzxSpv5bTU7OW7IkUdSUexMVFzoyPCNA3R1w5UjM) **☆\[Follower purge\]** is taking place as [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) cleans up by **Filtering out** the **Restricted** and **Hibernated** Accounts. This action is intended to better support Members and Content Creators with more reliable engagement and reach insights. Captured in the Wild by [Annette Richmond](https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetterichmond?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAABr6QMBi1Cp-DLcp8byUjYZD9Knd2peDN8) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_keeprockinglinkedin-fakes-cybersecurity-activity-7058054868787212288-hWSE) 04.29.2023 (78) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQFWGOgZXGTAgQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1682509811322?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=p5f0ErI7u_z-AEbHNCK_Fi6Ode3cu_edNODe6kc19Wo) **☆\[Custom action\]** allows **Premium Members** to add a **hot Link (like Creator mode option)** & **Premium Business Members** the option to add a hot Link or a **hot Linked Custom button** to the Top card of our profiles to show our profile visitors the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to engage with us. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-linkedinpremium-activity-7056956760342867968-n5JP) 04.26.2023 (77) ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQEf-tODJFh1mw/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1682530280384?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=RS0RwyMKN4GGFsMcCGhcWPy3eSq9WafyyNHPTINTqcE) ⚠️ If you used the Creator mode Add a link in the Top card the new \[Custom action\] will replace it (delete) in the Top card ⚠️ --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D4D12AQE0fEyARDmepQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1682359526813?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=sok35wgD_Pc5cmjLH5QMUqNTBBRZBlC8IQwX_gpXejI) **☆\[Job Recommendations\]** uses [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to show us [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) based on our Job Searches, Job [Alerts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-alerts-3/), Open to preferences, Profile, and Activity on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Found on the 💼Jobs tab in the center column. Editing the results helps the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) pick better for you going forward. Sub filters also include Remote/Hybrid/Onsite opportunities, Green [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), Still [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) in your network, & More [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for you [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-jobseekers-recruiters-activity-7056598042526814208-C2v1) 04.24.2023 (76) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D4D12AQFBN75Ct48OtQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1682360182668?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=TJA2YmRzsieXIFuwb_HhhbWY5WVY0iysP5ghnlsQawI) **☆\[Top Choice\]** allows us the option when [applying for a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/), to **Mark job as a top choice job**, which increases our chances of [standing out](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/) to hirers or [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). To use Top Choice, it must be an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to a **Recommended for you** and part of the **Easy Apply** process. You may only Top Choice up to 3 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) a Month. Captured in the Wild by [BRUCE Bixler](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucebixler49?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAJ2pfoBww-g90a77LLIzi6EiXCDCR7nhaY) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-jobseekers-recruiters-activity-7056598042526814208-C2v1) 04.24.2023 (75) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQEWytvYoWhbcA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1682341901393?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=xyELE9XihpFUrhWgc42yxm5AUl-Gql5A4b9-ptoaC9c) **☆\[10 Free 2 Month Premium Gifts\]** are available to select Premium Members to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) up to 10 current Members to receive 2 Months of Premium for Free. If you have received this [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) by email be sure the Members you are referring have not redeemed a Premium free trial in the last 12 months. To search to see if you got the email use title search “New! [Refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) your friends to Premium and enjoy the benefits together” [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-jobseekers-recruiters-activity-7056598042526814208-C2v1) 04.24.2023 (74) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQG20PGsyn-YxA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1682339088396?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=t25xeXbuRmbzXRG--g7LzGc5Hdyob3NbGAp5cTc9vTA) **☆\[Add key skills\]** which allows **Premium Members** to have their Profile compared to Market Value Titles, they choose, to produce a list of top Skills they have (transferable) and suggests new ones for the chosen position. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_add-key-skills-to-your-linkedin-profile-suggested-activity-7056235332211535872-86ov) 04.24.2023 (73) [VIDEO](https://youtu.be/ez1iwyNPjDc) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQE-KFTxpDWwxg/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1682271798334?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=15n0ohIbiMZGkpI4XXdMWiHDk-vxsdnz2KJzlMpIWEY) **☆\[Verification by Mobile App\]** has been added to the **2 Step Verification** process, allowing us a 3rd option to use our [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Mobile app, saying the additional steps of receiving an texted SMS Security Code and having to renter that in our browser login session. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-jobseekers-recruiters-activity-7056598042526814208-C2v1) 04.23.2023 (72) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQH63l8jlM6XIg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1681825776420?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=I6S5dfOFuBCY0T6FDsFgHc76DzQNinlVoXczFPoChPI) **☆\[Creator subscribe\]** AKA the 🔔 has been added to the Top card of the primary People search results. Making it easier to get all their post or to check to see if we have rung their bell in the past. Captured in the Wild by [Michael Refuerzo, CPD, CPT](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-neal-refuerzo?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAADIMnIYBHnUQB3hae4mThof8d1ZJ7aAu6Xw) [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/michael-neal-refuerzo_linkedin-personalbranding-peoplehelpingpeople-activity-7054083652057518080-iO2K) 04.18.2023 (71) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQGt-FesUER5ag/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1681563978107?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=LUR-GhslEQqgmyaxh0RboJjcei3q5Dl7APr3iXjKxOg) **☆\[Sponsored [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) campaign messages\]** are targeted pop up Job posting messages based on non-personal profile information such as the title of your current position, your primary industry, your region, or your skills from one of LinkedIn’s marketing partners with informational or promotional content that is part of a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) campaign. Unless you choose to provide it, your name and email address will not be disclosed to LinkedIn’s marketing partners. To **Opt (Out) or (In)** to receiving these messages, go to: Setting & Privacy / Data Privacy / Messages / Sponsored messages 04.15.2023 (70) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQGtY_sOPPFHBQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1681397552955?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=JIDK-uWDFg8OdLeUvss6f6anYqr_qFt0Afazhb__0RM) **☆\[ID verification\]** is available for U.S. members with a valid government-issued ID, a U.S. phone number and the name on your ID must match the name on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile). Access the process on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, go to the \[About\] this profile section, or the \[Suggested for you\] card to start the verification process. **\[ID verification\]** uses **3rd part app** called **CLEAR** that will ask you take and upload a photo of yourself and your government-issued ID, such as your driver’s license, state ID or passport. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-linkedin-keeprockinglinkedin-activity-7052268743132934144-most) 04.13.2023 (68) [Step by Step Post with Actual Video setting up my \[ID Verification\]](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-keeprockinglinkedin-idverification-activity-7055140072123207680-QiFC) 04.21.2023 --- **☆\[Workplace verification\]** is a global launch available for limited Pilot companies and is processed by Microsoft using the **Entra Verified ID platform**. This pilot will verify that you work at your Company and display that on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. These new Verifications are optional, free, good for 1 year, visible on your profile, and can be removed by the Member. The display of verifications on your profile may change as the feature evolves, and adding verifications is optional. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-linkedin-keeprockinglinkedin-activity-7052268743132934144-most) 04.13.2023 (69) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHY0wtb0wAsrQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1681399596528?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=n0TBDxBarO319ZkSetJbUI7cZpj4qnoMcL5RJqetwPU) **☆\[Drag your files here\]** added to **\[Start a post / Create a post\]** process allowing us to click on a file (images only at this time) from our desktop, drag it to the post, and drop it in. ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQEwRv136BFjDA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/0/1681908966699?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=jVi7QuSaVYJeUJYhDUSXL57KGw1AwseAnDoehhJQusw) This saves 3 steps; eliminating clicking the add \[Photo\], doing the file search process, and clicking (Open) to upload. The name of this process is a bit misleading as you can only drop in images that are a gif, jpeg, jpg, or png (and not all files). [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-hiring-keeprockinglinkedin-activity-7051886694165319680-1Y8C) 4.13.2023 (67) --- ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQG5V2Bj9z0heg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1681399789594?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=9AKeZQxOSTjOVgNKZjMWFmwnDTdx1GwLXvvhjhNfzzw) **☆\[Share a job\]** button is now appearing on Notifications when someone from your Network posts a Job on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Clicking **(Share a job)** will create your own Post that directly links to a clickable Graphic of the job. To make this share even easier, even the content of the post is pre-populated with an editable text of **“ is** [\#hiring](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/hiring)**. Know anyone who might be interested?”**. [POSTED](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/president_newlinkedinfeature-hiring-keeprockinglinkedin-activity-7051886694165319680-1Y8C) 4.13.2023 (66) ### REMINDER: The first 65 NEW LinkedIn Features for 2023 may be found in [PART I](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-linkedin-features-2023-kevin-d-turner/). ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQHHLlEABEOAVg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1681565134182?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=91D5HzXCZvQPsRMPL9xoz9H7VL_nHUhZxqpmnU1w8kA) ## If you want to stay ahead of the LinkedIn Curve: ► Ring My 🔔 [LinkedIn.com/In/President](https://www.linkedin.com/in/president) ► Sign up for this ROCK\[In\] Newsletter [lnkd.in/dNpAqTRV](https://lnkd.in/dNpAqTRV) ► Watch the Videos & Subscribe [youtube.com/@KeepRockingLinkedIn](http://mailto:youtube.com/@KeepRockingLinkedIn) ► Follow these 3 Hashtags [\#NEWLinkedInFeature](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/newlinkedinfeature) [\#KeepRockingLinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/keeprockinglinkedin) & [\#TNTBrandStrategist](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/tntbrandstrategist) ► Then check out these resources: 🔘 The First 65+ NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features 2023 PART I: [lnkd.in/eikiHv2B](http://lnkd.in/eikiHv2B) 🔘 The [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Timeline 2003 to 2019 [lnkd.in/e2\_PdMSw](https://lnkd.in/e2_PdMSw) 🔘 100+ NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features 2022 [lnkd.in/eYhzjFjE](http://lnkd.in/eYhzjFjE) 🔘 40+ NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features 2021 [lnkd.in/dsW-Zan](https://lnkd.in/dsW-Zan) 🔘 50+ NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features 2020 [lnkd.in/gP5xGb6](https://lnkd.in/gP5xGb6) 🔘 15+ HIDDEN [LINKEDIN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) RESOURCES: [lnkd.in/dHh2xsa](https://lnkd.in/dHh2xsa) ### If you found these resource of value, please \[Comment\], \[React\] & \[Repost\]. Since 2005, [Kevin D. Turner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/president?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAAeF-oB0P-QQDZ8qa1q6h-qm8KShdplK-o) & [TNT Brand Strategist LLC ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnt-brand-strategist/)has optimized 4800+ Profiles and Company pages with access to internal tools to increase rankings, drive [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) contact, generate 24/7 exposure, and accelerate transitions to dream [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). 50%+ of clients get recruited for their dream opportunities shortly after their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile Optimization. 🔘 200+ Reviews: [Lnkd.In/e4m4WdZQ](http://lnkd.in/e4m4WdZQ) 🔘 5-Star Ratings: [Lnkd.In/gHsr\_Sk9](http://lnkd.in/gHsr_Sk9) 🔘 Services: [Lnkd.In/eibnfq6e](http://lnkd.in/eibnfq6e) Please let us know if we can help you eliminate your Organizational or Personal Blanding™ [\#KeepRockingLinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/keeprockinglinkedin)! [Kevin D. Turner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/president) @ [TNT Brand Strategist LLC](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnt-brand-strategist) ![No alt text provided for this image](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/D5612AQFUbM6jTNgWmw/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/0/1681565096662?e=1691625600&v=beta&t=Vf2JTmYsU93xfXAZLhXGjmcsvdRXwOpPiEwtOBKIzMw) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/doing-research-for-the-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** LinkedIn **Tags:** 90+ NEW LinkedIn Features for 2023 PART II --- ### [It's Not Always What You Know But Who You Know](https://thebiggamehunter.us/its-not-always-what-you-know-but-who-you-know/) **Published:** June 12, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Things have conspired to bring me this article. **Content:** ## It’s Not Always What You Know But Who You Know **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Things have conspired to bring me this article. Last week, I spoke with two clients who landed new roles based on their network. Then I received my copy of Businessweek and read a story about how grads ![knowing-when-to-say-no](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/knowing-when-to-say-no-career-angles0_thumbnail.jpg)find [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) primarily through their networks. Most people tend to think of their network in the context of people they work with and, technically, one of the people did find their new position that way–through a vendor. The vendor was someone who had successfully sold business to his firm and, sensing his unhappiness, asked if he was open to something else. Several months of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) later, a new position was offered. The second person found work though someone they went to college with 25 years before and had barely seen since! Yet that was the stepping stone to a new position. Businessweek points out that information about available [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) remains very limited and that if we rely purely upon job listings you are only learning about a small subset of available [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) just like in the days when newspapers ruled the roost for job listings. “Acquaintances ([weak ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/)) have networks that go beyond a job seeker’s immediate circle (strong ties) Yet the acquaintances know the applicant well enough to vouch for their character.” Such introductions are often far more effective than shooting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) into the black hole of [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). So rather than only answering ads and talking to friends and other members of your immediate circle, stretch yourself and start reaching out to people who in a million years you would never have thought of connecting with. It may pay off for you just like it did for my clients. © 2012 all rights reserved. [***8 Things You Should Do When Starting a Job Search***](https://youtu.be/a4LY5MPvi_c) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Networking **Tags:** It's Not Always What You Know But Who You Know --- ### [Stupid Job Search Mistakes: Not Preparing Your References in Advance](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-job-search-mistakes-not-preparing-your-references-in-advance/) **Published:** June 11, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I used to check references for my clients prior to an offer being extended. Too many people did the stupid thing of not preparing their references for a call. **Content:** ## Stupid Job Search Mistakes: Not Preparing Your References in Advance **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** I used to check references for my clients prior to an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) being extended. Too many people did the stupid thing of no preparing their references for a call. 00:00 Introduction 00:31 A story about a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) 01:30 How to prepare your references Hi. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And people [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) advice and [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) globally, because they make everything so much easier related to their search. I want to talk with you today about one of those stupid [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) or [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that people make much too often. It’s not preparing your references. Let me explain. When I did recruiting, I remember, one of my clients was about to extend an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to someone, asked for three names and numbers of people to contact by way of reference. And my habit was always to check the reference first, before turning it over the client. So I got the names and numbers, called the first reference, terrible. Second reference– terrible but in a different way. Third reference, not particularly good . Matter of fact, mediocre, at [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). I called my client and said, “I’m not sure you should [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) them. Let me explain what I found out,” and went through the three references. I was thanked. I wound up with a lot more business because of my [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/). And I’ll just simply say, for you as a job hunter, not preparing your references in advance that they might be called is one of those dumb [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make way too often. So here’s how to prepare them so this way, you don’t wind up in situations like this person did, where their references are just terrible. So the first thing is give them a heads up that they may be contacted by such and such company, which is going to let them mentally start to prepare for the call and gather any relevant information about your work. Thank them. Thank them at the beginning of your conversation, Thank them at the end of the conversation. Thanking them is important. They’re going out of their way to help you and if you take it for granted, there’s going to come a point where your references are not going to show up for you. Give them a copy of the job description or a quality oral description of the role, emphasizing the specific requirements of it so they can tailor their answers to the specifics of the job. Sing your praises. You want them to sound enthusiastic, and to talk about specific projects you worked on, things that you did to solve problems, your work ethic, anything that ties into the job, but to do it in a way where they sound [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to do it. Enthusiasm on their part goes a long way to be convincing to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) firm that they should [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. Bring them up to date on more recent experiences that you’ve had. It’s rare that you’re going to turn over a reference from your current firm, right? So there may be a gap in their knowledge base about you. And you can say “I understand they went to work for so and so where they were doing such and such and such and such.” And that’s good enough. And again, they’ve got to sound [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/), excited, enthusiastic and positive about you, because otherwise, it’s mediocre. And you never want to turn over mediocre references. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) There is a ton there that’ll help you in the blog. Plus, you can order my video courses, books, and guides. Again, there’s a lot there that will help. Also, while you’re at the site, if you’d like a few questions answered, you can schedule time for what I call a trusted advisor services where you can book time with me for a half hour and I’ll answer your questions. You’ll get a video recording at the end of the session, or for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) if you’re earlier in the process, and you want me to guide you through it, answer your questions, help you with a search. I’m [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to do that. Lastly, connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter). Have a terrific day and be great! ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-14.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** References **Tags:** Checking references, job references, Job Search Mistakes, reference, reference check, Reference checks, reference checks after interview, references, Stupid job search mistakes --- ### [How to Find the Hiring Manager](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-how-to-find-the-hiring-manager/) **Published:** June 11, 2023 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter explains how to circumvent the applicant tracking system and connect with the hiring manager. **Content:** How to Find the [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Manager **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to circumvent the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) and connect with the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager.** ***[Using Poe, ChatGPT and Bard to Find Open Jobs](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jST)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-1024x576.jpg) things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** How to Find the Hiring Manager, Sourcing --- ### [Enjoy Yourself! | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/enjoy-yourself-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/) **Published:** June 10, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** It doesn't take much to enjoy yourself. You don't even need to be good. As long as it is fun for you **Content:** ## Enjoy Yourself! | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** It doesn’t take much to enjoy yourself. You don’t even need to be good. As long as it is fun for you. . . I certainly prove that in this show. ***[What Every Company Looks for When They Hire](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lC)*** I try to spend some time regularly talking about something related to [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). I do that because I think many of us are stuck doing the same things over and ![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/friday-fun149_thumbnail.jpg)over and over again. Life has become dreary. With that in mind, I thought I would do something to make my point about breaking out from that mold. I was with some friends last evening, there were a few people with guitars and playing… And I sang. I used to sing with a band many years ago. My voice isn’t what it once was and it was just fun to let go a little bit. I thought I would annoy you sufficiently by saying an old song. Ready? “Slow down. You moving too fast. You got to make the morning last. Just kicking down the cobblestones. Looking for fun and feeling groovy. “Hello, lamppost. Whatcha knowing? I’ve come to watch her flowers growing. Ain’t ya got no rhymes for me. Feeling groovy. “I got no needs to do. No promises to keep. I’m dappled and drowsy and ready for sleep. But the morning time drops all its petals on me. Life I love you. All is groovy. Now the song ended in a particular way that’s irrelevant. I did this because it was fun for me. What can you do that’s fun for you that you haven’t done in a long time? In one way or another, you’ve gotten the message to “shut up. Do what you’re told. Be well-behaved.” You know, practicing doing this from time to time will help you a lot. For me, it is singing. For you, it may be riding a bike. It doesn’t matter! Just get out and do something that you like! [***How to Choose Keywords and Phrases to Search for in Resumes***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jZ0) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** No BS Coaching Advice Podcast **Tags:** Enjoy yourself --- ### [Using AI in Your Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/using-ai-in-your-job-search/) **Published:** June 9, 2023 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Here are the basic ways to use ChatGPT and Google Bard in your search **Content:** ## Using AI in Your Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Here are the basic ways to use [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) and Google Bard in your search 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Preface 01:21 How to [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) use them 03:23 Summary 03:35 Outro [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) Both Chat GPT and Google Bard can be used in a variety of ways, including job searching. Here are a few suggestions on how you can use them to your advantage. ![robot](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/robot-DALL·E-2023-06-07-13.22.09-make-a-picture-of-a-human-looking-robot-representing-chatgpt-15.png)I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) advice, and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally, because I make things so much easier related to that, and so many other things. Now, here are some ways to use these tools to your advantage. Number one, the premise or the preface to all of this is always be specific with your requests. Write in the chatbot “Act as if you are a fill in the blank.” And the more specific you are, the better results you’re going to get. Give the Chatbot as much information as possible. The more you provide, the better results you’re going to get. And third, be patient. These products are still under development so your answers may not always be perfect. Their answers may not always be perfect. So a couple of things you can do. And I have to say I’ve been liking Bard more recently than I have Chat GPT. And it’s not just simply that, I use the free version of Chat GPT. I just like the results I get from BART a little bit better. So number one is use them to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) companies and job openings. They can help you find companies that could be a good fit for your skills and interests by simply typing in the name of a company or industry and allowing them to generate a list of relevant results. You can use them to search for specific companies. Just type in a title for the job, the location, and any relevant keywords from your background. Let them find roles that make sense for you. [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a zip code as part of the search string, or within X number of miles of a specific zip code to help the tools find things for you. Now not a big fan of using them for writing [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) or [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), because I believe each should be customized for each individual role. And I think most of them will create what are nicknamed hallucinations in what your background might be for the roles. So you’re better off starting with a base [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) of your own, and then tailoring it for each individual job. And the other thing I’ll mention to you that you can use them for is to practice your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) skills. By that I mean, provide a question. Ask them for an answer. But first [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) your answer and simply say, “how do you think that answer might be received by the person who’ll be [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you?” And note the response. How does it compare with what you would [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) as an answer to this question. And you can learn from them too. So I’ll just simply say, [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can be a big help in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). But you have to ask lots of questions and be patient with the products because they’re not completely perfect. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) There is a ton in the blog to help you. Plus you can schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me, find out about my video courses, books and guides. Again, a lot there to help. Also, connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter). Have a terrific day and be great! **[Have Chatgpt Generate a LinkedIn Summary](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jJQ)** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-1024x576.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** Bard, Bard and job search, chat gpt, ChatGPT, ChatGPT and job search, Google Bard and job search, how to use Chat GPT in a job search, how to use chatgpt, machine learning, Using AI in a job search, Using AI in Your Job Search --- ### [Passing The Water Test on an Interview #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/passing-the-water-test-on-an-interview-shorts/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A Reddit thread shared this unusual and IMO stupid test. **Content:** # Passing The Water Test on an Interview #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A Reddit thread shared this unusual and IMO stupid test. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews --- ### [Which Looks Better on a Resume? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/which-looks-better-on-a-resume-shorts/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What looks better on a resume, 8 years at one job and a good recommendation from the manager, or 2 years at four separate jobs with good recommendations from all the managers? **Content:** # **Which Looks Better on a Resume? 8 Years at Job or 2 Years Each at 4 Separate Jobs? #shorts** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/AM3pjuScxRU) What looks better on a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), 8 years at one job and a good recommendation from the manager, or 2 years at four separate [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) with good recommendations from all the managers? ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Which looks better on a resume? --- ### [Your Resume Isn’t Always The First Impression #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** How do people gain that first impression if not your resume? **Content:** # Your Resume Isn’t Always The First Impression #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/rxy9ed2gXvs) How do people gain that [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/) if not your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? **[*“The Importance Of Intergenerational Connection”*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gj7)** ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, #Shorts **Tags:** Your Resume Isn’t Always The First Impression --- ### [No BS Career Advice: September 6 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-september-6-2026/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice offers help with job search, job hunting, career advice, Interviewing, salary negotiation, resumes, and more. The link to the post is in the comments. #opentowork Share it. Leave a comment (at least 15 words). Subscribe. Save it if you don't have the time now. Do something to let people know this was helpful. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bs-career-advice-august-16-2026-jeff-altman-msw-cctc-s2jhe/ **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: September 6 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** As I mentioned the week before, I was off last weekend at one of the men’s retreats I do from time to time. This one was fairly local, about an hour from where I live. It was a wonderful experience with 25 attendees and a staff of 60 supporting them. The role that I’m in allows me a lot of latitude. As a leader emeritus I can do what I want as long as it’s a service to the weekend. Thus, so much of what I was doing was quiet behind-the-scenes stuff: the sport, the act of leadership, and the staff through challenging times. It was delightful. [**Pay Me What I’m Worth: Practical Tactics for Negotiating New Job Offers**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGCZM64T) ***is now available for a limited time for $5.99, more than half off its regular price.*** I just lowered it yesterday so if it does not display that price yet, come back to the page. It will display shortly. ## 15 Minute Micro-actions to Activate Your Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Waiting for the “right time” to manage your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) is the fastest way to lose control of it. Most people stall out because they see [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions as an all-or-nothing proposition. They convince themselves that unless they have an entire afternoon free to dissect their work history or craft dozens of customized [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), taking action isn’t worth the effort. Days slip into weeks, silence turns into [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and inertia takes over. [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) momentum does not require a dramatic overhaul or an empty few hours in your calendar. It operates on the same principle as any complex enterprise project: continuous action. When you stop overthinking the process, fifteen minutes is all the time you need. A single quarter-hour, applied with intent, can uncover priorities, reactivate valuable social capital, and position your background directly in front of the people with the budget to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. Here are four targeted micro-actions you can implement in fifteen minutes or less to jumpstart your [Job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) today. ### 1. Mine Product Release Notes with AI for Operational Pain Points (15 Minutes) When technology companies publish public release notes, changelogs, or update summaries, they are showing the world what they just built and the new headaches they are dealing with. Every major software update creates growing pains, bugs, or integration friction behind the scenes long before a manager posts a job opening to fix it. You don’t need to read through pages of dry technical documentation yourself. Let an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool do the heavy lifting in about three minutes: 1. Copy the text from the company’s recent “What’s New” or release notes page. 2. Paste it into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool like [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) with a straightforward prompt: > *“Here are recent release notes from \[Target Company\]. Based on these updates, what is one operational headache, workflow bottleneck, or data issue this team is likely running into right now? Give me a two-sentence summary written for a team leader.”* 1. Take the AI’s insight, put it into your own natural voice, and send a short message to the department head on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): > *“I saw your team’s recent update rolling out \[New Feature/Update\]. Usually, shifts like that cause a real bottleneck around \[the issue identified by [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/)\]. When we handled a similar transition at my last firm, we put together a simple one-page checklist to keep the rollout on track. Let me know if you’d like me to send it over to your team.”* In fifteen minutes, you’ve used a simple [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) prompt to spot an active problem and position yourself as someone who can solve it. ### 2. Deploy the “Alumni Hiring Manager” Micro-Search (15 Minutes) Reaching out to general alumni networks can yield mixed results, but targeting alumni who are *currently managing teams* and have [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) authority creates an immediate social bridge. Spend 15 minutes running this specific search query inside [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): - Navigate to your university’s official [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page and select the **Alumni** tab. - Enter your target department or leadership level into the search bar (e.g., *“Director of Engineering”* or *“VP of Marketing”*). - Filter by your target geographic market or specific companies on your watchlist. Identify two alumni currently leading teams and send a focused, low-pressure note: > *“Hi \[Name\], I noticed we both graduated from \[University\] and that you’re currently leading the \[Department\] group at \[Target Company\]. I’m currently mapping out my next move in the \[Specialization\] space and tracking your team’s growth. No immediate ask–just wanted to connect with a fellow alum operating in this domain.”* ### 3. Execute a “Comment Posting Strategy (10 Minutes) Writing full-length [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) posts requires hours of [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), drafting, and editing. You can achieve the same visibility in 10 minutes by placing high-density insights inside the comment threads of recognized industry leaders. Find a recent post published by a VP, C-suite executive, or industry analyst in your field that has generated active discussion. Skip a crap comment like “Great post!” or “Couldn’t agree more.” Instead, post a concise, 2 sentence analytical observation that adds direct domain value: > *“Spot-on analysis regarding localized supply chain bottlenecks. In our last regional expansion, we found that decoupling legacy ERP databases in month two was the single highest-leverage move to prevent that exact reporting lag.”* This positions your operational literacy directly in front of the post’s author and everyone reading the thread, driving targeted profile views from peers who actively [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for those exact capabilities. ### 4. Audit Your Profile’s About and Featured Sections (10 Minutes) When [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) click on your profile, the first thing they see below your headline is your About and, hopefully, Featured sections, If your profile displays outdated activity or unoptimized sections, it is a poor digital footprint that doesn’t help you. Spend 10 minutes streamlining your profile’s primary visual real estate: - Re-order your **Featured** section to pin your single highest-value asset (e.g., a 1-page framework [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/), a link to a published whitepaper, or a notable project presentation). - Ensure your **About** section opens with a 2-sentence core value proposition rather than a dense paragraph of personal history. A successful, high-yield [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move isn’t about spending a weekend [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to a ton of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). It is built through small, clinical actions performed with relentless consistency. Stop feeding automated databases. Pick one 15-minute action every morning, execute it cleanly, and force the market to respond to direct, targeted value. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### Books and Guides by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter [***Resumes That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) **O**[***n sale for a limited time at $5.99*** ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) [***“Networkinging for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [***No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [***Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [***101 Ways to Find Job Leads***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [***Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [***Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [***The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [***LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [***Finding a Job After You Graduate College***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [***Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [***The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Profile Strategy in the AI Era***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [***Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [***ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [***Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [***From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [***Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [***Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [***Final Interview Preparation***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [***No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [***Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) All of them cost no more than $12.99. Many are available for 99 cents \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Transition Coach | [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) | Personal [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) | [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and Compensation Negotiation | [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) Networker | [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) member 7653 | I’ve Helped Tens of Thousands of People Find New [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) **Categories:** No BS Career Advice, Text **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: September 6 2026 --- ### [Employment Situation Summary: September 4 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/employment-situation-summary-september-4-2026/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent. **Content:** # Employment Situation Summary: September 4 2026 [US Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm) ``` Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in food services and drinking places and in local government education. The information industry lost jobs. This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor force status, including unemployment, by demographic characteristics. The establishment survey measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. For more information about the concepts and statistical methodology used in these two surveys, see the Technical Note. Household Survey Data The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent in August, and the number of unemployed people changed little at 7.0 million. Both measures changed little over the year. (See table A-1.) Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian declined to 3.2 percent in August. The rate for teenagers edged up to 14.1 percent over the month, mostly offsetting a decline in the prior month. The jobless rates for adult men (4.0 percent), adult women (3.5 percent), and people who are White (3.7 percent), Black (6.0 percent), or Hispanic (4.8 percent) showed little change in August. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.) The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) changed little at 1.9 million in August. The long-term unemployed accounted for 27.0 percent of all unemployed people. (See table A-12.) The labor force participation rate edged up to 61.6 percent in August but is down by 0.5 percentage point since January. The employment-population ratio, at 59.1 percent, changed little over the month and since January. (See table A-1.) The number of people employed part time for economic reasons decreased by 414,000 to 4.4 million in August. These individuals would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been reduced or they were unable to find full-time jobs. (See table A-8.) In August, the number of people not in the labor force who currently want a job changed little at 5.7 million. These individuals were not counted as unemployed because they were not actively looking for work during the 4 weeks preceding the survey or were unavailable to take a job. (See table A-1.) Among those not in the labor force who wanted a job, the number of people marginally attached to the labor force changed little at 1.7 million in August. These individuals wanted and were available for work and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months but had not looked for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. The number of discouraged workers, a subset of the marginally attached who believed that no jobs were available for them, changed little in August at 441,000. (See Summary table A.) Establishment Survey Data Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 162,000 in August, higher than the average monthly gain of 31,000 over the prior 12 months. In August, employment increased in food services and drinking places and in local government education. The information industry lost jobs. (See table B-1.) Employment in food services and drinking places increased by 59,000 in August, well above the average monthly gain of 12,000 over the prior 12 months. Local government education added 42,000 jobs in August, largely offsetting a decrease in the prior month. Local government education has shown little net change since January 2025. In August, employment in manufacturing continued its upward trend (+16,000) and is up by 58,000 since a recent low in December 2025. Employment in machinery manufacturing (+6,000) and in fabricated metal product manufacturing (+6,000) continued trending up in August. Employment in health care continued to trend up in August (+13,000) but at a slower pace than the average monthly gain over the prior 12 months (+32,000). Over the month, home health care services (+11,000) and hospitals (+8,000) added jobs. Information employment declined by 23,000 in August, following losses that had averaged 8,000 per month over the prior 12 months. In August, job losses occurred in computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services (-8,000), in publishing industries (-7,000), and in broadcasting and content providers (-5,000). Construction employment changed little in August (+22,000). Employment in nonresidential specialty trade contractors continued to trend up (+8,000), similar to the average monthly gain over the prior 12 months (+6,000). Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; wholesale trade; retail trade; transportation and warehousing; financial activities; professional and business services; social assistance; and other services. In August, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 10 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $37.75. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.1 percent. In August, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 11 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $32.53. (See tables B-3 and B-8.) The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours in August. In manufacturing, the average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 40.5 hours, and overtime was unchanged at 3.1 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained at 33.8 hours. (See tables B-2 and B-7.) The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised up by 11,000, from +20,000 to +31,000, and the change for July was revised up by 44,000, from -23,000 to +21,000. With these revisions, employment in June and July combined is 55,000 higher than previously reported. (Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.) _____________ The Employment Situation for September 2026 is scheduled to be published on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET). ``` [Employment Situation Summary Table A. Household data, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm) [Employment Situation Summary Table B. Establishment data, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.b.htm) [Employment Situation Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.faq.htm) [Employment Situation Technical Note](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.tn.htm) [Table A-1. Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm) [Table A-2. Employment status of the civilian population by race, sex, and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm) [Table A-3. Employment status of the Hispanic or Latino population by sex and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t03.htm) [Table A-4. Employment status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm) [Table A-5. Employment status of the civilian population 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, and sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm) [Table A-6. Employment status of the civilian population by sex, age, and disability status, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm) [Table A-7. Employment status of the civilian population by nativity and sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t07.htm) [Table A-8. Employed people by class of worker and part-time status](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t08.htm) [Table A-9. Selected employment indicators](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t09.htm) [Table A-10. Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t10.htm) [Table A-11. Unemployed people by reason for unemployment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t11.htm) [Table A-12. Unemployed people by duration of unemployment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t12.htm) [Table A-13. Employed and unemployed people by occupation, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t13.htm) [Table A-14. Unemployed people by industry and class of worker, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t14.htm) [Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t15.htm) [Table A-16. People not in the labor force and multiple jobholders by sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t16.htm) [Table B-1. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector and selected industry detail](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t17.htm) [Table B-2. Average weekly hours and overtime of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t18.htm) [Table B-3. Average hourly and weekly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t19.htm) [Table B-4. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours and payrolls for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t20.htm) [Table B-5. Employment of women on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t21.htm) [Table B-6. Employment of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t22.htm) [Table B-7. Average weekly hours and overtime of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t23.htm) [Table B-8. Average hourly and weekly earnings of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t24.htm) [Table B-9. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours and payrolls for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t25.htm) [Access to historical data for the “A” tables of the Employment Situation News Release](https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsatabs.htm) [Access to historical data for the “B” tables of the Employment Situation News Release](https://www.bls.gov/ces/data/employment-situation-table-download.htm) [HTML version of the entire news release](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.htm) [The PDF version of the news release](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf) **Categories:** The Job Market, Text **Tags:** Employment Situation Summary: September 4 2026 --- ### [Differentiating Yourself #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-differentiating-yourself-2/) **Published:** September 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about job hunting **Content:** # Differentiating Yourself #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/9UgauKDQ79s) A short video about [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the Producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, #Shorts **Tags:** Differentiating Yourself --- ### [Create a Tailored LinkedIn Profile Using AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/create-a-tailored-linkedin-profile-using-ai/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** How to Create a Tailored LinkedIn Profile Using AI **Content:** # Create a Tailored LinkedIn Profile Using AI With credit to The AI News Roundup (You can get a[ free subscription here](https://www.ainewsroundup.com/?utm_source=www.ainewsroundup.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=elon-musk-s-doge-is-working-on-gsai&_bhlid=6a30a49d8c7631444252f1dca6aa011b87850352)) *Optimize my LinkedIn profile for the \[Job Title\] role. Rewrite my headline, about section, and experience descriptions to align with the target position. Present changes in a before-and-after format for each section, with explanations of how each change improves my profile’s appeal. Here’s my LinkedIn profile: \[Paste Profile URL\]. Here’s the job description: \[Paste Job Description\]* The answer won’t be perfect but will be a lot better than staring at a blank screen. [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-september-6-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me LinkedIn: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** Create a Tailored LinkedIn Profile Using AI --- ### [Rejection is Part of the Job Search Process #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/rejection-is-part-of-the-job-search-process-shorts/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Don't take it as defeat. It's part of the process. **Content:** # Rejection is Part of the Job Search Process #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Click here if the video does not play](https://youtube.com/shorts/p91TDIdgVZs) Don’t take it as defeat. It’s part of the process. [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) ## ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3200 episodes. You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* Connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](http://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Mention you listen to the podcast or watch my YouTube channel. [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Going Nowhere? “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** Rejection, #Shorts **Tags:** Rejection is part of the job search process --- ### [Escape the Commodity Trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here is how to pivot from selling replaceable time to selling high-stakes judgment so you become the only logical choice in your market. **Content:** # Escape the Commodity Trap **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The 40-year [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) sprint is dead, and relying on years of service won’t protect you from [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) or cheaper labor. If you keep selling routine labor by the hour, you are setting yourself up to be replaced. Here is how to pivot from selling replaceable time to selling high-stakes judgment so you become the only logical choice in your market. The professional roadmap used to be a 40-year sprint: you graduated, climbed the corporate ladder, and hit a comfortable vice presidency by 45, so you could coast until retirement at 65. But that model was designed for a world where people died at 70. Today, medical science and longevity trends mean many of you will live well into your 90s. Mathematically, a 40-year [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) cannot fund a 30-year retirement, especially with the rising costs of healthcare. You are no longer running a sprint; you’re in a 60-year [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) marathon. Clinging to the old blueprint doesn’t just invite nostalgia, it puts your livelihood in danger by ignoring the reality of the next 30 years. Many professionals believe they’ve reached a safe “inertia zone.” They think their degree, their tenure, and their senior job titles act as a shield against the changing economy. But from a company’s perspective, a senior title is often a target. A CFO sees a veteran employee as a fully burdened labor cost—a high [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) plus the massive overhead of benefits, taxes, and retirement matches. While you rely on your years of service, that same company is looking at the cost of a younger worker with an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) subscription, who can perform 80% of your job for a fraction of the price. If your only strategy is to be more experienced at routine tasks, you’ve turned yourself into an expensive commodity in a market that is rapidly automating your skills. Technical skills—the ability to write code, manage a budget, or operate software—are depreciating assets. They’re being eaten by [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and devalued by global competition. To stay relevant, you have to pivot from selling labor to selling judgment. This is the realm of wisdom: the ability to recognize patterns, maintain gravitas during a crisis, and apply critical thinking to a complex mess. Skills describe how to do something; wisdom determines whether it should be done at all. A skill-based employee waits for a map; a wisdom-based professional draws it. To survive the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) marathon, you must stop selling your replaceable time and start selling your irreplaceable judgment. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) argues being “better” is a [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). It invites a race to the bottom on price. The superior economic strategy is “onlyness.” You move from a generalist title to a niche where you are the only logical choice. This personal monopoly starts with two variables: a specific vertical and a situation—a high-stakes problem costing the company money or reputation. The final component is your mechanism: the unique intervention you use to solve that mess. Consider the shift from a generic senior logistics manager to an M&A integration [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) for temperature-sensitive supply chains. You are no longer 1 candidate in 1,000; you are 1 of 5. Building this moat transforms you. You stop being a beggar waiting for an HR bot to notice your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and become a sought-after professional diagnosing a patient. When you operate with [onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), you don’t apply for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/); you conduct intelligence briefings to trade market data directly with the C-suite as a peer. This leads to the consultation close. You flip the traditional [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) script to determine if the organization’s challenges are actually worth your time to fix. This chart shows the difference in leverage. The blue “Employee” column is managed by a boss, restricted to tasks, and paid for time. The green “Advisor” column is managed by results, focuses on strategy, and is paid for impact. By decoupling your income from your time, you move from being an expense to be managed into a specialized asset paid to secure a high-stakes outcome. The ultimate goal of the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) marathon is intellectual sovereignty. It’s the ability to operate as a company of one, where your value is tied to who you are, rather than the logo on your badge. Stop trying to win a race to the bottom on someone else’s track; build a track where you are the only one running. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles, Text **Tags:** Escape the commodity trap --- ### [How to Have Jobs Come to You #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-have-jobs-come-to-you-jobsearchagram/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this short video, I explain how to have more jobs came to you. **Content:** # How to Have Jobs Come to You **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** In this short video, I explain how to have more [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) came to you. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** How to Have Jobs Come to You --- ### [Whining? Blaming? STOP IT!](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whining-blaming-stop-it/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There is a point in most people's careers where complaining becomes the order of the day. **Content:** # Whining? Blaming? STOP IT! **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** There is a point in most people’s careers where complaining becomes the order of the day. *“I’m not being treated fairly!”* *“I’ve gotten passed over!”* *“The raise I’ve gotten sucks!”* Maybe you’re a job hunter that is hitting their head against a wall. *“I’m not getting interviews!”* *“Recruiters aren’t getting back to me!”* *“I got turned down (again) after that interview!”* You agency recruiters, don’t start feeling so superior. After all, many of you have similar laments. “I don’t have good tools to find candidates!” “My candidate is perfect but (s)he won’t send them to her/his client!” “My clients all suck!” Lest you hiring managers and corporate recruiters get a swelled head . . . *“I’m overworked and don’t have the resources to do what I’m asked to do!”* *“I can’t find any good people!* *“Agencies all suck!”* If you’ve never seen the YouTube video that Bob Newhart did some years ago called, “[Stop It!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcSAQyzPcl0)“, it offers the ideal solution. Stop it. If you work for a firm that treats you inappropriately, you change jobs; if you are an agency recruiter, buy your own tools, don’t work on his or her jobs and get new clients. If you’re a job hunter, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) probably needs work, the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) you sent to the recruiter was little more than spam, or you don’t interview as well as you think you do. If you work in corporate and are overworked, get more resources to help you. If you can’t find any good people, maybe your criteria are faulty and need revision. Maybe the people who are involved with interviewing aren’t being realistic or screening for less important criteria, making the process harder than it need be. And all agencies don’t suck. Usually, they were referred by someone who knew the recruiter and had success. Maybe you aren’t adequately communicating what you require of your new hires or forgetting to teach them how to assess for what you want. After all, you’re too busy and all agencies suck. But, no matter what, stop your whining, blaming and complaining. Take action! ***STOP IT!*** © The Big Game Hunter, Inc. Asheville, NC 2014, 2029, 2025 [***Recession-Proof Your Career – 7 Ways to Make Sure You Land Your Next Job Stress-Free***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-i3i) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-september-6-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. [***Recession-Proof Your Career***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hZ1) **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Recession-Proofing Your Career: Your Focus***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j7p) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** LinkedIn: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***5 Tips For Career Branding That Will Take You Far***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iYD) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles, Text **Tags:** Whining? Blaming? STOP IT! --- ### [The Closed-Loop Referral: Forcing Human Review](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** To bypass the automated knockout rounds entirely, you must execute The Closed-Loop Referral that targets internal advocacy **Content:** # The Closed-Loop Referral: Forcing Human Review **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Corporate [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) portals are not designed to discover your potential. Enterprise databases are built for mass elimination. If you submit your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into the front end of an [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)), your background is systematically flattened into simple text tokens, scored by a rigid algorithm, and buried under hundreds of identical profiles. You do not beat an automated pipeline by trying to out-optimize its keyword weights. You beat it by rendering the machine completely irrelevant. To bypass the automated knockout rounds entirely, you must execute **The Closed-Loop Referral**. This process uses targeted internal advocacy to force the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) to route your file straight to a human hand-off, completely skipping the machine’s elimination filters. ### 1. The Priority Architecture of Enterprise ATS Platforms To break the system, you must understand how human resource software like Workday, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), or Greenhouse prioritizes incoming data. The database does not treat all submissions equally; it segments pipelines through a strict hierarchy of internal priority: - **Tier 1 (Internal Employee Referrals):** Sourced directly through an active employee’s internal portal. The software routes these directly to the recruiter’s manual review dashboard, giving them the highest priority and skipping automated keyword filters entirely. - **Tier 2 (Direct [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Sourcing):** Originates from direct [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) outreach or manual profile pulls on platforms like [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). These carry medium priority and move straight to initial human screening calls. - **Tier 3 (Public Portal Submissions):** Submitted through standard online job boards and corporate [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pages. These receive the lowest priority, running through automated keyword screening and mass [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) rules before a human ever sees them. When an internal employee submits your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) attaches a permanent tracking tag to your profile. In almost all standard corporate software configurations, this tag **overrides the automated keyword scoring threshold**. The software flags the profile as a priority asset and drops it directly onto the recruiter’s active manual review dashboard. ### 2. Referral Arbitrage: Aligning Corporate Incentives Most professionals hesitate to hunt for internal referrals because they view it as an imposition. They assume they are asking a stranger or a loose connection for an unearned personal favor. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of corporate incentive structures. Modern enterprises suffer from intense talent acquisition friction and expensive agency fees. To combat this, companies [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) substantial internal referral bonuses to their employees, frequently ranging from $1,000 to over $5,000 for specialized or technical roles, payable if the person is hired and hits a 90 day milestone. When you approach someone inside a target company, you are not asking for charity. You are presenting them with a high-probability financial arbitrage opportunity and increasing their internal social capital. You are an asset; they are simply the router. ### 3. Executing the Systemic Bypass To turn an internal contact into a human router who will upload your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), eliminate 100% of the operational friction from the transaction. Never ask an employee to “keep an eye out for open roles” or “let me know if you hear of anything.” That requires cognitive labor they will not perform. Instead, locate the exact requisition ID number of the active role you want, verify that you possess the baseline core technical requirements, and deliver a completely packaged asset. - **Step 1:** Isolate a peer-level contact within the functional department at the target company via your network. - **Step 2:** Initiate contact by validating their recent work or commenting on a known structural shift in their specific department. - **Step 3:** Deploy the low-friction routing request: > *“I’m preparing to submit an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) for the \[Exact Job Title\] role under Requisition #\[Number\]. I know how corporate routing pipelines operate, and I want to ensure my file bypasses the standard public keyword filters to hit the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team cleanly. If your firm runs an internal referral portal, would you be open to dropping my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into the system directly? I’ve aligned my background explicitly with the core infrastructure needs of the department to ensure it reflects well on whoever routes it.”* When you present the request with this level of transparency, you signal professional maturity. The employee does not have to write a recommendation letter or vouch for your character; they simply have to upload your text file into their internal portal, claim their referral tracking tag, and let the software work in your favor. ### The Bottom Line The [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is only a barrier if you choose to play within its digital sandbox. Stop letting an unyielding relational database dictate whether a human being reads your execution timeline. Format your documents for baseline text compliance, but focus your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) entirely on getting the internal tag that neutralizes the algorithm. Find the open requisition, align your incentives with an internal peer, and force the software to place your file directly on the desk where the decision is made. **Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026** **Categories:** Referrals, Networking **Tags:** The Closed-Loop Referral: Forcing Human Review --- ### [How to Apply for a New Job After You’ve Been Fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Based on the article of the same name by Rebecca Knight in Harvard Business Review⁠, we're going to look at how to do that and two case studies of people who were able to bounce back successfully. **Content:** # How to Apply for a New Job After You’ve Been Fired **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3025 [⁠Based on the article of the same name by Rebecca Knight in Harvard Business Review⁠](https://hbr.org/2017/12/how-toapplyfor-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired), we’re going to look at how to do that and two case studies of people who were able to bounce back successfully. Welcome back, everybody, to The Deep Dive. We are div ing into something, well, I think a lot of people have experienced at least once in their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/): how to bounce back after [being fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/). Oh, yeah. And we’re going deep with a Harvard Business Review article. We’ve also got two real-world case studies of people who took, well, this really tough situation and actually turned it into something better. That’s great. Yeah. So if you’re in this boat right now or, you know, just want to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/), you know, just in case, we’ve got some really good tips and strategies coming up. You know, what’s really fascinated me about this topic is it’s not just about, you know, finding a new job. It’s it’s really about understanding, I guess, all the kind of emotions and also the steps involved, you know, to make this whole transition work well. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s a process. Absolutely. Okay, so this HBR article, it kicks off by saying that, like, even before you start working on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you need to understand what went wrong in that last role. They actually call it a post-firing autopsy, which sounds a little intense. Yeah. Yeah. But I I get what they’re saying. Yeah, it is. It’s really about taking a step back. I think first from the immediate sting of [being fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/), and then looking at it objectively. And I think instead of, you know, getting all paranoid, you know, or defensive, it’s a time to ask yourself some hard questions. Like, were there were there patterns in [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) you got? Did your skills and, you know, what the role needed, did they really match up? Yeah. Yeah, makes a lot of sense. I’m curious, have you have you ever had to do this kind of like deep dive after a professional setback? What were some of those those questions that kind of helped you see things more clearly? Oh, absolutely. I think one of the most uh I guess one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) questions I asked myself was, what were like those early warning signs that maybe I missed? Oh, interesting. And this really helped me identify, like, patterns or behaviors that that I was doing that contributed to the whole thing. Another thing that helped me was reaching out to, you know, trusted mentors, old colleagues, and getting their perspective. Sometimes, you know, someone outside the situation can see things that, you know, you just can’t see yourself. It’s so interesting. You know, this article, it even suggests going to HR for [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Oh. Well, I never would have thought of that. It might seem a little strange. Yeah. But, you know, HR, they they often have a wider view of how the company works. Yeah. And they they can provide some good insights. I think they can help you understand the reasons behind the decision. Mm. They might even shed some light on, you know, areas where you could grow. Okay, so we’ve done that. Like, internal work, we’ve got some clarity. Right. Now the article really emphasizes pacing yourself. Yeah, that’s huge. I think it’s so tempting to just jump right back into looking for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Sure. You know, to feel in control again. Right. But rushing those [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) before you’ve really processed everything, like that can actually hurt you. I can see that. Like you’re probably not putting your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) foot forward in those [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), like if you’re still, you know, emotionally raw. Exactly. I mean, think about it. You know, you’re talking to a friend Yeah. about a tough breakup. Do you Do you want them to go jump into a new relationship the next day? Probably not. Yeah. It takes time to heal, process those feelings. Same thing with losing a job. Yeah, I I I get that. So how do we how do we balance processing and action? What are some signs we’re, you know, finally ready to engage our network or, you know, start [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/)? Yeah. I would say you’re ready when you can talk about what happened Yeah. without getting defensive or super emotional. So you’ve had time to reflect, you understand what you want to do differently going forward, Yeah. and you’re genuinely, you know, excited about those possibilities ahead. That’s a really good point. It’s about using that time to build your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and clarity, and not just rushing to, like, fill the void. Right. The article also talks about using this time to figure out the right fit for you. You know, what what does that actually look like? Think of it as, you know, fine-tuning your personal job description, like what kind of work environment helps you do your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). What are your non-negotiables in terms of company culture and, you know, their values? Do you do better in a super-structured environment or do you need more autonomy? By figuring out your ideal fit, you can target your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) much better. It makes me think about when I first graduated, you know, I applied for everything and ended up in a role that, on paper, it looked great, Yeah. but personality-wise, it was a terrible fit. I was miserable. So I totally get what you’re saying about, you know, being really intentional about finding the right environment. It’s so crucial, and I think if the firing was due to personality, you know, clashing, or the culture wasn’t a good fit, Mhm. this step’s even more important. That’s a great point. Okay, so we’ve analyzed what happened, we’ve paced ourselves, and we’ve defined that ideal fit. What’s next on the HBR checklist? Well, once you’re ready to start looking at opportunities, it’s time to leverage your network. Okay, but hold on a sec. I want to hear from you, the listener. Have you ever done this like post-firing deep dive we’ve been talking about? Yeah. What did you learn, and how did it change your next [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move? We’d love to hear all about it. Okay, back to the article. It says it’s super important to get those strong references before you start [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Okay. Right, because it’s way easier to ask for references when the experience is fresh in everyone’s minds. Plus, getting them lined up early just makes [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) so much smoother. And the article gives a really good tip: tell your network exactly what kind of help you need. Well, that’s smart. So instead of just saying, “Hey, I need a job,” Right. be specific. Yeah. Tell them the roles you’re looking at, the companies, you know, even the kind of support you need. Yeah, being specific, I think, helps people help you. You know, they they’re more likely to go the extra mile For sure. if they know exactly what you need. Okay, let’s talk about crafting your narrative. Mm. Specifically, how do we address the elephant in the room, you know, the firing? How do we put that on our [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/)? Yeah, this is where we shift from understanding the past to shaping the future. Yeah. Okay. And the article suggests acknowledging that last job, but, you know, don’t dwell on it. So, no gory details, Right. but we’re not hiding it either. Exactly. You want to keep the focus on your accomplishments and, you know, skills that you can bring to a new role. Instead of listing reasons why you left, use that space to highlight your goals Yeah. Okay. and how this new role fits into where you want to go. That makes sense. Okay, here’s the big question: how do we talk about [being fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/) in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)? [Honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/) and preparation are key. You need to have a clear, concise explanation ready, Okay. tailored to why you left. Okay, so what does that actually look like? This article gives scripts for different scenarios, which is super helpful. Like if you were fired for not meeting [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/), they say to be absolutely, searingly honest. Right. In that situation, it’s about taking responsibility, explaining what you learned, and emphasizing what you’ve done to make sure it doesn’t happen again. You’re not making excuses. Yeah. It’s about showing accountability Yeah. and that you can grow. We’ll get to those [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) scripts in more detail later, but first, tell us: what’s your experience with [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) after losing a job? Got any tips for making those conversations less awkward or, you know, just more productive? Let us know on social media using #TheDeepDive. You know, it’s interesting, the article actually has different strategies for explaining that firing depending on why it happened. Mm. Like if it was because you weren’t meeting your [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/), owning up to it and showing what you’ve learned is key. But if it was something more serious, Yes. Yeah. Okay. the approach changes. That’s really interesting. So there’s no one-size-fits-all script. What do they recommend for, like, uh, if someone was let go because of a big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)? In those cases, they say to focus on showing that you’re truly sorry and that you’ve taken concrete steps to learn and grow from it. Mm. Mm. You know, it’s about showing that you understand how serious it was and that you’ve worked hard to become a better professional. So less explaining and more proving you’ve changed. Exactly. It’s about showing how committed you are to personal and professional development. Mm. Now for situations like personality clashes or just different work styles, the article says to avoid being negative. Right. No badmouthing old bosses or coworkers, but how do you explain that without sounding like you’re blaming them? It’s about focusing on the mismatch itself. Yeah. You can explain that your styles or approaches were just fundamentally different Right. and that it wasn’t a good fit for either of you. You can even talk about what you learned about your own preferences from that and how that’ll help you find a more compatible environment next time. Mm. That’s a really smart way to frame it. It takes the focus off blame and puts it on, you know, self-awareness, growth. Right. Exactly. Okay, I know the article also dives into those real-world case studies Yes. so we mentioned before. I’m curious to see how these tips actually worked for people. Let’s start with Kimberly. Remember, she was let go from her digital media lead position. Yeah, after only 9 months. Yeah. Tough situation. Mm. But she used a lot of the strategies we’ve talked about to turn things around. What did she do? Well, first, she took time to really think about what happened. Mm. She realized that while she was good at digital marketing, PR was where her passion was. Mm. And even though getting fired was hard, it helped her figure that out. So she used that time to process everything, but also to figure out what she really wanted to do. Yes, exactly. And then she was strategic about using her network. Okay. She reached out to an old professor who had connections in PR. But here’s the important part: she didn’t just ask for a job. Oh, interesting. She was very clear that she wanted advice and informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) to learn more about the field. That’s so smart. It’s way easier to get people to help you if they know exactly what you need. Exactly. And in her [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), she talked about the firing confidently, framing it as a learning experience that helped her find her true [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path. She didn’t focus on the negative; she highlighted the positive takeaways Yeah. and how they connected to her goals. And it worked. She got a new job in corporate PR in just a few weeks. That’s a pretty fast turnaround. It really is. It shows how being proactive, thinking strategically, and turning that setback into an opportunity can make a difference. It’s impressive. Yeah. And then let’s talk about Derek. He was let go from his VP position after his company got acquired. Right. And it sounds like he took a slightly different approach. He did. Instead of jumping into [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), he focused on informal [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). He reached out to friends, old colleagues, even people he hadn’t talked to in years. His goal wasn’t to get job leads. He wanted to process his emotions, gain some perspective, and refine his story. So he used those conversations as a way to sort of, like, test out his [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and feelings? Exactly. And it was during those talks that he realized that even though getting fired was upsetting, it didn’t mean he wasn’t good at his job. Mm. It happened because the company was changing direction with the new owners. That helped him explain his departure in a neutral, factual way in later [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Mm. Yeah, finding a way to tell your story honestly and positively without dwelling on the past is huge. It shows [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/). It shows that you’re focused on the future. Derek also [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) really well for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). He practiced his answers to questions about the firing over and over until he felt confident and comfortable. And did that strategy work for him? Absolutely. He landed a new role that was a much better fit for his skills and experience Yeah. within 3 months. Now, we haven’t gone into detail about those [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) scripts yet, but before we do, I’d love to hear from our listeners: what parts of Kimberly’s or Derek’s stories resonate with you? Have you taken similar steps to deal with professional setbacks in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/)? Let us know on social media with #TheDeepDive. We want to hear what you’ve experienced. Now let’s get into those [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) scripts the article provides. I think it will be really useful for anyone who’s feeling nervous about talking about their firing. Okay, let’s break them down by different scenarios. First, let’s say you were fired for not hitting your goals. What does the article suggest? They say to be what they call absolutely, searingly honest. It might sound a bit dramatic, but it’s about taking responsibility for what happened. So, no sugarcoating, no excuses. Right. You acknowledge that you didn’t meet expectations, you explain what led to that, and you highlight what you learned from it. It’s about showing accountability and that you’ve grown. Can you give us an example of how that might actually sound in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Sure. You could say something like, “In my last role, I didn’t meet the goals that were set for me. I take full responsibility for that. Since then, I’ve thought about what I could have done differently, and I’ve come up with strategies to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This experience taught me a lot, and I’m confident that I could exceed expectations in this role.” That’s a really good example. It’s honest, it’s direct, and it shows you’ve taken the time to learn from what happened. Exactly. And it moves the conversation from the past to the future, highlighting your commitment to getting better. Okay. Now what if the firing was due to something more serious? That’s definitely trickier. The article says the most important thing is to show that you’re truly sorry and to outline the specific actions you’ve taken to address the issue and prevent it from happening again. So again, it’s l[e](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093QF4JSY)ss about explaining and more about proving you’ve changed. Exactly. You’re showcasing your commitment to growth, both personally and professionally. For instance, you might say, “I made some serious [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) in my previous position, and I really regret the impact they had. I’ve taken full responsibility for my actions, and I’ve been working hard to learn and grow from this. I’ve” And then you insert specific steps you’ve taken like professional development, therapy, anything relevant. “And I’m confident I’m a stronger and more responsible professional now because of it.” That’s a powerful statement. You’re acknowledging the seriousness of what happened without dwelling on it. You’re focusing on the positive changes you’ve made and the lessons you’ve learned. Right. It shows you’ve taken real steps to fix the problem and become a better version of yourself. Now, for things like personality conflicts or just different work styles, the article suggests a different approach. Okay, I’m interested in this one. How do you explain that kind of situation without badmouthing your old boss or coworkers? You focus on the fact that it was a mismatch. Okay. You emphasize your ways of working or your approaches were just fundamentally different Yeah. Yeah. and, ultimately, it just wasn’t the right fit for anyone. So keep it factual, no blame. Exactly. A good way to put it could be, “My last role wasn’t the ideal environment for me. We had different ways of approaching work, and in the end, it was [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) for both of us to move on. Since then, I’ve learned how important it is to find a workplace that matches my values and style, and I’m confident I can really contribute in a setting where collaboration and open communication are prioritized.” That’s a great example. You’re focusing on the incompatibility instead of pointing fingers or being negative. Right. It frames the experience in a way that highlights your self-awareness and your desire to find the right environment. Okay, what if your last job was short-term, like a project-based role? Ah, yes. The article suggests talking about it as a project rather than a job. Okay. This frames it more positively and emphasizes the specific skills and things you achieved. So instead of saying, “I was let go after 3 months,” you say, “I successfully completed a 3-month project focused on X, Y, and Z.” Precisely. And then you can connect the skills and experience from that project to what this new role requires. For example, you might say, “During that project, I gained expertise in,” and then list relevant skills, “which I think would be valuable to your team.” That’s a great way to turn a potential negative into a positive. It highlights your achievements and shows that you’re looking for a long-term commitment. Right. It’s all about finding the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to present your experience. Okay. We’ve covered a lot: analyzing the firing, pacing ourselves, finding the right fit, using our network, crafting our narrative, and even mastering the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). But there’s one crucial piece we haven’t really dug into: staying positive. It’s a fantastic point. All the planning and strategizing won’t mean much if you’re not taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally. Absolutely. It’s so easy to get discouraged during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), especially after [being fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/). But staying positive is essential, not just for you to feel okay, but also for your chances of getting that dream job. I couldn’t agree more. It’s important to remember that this whole process, especially after a firing, can be a marathon. There will be ups and downs. Okay, so how do we keep that positive attitude when we’re dealing with [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/), uncertainty, and all that pressure to find a new job? The article gives some practical tips, right? It does. It stresses the importance of self-care, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, having hobbies and doing things you enjoy, and leaning on your support system. Okay, so let’s break those down. Self-care, what does that look like during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)? It’s about making your mental and emotional well-being a priority. It could be simple things like taking breaks from [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) Yeah. to do something you love, like reading, going for a walk, or spending time with people you care about. It’s about giving yourself permission to recharge and come back with a fresh perspective. That makes a lot of sense. It’s easy to get so focused on the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) that you forget to take care of yourself, but you’re right: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We need to pace ourselves and look after our well-being. Precisely. Then there’s maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly can have a huge impact on how you feel and how much [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) you have. Oh, for sure. When I’m stressed or down, exercise is usually the first thing to go, but I always regret it. I feel so much better afterward. It’s like hitting a reset button. It is, and it’s not just about physical health. It’s about feeling mentally clear and resilient. Okay, what about pursuing those hobbies and activities we enjoy? How does that help with the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)? It helps you stay balanced and connected to things you’re passionate about outside of work. It reminds you that you’re more than just your job title. It can spark creativity and give you fresh ideas. Right. When I feel stuck or discouraged, doing something creative like painting or playing music really helps me shift my perspective and come back to the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with fresh eyes. Exactly. And last but not least, don’t underestimate the power of your support system. Talk to your friends, family, mentors, anyone who can [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) encouragement, a different viewpoint, or just a listening ear. That is crucial. Having people who believe in you and remind you of your worth can make all the difference. It really can. And remember to celebrate the small wins along the way. Each [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), each [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) connection, each positive interaction is a step forward. I love that. It’s about recognizing your progress no matter how small, and acknowledging the effort you’re putting in. Absolutely. Okay, we’ve talked a lot about the emotional side of things, but there’s a practical aspect to staying positive during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), too. You’re absolutely right. It’s about focusing on what you can control and taking steps to keep moving forward. So what can we do to keep that momentum going? The article suggests setting realistic goals, tracking your progress, and celebrating your achievements. Break down the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) into smaller, manageable tasks, and concentrate on what you can get done each day. That’s a good strategy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look at the big picture, but breaking it down into smaller steps makes it feel more doable. Exactly. And keeping track of your progress is important. Write down the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) you’ve applied for, the people you’ve networked with, the [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) you’ve had. It helps you stay organized and gives you a visual reminder of all the [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) you’re doing. I love using to-do lists and tracking my progress. It’s motivating and makes me feel like I’m actually accomplishing things. It’s a really good way to stay on track and remind yourself of how far you’ve come. And don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Every step forward is worth celebrating. I love that. Celebrating those wins, even the little ones, keeps us positive and motivated. It does. And remember, this is a journey. Mm. There will be ups and downs, but with the right attitude and effort, you’ll find the perfect opportunity for you. Yeah, it’s a good reminder that this [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), it’s a process. Right. And there are going to be bumps along the way. Yeah. But, you know, Kimberly and Derek’s stories show us it’s really how we handle those setbacks Yeah. that makes all the difference. Absolutely. Being resilient is so important. It’s about bouncing back from those rejections, Yeah. you know, learning from any [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), and just keep putting yourself out there. You know, the article also suggests that, like, staying active in your field can really help, like doing freelance work, consulting, or even volunteering. That’s a really good point. It not only keeps those skills sharp and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) updated, Yeah. but it also shows that you’re committed to your field, and it helps you stay connected to your network. It’s like you’re saying, “Hey, I’m not just waiting around for the phone to ring. I’m out here, you know, doing things, being engaged.” Exactly. It shows initiative, a proactive attitude, and those are things [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) really value. And speaking of initiative, the article also talks about using this time to, like, invest in yourself, in your professional development, like taking classes, workshops, maybe getting a certification. That’s a fantastic idea. Yeah. Not only will it boost your skills and knowledge, but it shows that you’re dedicated to growing and that you’re willing to invest in yourself. It signals to potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) that you’re serious about your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and you want to keep getting better. And it can be a great way to boost your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), too, you know, knowing that you’re actively learning new things Right. and staying ahead of the curve. Absolutely. It’s about taking charge of your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and investing in your future. Okay, we’ve talked about, you know, the emotional side of things, the practical strategies, and we’ve got those great examples from Kimberly and Derek. But before we wrap up, I want to touch on one more thing that’s so important: keeping things in perspective. That’s a crucial point. Mm. It’s easy to get caught up in all the [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) of the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), but you got to remember, it’s just one part of your life. Yeah, it doesn’t define you Right. or, you know, determine your worth. Exactly. Keep things in perspective and focus on the bigger picture: your values, your passions, what you ultimately want to achieve. And remember to celebrate those wins, even the small ones. Appreciate all the effort you’re putting in, and enjoy the journey. And most importantly, believe in yourself. You have so much to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), unique talents and skills, and that perfect opportunity is out there waiting for you. That’s a great way to put it. Well, I hope this deep dive has given you some valuable insights and some strategies you can use to bounce back after a job loss. Remember, you’re not alone in this. With the right mindset and the right approach, you can turn this setback into something even better. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep believing in yourself. Love it. And if you’re feeling inspired, share your own stories and tips on social media using #TheDeepDive. We love hearing from you and learning from your experiences. Until next time, keep diving deep. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Fired, #Shorts, Applying for a Job, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** How to Apply for a New Job After You’ve Been Fired --- ### [Have You Been Laid Off After a Long Time With One Company?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/have-you-been-laid-off-after-a-long-time-with-one-company/) **Published:** September 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I was talking to someone yesterday. He spent almost 30 years with their current firm before they pushed around. You don’t have to rush back. **Content:** # Have You Been Laid Off After a Long Time With One Company? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/4USen7agLQg) I was talking to someone yesterday. He spent almost 30 years with their current firm before they pushed around. You don’t have to rush back. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***The Mechanics of the Job Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-rv) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Laid Off, #Shorts --- ### [When You Have a Problem, You Go to an Expert #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Experts will save you time and help you get results. You know that. **Content:** # When You Have a Problem, You Go to an Expert #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/ni4i9KM8Gak) Experts will save you time and help you get results. You know that. ***[When a Manager Doesn’t Intervene](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lv6)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***The Mechanics of the Job Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-rv) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, #Shorts **Tags:** When You Have a Problem You Go to an Expert --- ### [Unemployment Running Out? Need to Find Something? Applying for Jobs?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/unemployment-running-out-need-to-find-something-applying-for-jobs-shorts/) **Published:** March 2, 2025 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Here's what to do to get more responses to your resume. **Content:** # Unemployment Running Out? Need to Find Something? Applying for Jobs? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Here’s what to do to get more responses to your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/). ![optimism-about-returning-to-work-hasnt-met-reality-for-COVID-unemployed](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/optimism-about-returning-to-work-hasnt-met-reality-for-COVID-unemployed-300x200.jpg) ***[Be Open on LinkedIn and Elsewhere](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lwt)*** If you apply for a job, it takes them six seconds or less to decide whether or not the interview you. Make the fit obvious within one page down of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) so this way you get more interviews [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-september-6-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Recruiters Are Not Your Friends***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5OS) He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me LinkedIn: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) *****[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)***** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** Unemployment Running Out Need to Find Something Applying for Jobs --- ### [Not A Lot of People Find Jobs through Job Boards #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/not-a-lot-of-people-find-jobs-through-job-boards-shorts/) **Published:** September 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** It's true. Not a lot of people find jobs from job boards. **Content:** # Not A Lot of People Find Jobs through Job Boards #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/mluJPaU3K_A) It’s true. Not a lot of people find jobs from job boards. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-september-6-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Recruiters Are Not Your Friends***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5OS) He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me LinkedIn: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) *****[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)***** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Boards, #Shorts **Tags:** Not A Lot of People Find Jobs through Job Boards --- ### [Resume Mistakes: Creative Writing in Your Resume #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-creative-writing-in-your-resume-shorts/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** People feel almost compelled to make this mistake and, with the exception of one field, employers won't like it. **Content:** # Resume Mistakes: Creative Writing in Your Resume \#shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/ZzGmmtpCBLQ) People feel almost compelled to make this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and, with the exception of one field, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) won’t like it. [***Recruiters Are Not Your Friends***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5OS) ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Resume Mistakes: Creative Writing in Your Resume --- ### [The 7 Deadly Sins of Interviewing: A Bonus Sin!](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-7-deadly-sins-of-interviewing-a-bonus-sin/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I recently covered the 7 Deadly Sins of Interviewing but want to add this additional one. **Content:** # **The 7 Deadly Sins of Interviewing: A Bonus Sin!** ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)**** I recently covered the 7 Deadly Sins of [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) but want to add this additional one. 00:00 Introduction 00:29 The sin 01:24 Outro ***[The 7 Deadly Sins of Interviewing: Not Researching Who Is On Your Calendar](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k5a)*** I just finished a number of videos on the Seven Deadly Sins of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) and I want to add one more bonus sin. And that’s the sin of forgetting that [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is like a theater performance. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) advice and [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) globally, because I make things so much easier for people. Now, [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) are not a flat recitation of facts. As a matter of fact, competence is only one criterion used when evaluating someone. The others include [self-confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), character, chemistry, [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/), that you care, that you can connect with you because for them, they want to trust the person they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). If you only provide a recitation of facts and experiences, without taking time to engage the audience like actors do, you’re giving them only one reason to choose you– your competence. The others, the emotional connection with you, are also important. Neglecting them will cause you to be rejected far more often than you should. Remember, the skills needed to find a job are different than those needed to do a job. They complement one another. But without these soft skills, you’re not going to get hired. So I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) There’s a ton in the blog that can help you. Plus you can schedule time for a free introductory call, schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), find out about my video courses, books and guides. Again, there’s a lot there that will help. Also connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter). Have a terrific day and be great! ***[The 7 Deadly Sins of Interviewing: Thinking That You Know What They’re Looking For](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k4X)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** interviewing is a performance, Interviewing is like a theater performance, job interview, job interview advice, Job Interview Mistakes, Stupid Interview Mistakes, The 7 Deadly Sins Of Interviewing --- ### [The 7 Deadly Sins Of Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-7-deadly-sins-of-interviewing/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** With layoffs occurring globally and interviews more precious, it is very important to treat each one like a treasure. **Content:** # The 7 Deadly Sins Of Interviewing ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** **With layoffs occurring globally and [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) more precious, it is very important to treat each one like a treasure. After all, you never know when the next one will occur and whether it will be one that will truly help you and your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/).** Yet people keep committing these sins year after year and cost themselves opportunities that result in embarrassment. No one likes to tell their wife/husband/partner/kids/friends/former colleagues or anyone that they didn’t get the job they interviewed for. They don’t want to start lying to others about your prospects only to let them down and feel like you disappointed them.![two man with eye glasses](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/341119_044970954de443d19a215847a5f89026~mv2.jpg)Yet that is the story that I’ve heard for years as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and now as a coach. The story of being disappointed and letting others down and feeling ashamed of doing so. As a result, I decided to share what I think of as “The 7 Deadly Sins of Interviewing” with the hope that we can head off some of these situations. None of these “sins” deal with skills competence. You either have the skills and experience or don’t. However, most people are not rejected for that. They are rejected for these. ## 1. The sin of thinking you know what they are looking for For most positions, job descriptions are not generated. They are reactivated after a resignation, not updated, and used because it was previously approved, saving the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager time. Even when created by an [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) firm after exhaustive conversations with their client, once [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) begins, the thinking about the search requirements may evolve yet the job description or search document may not be updated. That leaves you thinking you know what they are looking for when you don’t. It’s why I recommend that rather than passively waiting for them to tell you about the role which will usually occur at the end of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) when you ask about it (but after they’ve already decided whether they are interested in continuing discussions with you), start the discussion with them by asking them about the role. “Thank you for meeting with me today. I saw the position description (or Rajiv or Rhona from the [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) told me about the role), but I wanted to get your take on it. Would you tell me about the position as you see it and what I can do to help?” This way, you hear their current thinking about the position at the beginning of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) so you can talk about what you’ve done that matters to them and not just talk about what you’ve done. ## 2. The sin of failing to connect the dots They want to know why you’re qualified to do the job, and how your skills and experience match up to the requirements. When you don’t make this easy for them, if you don’t tee it up, it isn’t an important part of your experience. Most firms prefer people who do what they need all the time and not as something ancillary to their primary tasks. Before your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), take some time to really read the job description and understand what the company is looking for. Then, think about how your own experience can help you succeed in this role. Then, using my advice about asking about the role at the beginning of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you can connect the dots for them with each answer to a question they ask. There is a difference in how you speak with a talent acquisition person, a member of staff, a manager, a leader, and a Board member. Each has a different perspective for the role and what they will want to accomplish in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). In addition, knowing their background may afford you an opportunity to connect with someone who knows them, what their likes are and their “pet peeves.” Never walk into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) without knowing the background and role of the person or people you’ll meet with. “Who will I be meeting with?” “A few people on the team?” “What are their names?” “Sheila, Ho, and Dan.” “What are their full names, please? I want to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) them online and what they do.” It’s that simple. ## 4. The sin of not preparing stories in advance of the interview that relate to the job as you understand it Too often, people go to an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) unprepared to answer any question that -starts off asking, “Tell me about a time when you … “ You read an ad and applied. A [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) or recruiting firm contacted you and forwarded a job description. You have an idea about the job because your former co-worker told you about it. You know the basics of the job. Prepare at least three stories in advance of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) that at a minimum fit the STAR framework (Situation or Task, Action, Result as measured by money earned, money saved, or percentage improvement over what was previously done). This way, you avoid the pressure of having to come up with a story while they are staring at you. People’s nerves often get the better of them under those circumstances in the form of forgetting the most relevant story they could have told and delivering a far weaker one. Remember, once they tell you about the job at the beginning of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), if there is a reason to [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) it based on the new information, do it. ## 5. The sin of not sizing someone up when you meet them When we meet someone socially or in most professional situations, we immediately size them up and deal with them as we presuppose them to be. However, because it’s about a **job**, my **[career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/)**, and it’s **important**, most people paralyze the very quality that makes them most successful in an interview—their personality. By hiding behind being **proffessional**, and “feeling out the interviewer,” people waste the first few minutes of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and making a strong impression when the interviewer is often making a decision about whether to pay attention to the rest of your conversation. When you meet people in almost any other situation is right. Trust your instincts here, too. ## 6. The sin of trusting that what they are telling you is true People go into [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) believing what they are told. “This is a great team of people. We do exciting work. Have I mentioned we’re like family here?” The families that are in holiday movies who want to kill one another? That kind of family? “Why did the last person leave?” “They left for a better opportunity. “What made it a better opportunity?” I am waiting for the first honest person to say, “They wouldn’t have to work with me.” “They wouldn’t have to work with my staff.” “They were finally paid fairly.” They all wear [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) smile button faces, look you in the eye and lie to you. Find a former subordinate on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or Google and contact them. They do reference checks. This is your version of checking references. ## **7. The sin of not having basic questions prepared to ask about the job and their expectations for you** A former client took a position where he inherited a project from someone who left having spent 80% of the budget yet delivering only 20% of the work. No one volunteered the truth to him. He would have been the fall guy for the project had I not gotten him out first. Try to ask clarifying questions about things that seem incongruent to you. Ask about their expectations for you for the first 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and after a year. Ask about resources available to you and, if you are in a manager or senior leadership role, what the caliber of the staff you’ll be inheriting is. Make sure you have the authority to replace people who fail to perform. If something seems impossible to do within the timeline afforded to you, unless you are desperate to return to work, don’t accept an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). ## **Here’s one bonus sin.—The sin of forgetting that interviewing is like a theater performance** [Job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) are not a recitation of facts. As a matter of fact, competence is only one criterion used when evaluating someone. The others include [self-confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), character, chemistry, [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/), that you care, that they can connect with you because, for them, they want to trust the person they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). If you only provide a recitation of facts and experiences with taking time to engage the audience like actors do, you are giving them only one reason to choose you—your competence. The others, the emotional connection with you, are also important. Neglecting them will cause you to be rejected far more often than you should. The skills needed to find a job are different but complement those needed to do a job. Avoiding these deadly sins will help you land your next role much faster and, more importantly, have you working at a firm where you can succeed. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2022, 2026 **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[Do What Recruiters Do](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** The 7 Deadly Sins Of Interviewing --- ### [The Speed Game: Why Early Resumes Win](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speed-game-why-early-resumes-win/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In today’s AI-flooded market, recruiters fill shortlists within the first 48 hours and stop reading the pile. **Content:** # The Speed Game: Why Early Resumes Win **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Spending days perfecting a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) is why you get ghosted; hiring is a speed game, not a skill test. In today’s AI-flooded market, recruiters fill shortlists within the first 48 hours and stop reading the pile. You’ll learn the 15-minute rule to land at the top of the stack before the door slams shut. You find a job online, save it, and spend the next three days agonizing over every bullet point. You tweak the formatting, stress over the perfect keywords, and finally hit submit. Then you wait. Days turn into weeks, and you hear absolutely nothing. You’ve been ghosted. It feels personal, but it is entirely mechanical. By day four, that job posting has been buried under hundreds of AI-generated applications and people mindlessly clicking “Easy Apply.” Getting hired is no longer a strict assessment of skill. It is a speed game. Think about it this way: a candidate who matches 75% of the requirements but applies on day one will routinely beat a candidate who is a 95% match but applies on day four. In a flooded market, spending hours waiting to be perfect is the exact mechanism that ensures nobody will ever scroll far enough to read your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/). Most job seekers operate under a false assumption. They believe recruiters wait until the official deadline to gather a huge pile of resumes and review them all at once. In reality, most hiring teams use rolling reviews. The minute a job goes live, recruiters start opening applications and sorting candidates immediately. This graph shows a recruiter’s attention span. Energy and focus peak on day one, but plummet to a flat line after the first 20 applications. Those 20 applications become the benchmark, capturing the hiring manager while they’re still eager. Once the recruiter identifies a shortlist of candidates who are good enough from that initial wave, they simply stop reading the rest of the pile. The numbers prove this out. Industry data shows that more than a quarter of all jobs are filled by candidates who submitted their resumes within the first 48 hours. Your timing dictates whether you are seen at all, and in modern hiring, if you aren’t visible, you aren’t viable. This relentless demand for speed doesn’t stop once you hit submit. It carries right over into how quickly you reply to an employer’s message. Researchers at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business analyzed 11 million conversations between employers and applicants to figure out exactly what gets people hired. This chart illustrates the penalty for waiting. Delaying your response to a recruiter by just 5 minutes drops your hiring odds by 15%. Waiting a full hour makes your chances decline by a massive 46%. But you cannot just set up an autoresponder. A lightning-fast, AI-generated reply immediately makes employers question your credibility. Your response has to be quick, but unmistakably human. Employers use your responsiveness as a proxy to judge how attentive, interested, and competent you will be on the job. To win, you need to change your central objective. Stop asking how to build the perfect [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/), and start asking how to find relevant jobs before anyone else does. Step one is bypassing the big, sluggish job boards. Set up automated alerts directly on the career pages of your target companies so you get notified the minute a role goes live. Step two is eliminating the ground-up rewrite. Build a master [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) that contains all your core competencies so you only have to make minor tweaks when a fresh job drops. This prepares you to execute the 15-minute rule. Ideally, you apply within a quarter of an hour of the posting. At most, you have a strict 24- to 72-hour window before your odds evaporate. Speed does not excuse sloppiness. If you apply fast but fail the core requirements or leave in blatant typos, you will be rejected immediately. The objective is to submit a highly relevant, B-plus application on day one that will reliably beat an invisible, A-plus application on day five. In a market saturated by AI spam, abandoning perfectionism for prepared, deliberate speed is your best strategy for survival. If you’re ready to optimize your job hunt, visit jobsearch.community for coaching, community support, and resources. And don’t forget to like, share, and follow for more insights. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me LinkedIn: [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applying for a Job, Text **Tags:** The Speed Game: Why Early Resumes Win --- ### [Tough Interview Questions #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-tough-interview-questions/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In the short video, I answer the question, "do you need other people around or are you self-motivated?" **Content:** # Tough Interview Questions #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In the short video, I answer the question, “do you need other people around or are you self-motivated?” ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** Do you other people around or are hyou self-motivated? --- ### [When Managers Are Undecided, Do They Lean Toward Rejecting Someone?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-managers-are-undecided-do-they-lean-toward-rejecting-someone/) **Published:** September 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** When managers are unsure, they tend to minimize risk. **Content:** # When Managers Are Undecided, Do They Lean Toward Rejecting Someone? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When managers are unsure, they tend to minimize risk. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, #Shorts **Tags:** Do They Lean Toward Rejecting Someone?, When Managers Are Undecided --- ### [Job Search Mistakes: Not Giving Maximum Effort](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-job-search-mistakes-not-giving-maximum-effort-nobsjobsearchadvice-com/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter looks at successful athletes as an impetus to encouraging you to go all out. **Content:** # Job Search Mistakes: Not Giving Maximum Effort **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) looks at successful athletes as an impetus to encouraging you to go all out. Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And in all [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/), no matter how much [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you get, no matter how much advice you absorb, no matter how much effort you put in, there may be times in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) where you’re going to struggle. Now, I’m a sports fan. And one of the things I learned a long time ago, is that there’s an edge that winning teams have over teams that are not winning teams. And one of the advantages that winning teams have is that they’ve learned that winners will find a way to win and that losers will find a way to lose. Now, how does this apply to you? One of the things that teams seem to do over and over again, the losing teams, is they keep doing the same thing.They keep methodically trying to to defeat the winning team without that sort of emotional [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) to them, without that ability to get themselves revved up in a powerful, aggressive way that a champion is. Hey, I don’t care which sport you like. I don’t care which team you like. You know what your athlete is like when they walk off the field and they’ve won. You know their behavior when that final slice overhead is hit at a major tennis match, and that person just drops to the ground with exhaustion and exhilaration, ’cause they’ve given their all. Is that what you’re really doing in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)? Of course not. You need to perform like great athletes perform, putting in full effort, maximum effort, passion, drive, the willingness to give it all even if you lose. Because at times you are going to lose. At times you are not going to be successful. Sending out that wonderfully crafted [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that you and maybe your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) writer have worked on for hours, it just doesn’t connect. But I will tell you, if overall you engage in your search with drive, passion, joy, effort, and 100%, 110%, whatever that high number is for you, and not 30%, 40%—and you know what I’m talking about when I’m when I’m quoting these numbers. You know the difference between you at peak performance and you just going through the motions. [***Resumes That Work: The No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC83NFC4) You need to operate at peak to reach into an organization, develop relationships with people that they’re going to want to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you to that firm. You’re going to be wanting to operate at peak on your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) so the people look at you and go, “Wow, that guy is a force of nature. I’d love to have this guy around. I’d love to have this woman around.” So, don’t play small. Play like a champion. Because again, I’m going to repeat it one more time: Winners find the way to win, losers find the way to lose. And one of the reasons that winners find the way to win is that they know that losers will find the way to lose. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, send it to folks, do something that lets people know it was worthwhile. Head on over to my website, which is thebiggamehunter.us. Go exploring, ’cause I’ve got a ton of great content there available free. Yeah, I’ve got some products and services there. Yeah, you can search [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) I’m recruiting for. But just go over to thebiggamehunter.us and go exploring. A few final things. If your current firm is trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at the address below. Let me know who to contact and whether I should mention your name. I’d love to help your firm staff positions. If we’re not already connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request. My address there is [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). I’ll accept connection requests from people worldwide, except if you’re in a country known for scams or spam, except if you’re a third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Finally, [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) these days need to be perfect. And I critique [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), and you’ll see that on my website. If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) isn’t getting you results, let me critique it. Sign up for the critique on my website. I’ll be back to you in a couple of days with my opinions about where it needs to change. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Mistakes, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Not giving maximum effort, Stupid job search mistakes --- ### [Rejection #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about rejection during a job search. **Content:** # Rejection #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A short video about rejection during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). [***What Pace Are You Trying to Set For Your Job Search?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-195) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** 5He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Rejection **Tags:** being turned down, rejected for a job, turned down for a job --- ### [I Hate Applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-applications-2/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** One of the most common complaints that job hunters have is, "Why do I have to fill out a (*#!*!!#$) application? **Content:** # I Hate Applications **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** One of the most common complaints that job hunters have is, “Why do I have to fill out a (\*#!\*!!#$) [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/)? Everything they need to know is in the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/).” Several years ago, a banking client hired a well-qualified person for a difficult to fill software engineering job. About a week after the person started, they discovered the individual had lied about having a college degree. Security met them at their desk with a shoebox of their personal possessions as they returned to work from lunch on the Friday of their first week of [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). **[Employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) are a legal document; [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are not.** If you look at most [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), the potential employer provides a caution or warning that says something to the effect of, “Lying on an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is grounds for dismissal.” Since most background and reference checks are completed after you have started your new job, an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) notifies a potential employee of a risk. They also provide a simple snapshot of a person’s writing skills (and penmanship for that matter) and attention to detail that a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) cannot. All [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) are somewhat similar, so to create the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) impression you can, as well as to save time when filling them out, create your own master [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). List former [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), making sure you have the correct addresses, telephone numbers, and the dates of your [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Use this as your “sample form” when filling out a real [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). **If you are unsure about a specific month that you started a job several years ago or a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that you were paid, DON’T JUST GUESS!** Add the phrase “approx” (for approximately) next to the item. This tells the interviewer that you are not sure of the exact month or [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and that you don’t want to lie when filling out the form. **Don’t leave questions blank. Insert a dash or N/A (for not applicable) if it doesn’t pertain to you.** Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. One of the advantages of having a master form is that if your spelling is not perfect, you have a place where you have written the word down previously and have spelled it correctly. **Try to write neatly.** It’s not that great penmanship will get you the job but poor handwriting is noticed. Lavender may be a nice scent for the bathtub but a poor choice of ink colors when filling out a form. **Stick** **with blue or black ink when completing them.** Some firms scan answers into systems that won’t recognize any other color. **DON’T LIE!** In good or bad [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) markets, nothing is worth having to explain to your friends and family why, after telling them so much about your [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) journeys, after telling them you (finally) have a job, after telling people that you were enjoying the new job, after finally feeling comfortable, there is no worse moment than seeing security at your desk. © [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc. Asheville, NC 2016, 2026 ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applications, Text **Tags:** I hate applications --- ### [Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/personal-branding-mistakes-to-avoid/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3024 On this show, Ronnie and Bobby talk about an article I wrote. **Content:** # Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3024 On this show, Ronnie and Bobby talk about an article I wrote. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid --- ### [Being Prepared #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) **Published:** September 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about being prepared **Content:** # Being Prepared #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/yMlGEB4HQzk) A short video about being prepared [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Preparation, #Shorts **Tags:** Being Prepared --- ### [Counteroffers: Should You Accept?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/counteroffers-should-you-accept/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3023 You've landed a job offer, but just as you're about to give your notice, your current employer throws a curveball: a counteroffer. It's tempting, right? **Content:** # Counteroffers: Should You Accept? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3023 You’ve landed a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), but just as you’re about to give your notice, your current employer throws a curveball: a counteroffer. It’s tempting, right? [***Why Doesn’t LinkedIn Rank Recruiters?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mo3) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### [***How Do You Apply For Jobs You Are Overqualified For?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mof) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Counteroffers, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** Counteroffers: Should You Accept? --- ### [Networking #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-networking/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about networking and what works and what doesn't. **Content:** # Networking #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/M1ToQsdCCHY) A short video about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and what works and what doesn’t. [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking, #Shorts **Tags:** networking --- ### [Networking Is As Important as Your Resume #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/networking-is-as-important-as-your-resume-shorts/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Networking is More Powerful Than Applying Online **Content:** # Networking Is As Important as Your Resume #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/tkDKOictWME) [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is More Powerful Than [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) Online ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Networking **Tags:** Networking Is As Important as Your Resume --- ### [Stop Treating LinkedIn Like a Resume (You’re Invisible)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-treating-linkedin-like-a-resume-youre-invisible/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** LinkedIn's 360Brew AI system demotes engagement bait and fake metrics, rewarding authentic profiles engineered like high-converting landing pages. **Content:** # Stop Treating LinkedIn Like a Resume (You’re Invisible) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most professionals treat [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) like a dusty online [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), relying on outdated hacks that actively hurt their reach. LinkedIn’s 360Brew [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) system demotes engagement bait and fake metrics, rewarding authentic profiles engineered like high-converting landing pages. Fix your headline, summary, and skills today to make [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) come to you. Most professionals treat their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile like passive storage for a digital [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Many still rely on tactics from years ago: stuffing headlines with keywords, joining engagement pods to inflate likes, or using synthetic [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) profile pictures. These methods became a liability in March 2026 with the release of the Authenticity Update. This shift replaced LinkedIn’s legacy infrastructure with a new [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) ranking system called 360Brew. 360Brew identifies engagement bait and artificial growth patterns to deprioritize them. Profiles using these old hacks often become invisible in search results and lose the trust of human [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). This new environment turns your profile into more than a history of where you’ve worked. It makes your page a conversion funnel for your expertise. Navigating this funnel begins with the backend algorithm, which determines if your profile appears when a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) starts a search. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) now uses a semantic skill graph to map the relationship between your job titles and your actual capabilities. Your top three to five listed skills provide the primary signals that tell this graph what you actually do. 360Brew evaluates topical relevance by linking your skills to broader industry concepts. You can trigger these signals by enabling “Open to Work” in recruiter-only mode, seeing a 40% increase in [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) messages. Once the algorithm places you in the results, the burden shifts to building immediate trust with the person who clicked your name. This begins with the profile photo. Current [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) shows the most effective images are 400 by 400 pixels, with your face filling roughly 60% of the frame to remain recognizable in small thumbnails. This photo must be a real likeness. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) report a 66% negative reaction to AI-generated faces, making an authentic photograph a requirement for building rapport. Your headline is the secondary hook. It states who you help, how you help them, and proof your method works. Your photo and headline function as a two-second trust filter. If they fail to resonate, that person will rarely scroll down to see the rest of your experience. If the hook works, the visitor moves to the pitch phase: your About section. The most effective summaries use the Problem, Agitate, Solution framework: open with a pain point your buyer faces, explain the consequences of that problem, and then present your specific solution. For [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), this means leading with a specific positioning statement. Back up your claims with hard metrics—revenue growth, team scale, or acquisition data—to provide immediate evidence of your leadership. This chart highlights a massive opportunity: only 15 to 20% of users utilize the Featured section. This area allows you to pin slide decks and PDFs that act as tangible evidence of your competence. Using the About and Featured sections in tandem transforms curiosity into a conviction that you are an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) in your field. The final stage of the funnel is driving continuous traffic back to your page through active content. The 2026 algorithm prioritizes dwell time. The system rewards posts that keep people reading or watching, while deprioritizing short engagement bait and empty platitudes. Standard text posts average two… A setup like this results in warmer outreach from [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and a [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) that demonstrates your value 24 hours a day. To master these strategies, visit jobsearch.community and become an insider. You’ll get access to direct [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), along with video courses, books, and guides. If this breakdown helped you, please share the video, leave a comment, and hit the like button. Follow the channel to help others find this information. Engineering a profile as a landing page means the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) professional opportunities in 2026 will find you. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** LinkedIn, Text **Tags:** Stop treating LinkedIn like a resume (You're invisible) --- ### [The Reference Check Trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-reference-check-trap/) **Published:** September 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode exposes the only two trick questions hiring managers care about and gives you a three-step playbook to prep your references. **Content:** # The Reference Check Trap **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You passed the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), but [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use reference checks as a smokescreen to find [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) and kill your job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). This episode exposes the only two trick questions [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers care about and gives you a three-step playbook to prep your references. Stop leaving your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) to chance and learn how to secure the final [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). All right, let’s talk about that moment. You’ve been through rounds of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), you’ve absolutely crushed it, and you can practically feel that job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in your inbox. But then, they ask for your references. And this, my friends, is the final boss battle that most people don’t even know they’re fighting. I mean, you’re on top of the world, and you should be. You’ve answered every tricky question, you aced the technical challenge, you clicked with the team. You’re thinking the hard part’s over. You fire off that email with your list of references, picturing them saying all sorts of amazing things about you. But hang on a second. That reference call? It is not just a formality. It’s a high-stakes final exam. And the craziest part is, you’re not even in the room to take it. And the questions on this test? They’re probably not what you think they are at all. So, let’s get right into it and bust the biggest myth about reference checks. Most of us have this idea in our heads about why companies even make these calls, and honestly, we’ve got it kind of wrong. We all tend to believe that a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is calling your old boss just to, you know, double check that you can actually do the stuff you say you can do. Right? They’re just verifying your skills, making sure your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) isn’t a work of fiction. I mean, it seems logical. But it’s not what’s really going on. Just think about it for a second. This company has probably spent hours, maybe even days, [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you. They’ve put you through the wringer with case studies, technical tests, [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) reviews. They’ve already kicked the tires on your skills. Why would they do all of that just to call someone else and ask, “So, uh, are they any good?” It’s totally redundant. So, if they’re not really there to check your skills, then what on Earth are they doing? Well, this is where we get into the real game. The reference check is often a masterclass in misdirection, a kind of smokescreen to find out what they really want to know. So the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) might start with a really soft, easy question like, “So tell me, were they good at their job?” But that question is just the smokescreen. What they’re really doing is hunting for [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/). And this is so important to understand: at this final stage, they’re not looking for more reasons to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. They are looking for one single reason not to. So what kind of [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) are we talking about? Well, it’s almost never about whether you could write code or manage a spreadsheet. It’s about the stuff that can absolutely poison a team. Are you a headache to manage? Do you not play well with others? Do you have a negative vibe? Do you get defensive with [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/)? These are the landmines that [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers are desperate to avoid stepping on. Now, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) might have a whole friendly chat with your reference, but really, the entire thing is engineered to get the answers to two, just two, absolutely critical questions. These are the only ones that really count. Seriously, all the small talk, all the “How was it working with them?” stuff, it’s all just a warm-up. Forget all the other noise. Your shot at this job, that [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) letter you’re waiting for, it all hangs on how your references answer these next two questions. Okay, here’s the first one. This is the knockout punch: “Would you [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) them again?” It is so powerful because it forces a simple yes or no. There’s no waffling, no corporate jargon. Any hesitation, any pause, anything other than a fast, confident, “Oh my god, yes, in a heartbeat!” is a massive, flashing, neon red flag. And then comes the [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/), and this one is just brilliant. It’s such a clever bit of psychology. It sounds so positive, right? Like, “Hey, just give me some friendly advice.” But what the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is really doing is digging for your flaws. An answer like, “Oh, they work [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) when you give them very clear, detailed instructions”—well, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) hears, “This person needs to be micromanaged.” It’s designed to expose every single quirk and potential point of friction. So, hearing all this might feel a little scary. But here’s the good news: now that you know the real questions on the test, you can actually study for it. You can’t just toss a list of names over the wall and hope for the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). You need a game plan. So, let’s build one right now. Okay, it’s this simple: three steps. One, you need to choose people who would enthusiastically, without a single doubt, say yes to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you again. Not just, “Yeah, sure,” but, “Absolutely!” Two, you have to prep them. Don’t just ask them to be a reference, coach them. Tell them, “Look, they’re going to ask you if you’d [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me again, and they’re going to ask what my next manager should know.” And three, help them answer that second tricky question. Give them the actual words to use. Remind them of a time you took [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) really well or collaborated on a tough project. Arm them with your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) stories. So, the next time you’re getting ready to hand over that list, ask yourself this: are these people just nice colleagues, or are they [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to pass the real test? Because at the end of the day, getting the job doesn’t just depend on your performance in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/); it depends on how well your references perform on theirs. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** References **Tags:** The Reference Check Trap --- ### [Alerts #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-alerts-3/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about how to easily collect information **Content:** # Alerts #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtu.be/YE0wxrcqZOo?si=q1KL-6p68Yu2tMPm) A short video about how to easily collect information ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** Alerts --- ### [What’s Your Personal Brand? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-your-personal-brand-shorts/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** How do you cultivate a personal brand? **Content:** # What’s Your Personal Brand? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Click here](https://youtube.com/shorts/r7mk97NmZ_U) if the video does not run properly How do you cultivate a [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/)? [***What Pace Are You Trying to Set For Your Job Search?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-195) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a Strategic Advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 16+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Branding, #Shorts --- ### [Should I Send a Thank You Note After I Get the Job? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-send-a-thank-you-note-after-i-get-the-job-shorts/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Who would you send a thank you letter? I think there are recipients who itnwould be good to send a note to but not who you might think. **Content:** # Should I Send a Thank You Note After I Get the Job? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/yO17e8n0Xko) Who would you send a thank you letter? I think there are recipients who itnwould be good to send a note to but not who you might think. [***Minimizing Risk with Your Job Search or Career Change***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fps) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. 2He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[You Don’t Need a Job Description](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-283)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Thank You Letters, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Should I Send a Thank You Note After I Get the Job? --- ### [20 Years From Now #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Mark Twain's quote is on the money. **Content:** # 20 Years From Now #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/9WUMMmdS5JA) Mark Twain’s [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) is on the money. “20 years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.” [***Minimizing Risk with Your Job Search or Career Change***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fps) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[You Don’t Need a Job Description](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-283)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* ![Mark Twain quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Mark-Twain-quote-1024x1024.png) **Categories:** Quotes, #Shorts, No B. S. Coaching Advice **Tags:** 20 Years From Now --- ### [Advice For Finding A Non-Profit Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/advice-for-finding-a-non-profit-job-2/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** When it comes to advancing in your career, there are steps that can help you make a smooth transition to a community service job. **Content:** # **Advice For Finding A Non-Profit Job** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When it comes to advancing in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), there are steps that can help you make a smooth transition to a community service job. It’s a great way for [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) changers to try out a new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and build up a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and credibility in the community. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and others can help you attract important, qualified candidates to your position to support your community growth. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is a great site to learn more about the types of organizations that exist and can lead to new [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) workplaces. You’ll also find great resources for finding [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) and community service organizations, the National Association of [Non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Also, look at Candid, which contains information about where the money comes from and where it goes, which can help you make an intelligent decision when choosing a [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) organization you want to work for. With the right strategy and implementation of these tips, you will find an opportunity and advance your personal. Consider what skills you have honed in on your previous roles that can make you a great candidate for a [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) job. Because of the nature of [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) service, this particular skill may catch the attention of a human resources manager more than any other. In the [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) sector, as in many others, organizations want to know if they are [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people who really care about their mission and are likely to stay with it for a while. [Non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) organizations, like companies, want to know what they can do and how their unique skills can help advance their mission. Finally, make sure that your online [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is indexed and appears in Google Search, and although search Sometimes, to work for a [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) organization, you need to look for “Volunteer Opportunities” in the list of opportunities. If there is a particular organization you are interested in, check their website for volunteer opportunities. If they can’t find anything, contact them directly to see if there are any needs you can meet. It may seem silly, but volunteering with a [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) organization can boost your enthusiasm for a worthwhile cause and help determine whether your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) as a [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) is right for you. Finding a mentor in the [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) sector can also help you find the direction you want to go. In a sector where structured [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) paths are rare, charitable mentors can help organizations navigate their way to professional [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). 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Knowing job titles is essential for building a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in the [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) sector. Still, it’s not the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to get a job with a [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) organization, according to a recent study by the National Association of Nonprofit Professionals. If you already know where you want to work, reach out to those on your radar. Find out about other [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) organizations that do similar work, or find out if another [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/), for-profit or government, is already doing the same (or similar) work in your community. 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Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***The Remote Nonprofit Jobseeker’s Guide: A Volume-Driven System That Gets You Working Within 90 Days***](https://amzn.to/4hVHTKo) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Non-Profit, Text --- ### [Picking the Right Side Hustle for Your Cash Timeline](https://thebiggamehunter.us/picking-the-right-side-hustle-for-your-cash-timeline/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the raw math of side hustles so you can choose the exact platform that matches your cash needs without getting scammed. **Content:** # Picking the Right Side Hustle for Your Cash Timeline **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop chasing hyped-up “$500 a day” promises that bleed your bank account and waste your time. Every legitimate gig forces a strict trade-off between payout speed and earning potential. This episode breaks down the raw math of side hustles so you can choose the exact platform that matches your cash needs without getting scammed. If you look closely at the modern side hustle market, you’ll notice it splits into two extreme camps. On one side, you have physical, labor-intensive grinds that pay relatively low rates. On the other, you have highly skilled digital work that pays well, but takes a long time to actually put money in your bank account. And sitting directly on top of both of those legitimate options is a massive, highly organized layer of scams. They are specifically designed to prey on financial [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) by promising the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of both worlds: high pay for zero effort. Navigating this landscape effectively means ignoring the promises of maximum dollar amounts. Instead, you need to match your immediate financial timeline to a platform’s specific payout structure. When you understand the mechanics of how and when a hustle actually clears your money, you can find gig work that solves your cash flow dilemma rather than making it worse. The baseline rule for filtering out the garbage is simple: entry-level remote [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) with zero required skills—like basic data entry or reshipping packages—do not pay executive-level salaries. This graphic shows exactly how the most common traps work. Scammers will [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) you a high weekly rate and immediately demand an advance fee to secure the job, or they’ll ask for your banking details to send a check for home office supplies. That check will bounce a few days after you’ve sent them back the supposed leftover funds. A legitimate platform or client will never require you to pay them out of pocket before you are allowed to start working. Real marketplaces only take a cut of your earnings after a client has paid you for a completed project. Protecting your existing bank balance from these advance fee traps is the mandatory [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/). Once you filter them out, you can accurately evaluate the real opportunities. Every legitimate gig comes with a strict mathematical trade-off: the time it takes to get your payout versus the ceiling on your total earnings. If you want cash in your hand immediately, you almost always have to sacrifice the ability to scale that income over the long term. This chart maps out exactly how this works. We can categorize side hustles based on the skills they require on the bottom axis and how fast they pay you on the vertical axis. Looking at the top left quadrant, we find the emergency cash gigs. Things like plasma donation, delivery apps, or local yard work require lower specialized skills, but they pay out incredibly fast. Down here in the bottom right quadrant are digital [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) building platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal. These require highly developed professional skills and take weeks to clear your first payment, but they [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) the highest earning ceiling. Choosing a hustle means ignoring the maximum earning potential for a moment and looking squarely at your personal cash flow timeline. The instant cash gigs require heavy physical labor, immediate availability on your end, or owning a reliable vehicle. Their primary benefit is speed. These gigs [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) same-day cash in hand or app payouts that process in one to five business days. But vehicle-based delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash carry hidden mathematical trade-offs. Your gross pay shrinks rapidly once you subtract gas, routine maintenance, and the depreciation of your car. Contrast that with neighborhood cash services, like assembling furniture on TaskRabbit or mowing lawns. You eliminate the vehicle wear entirely, but you replace it with direct, taxing manual labor. Local physical hustles are highly effective at bridging immediate cash gaps. But because you are strictly limited by your own physical stamina and hours in the day, they have a hard ceiling that prevents real wealth building. Next, we have the low-friction digital hustle. These require almost nothing to start: just a smartphone, a few spare minutes while waiting in line, or a physical asset you aren’t currently using. The appeal here is obvious: taking online surveys or completing microtasks offers total flexibility and zero startup costs. The reality, however, is in the math. Survey sites like Swagbucks or Prolific [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) incredibly low hourly rates. You are earning minor supplemental cash here, not generating enough to cover living expenses. The only truly passive zero-effort income in this category comes from asset rentals. Renting out specialized camera gear or an unused parking space requires minimal maintenance once the listing is live. Low-friction digital tasks serve [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) as a way to monetize your dead time. They are not a viable strategy for paying actual bills. Finally, we reach the skill-based marketplace. This is where workers pitch existing, marketable professional skills—like copywriting, graphic design, or bookkeeping—to a global pool of clients. This quadrant holds massive upside. It offers access to high-paying, long-term contracts. Top earners on these platforms regularly clear $5,000 to $15,000 a month. But the barrier to entry is steep. As a new freelancer, you need a 14- to 30-day runway of unpaid effort just to set up your profile, land your first client, and wait for the platform to process your initial funds. Then there are the platform fees. Dominant marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork take between 10 and 20% of your earnings simply in exchange for access to their buyer pool. Zero-fee platforms like Contra do exist, but beginners often choose to pay that 20% on the larger sites early on just to buy initial algorithmic traffic and establish a verified reputation. Skill-based marketplaces treat freelancing like a true business. Generating reliable profit requires a serious upfront investment of unpaid time and marketing fees. Selecting your side hustle should never be based on which one has the most internet hype. You have to systematically match the work to your immediate financial runway. This flowchart breaks down the decision: First, need cash by Friday? If yes, your options are dictated by whether you have a car. If you do, delivery apps are the fastest route. If not, local services on Nextdoor or TaskRabbit are your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) bet. If your timeline isn’t urgent, the next question is: have a professional skill? If so, your platform choice depends on experience and fee tolerance. Use Contra to avoid fees, Upwork for active bidding, or Fiverr for inbound client discovery. Clearly defining your exact timeline and constraints upfront is the only way to pick a platform that yields results instead of burning you out. The gig economy is an incredibly useful tool to bridge a cash gap or build a new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), provided you respect the mathematical realities hiding behind the marketing. Aggressively guard your primary income from advance fee scams before you spend a single minute chasing secondary income. Understand that all legitimate gig work demands a trade-off. You must sacrifice either high physical effort in exchange for fast cash, or significant patience while you wait for a platform algorithm to pay off. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. Taking control of your income doesn’t start with working harder. It starts with choosing the exact right system for your current reality. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Gigs/Part Time, Text **Tags:** Picking the Right Side Hustle for Your Cash Timeline --- ### [How Are People Finding Jobs? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-are-people-finding-jobs-shorts/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it applying to jobs online? Noooo. **Content:** # How Are People Finding Jobs? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Click here if the video doesn’t play](https://youtube.com/shorts/D41-IWzk-W4) Is it [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) online? Noooo. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, #Shorts **Tags:** How Are People Finding Jobs? --- ### [Changing Yourself and Others #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-yourself-and-others-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** From Peter Bevelin, All I Want To Know Is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There **Content:** # Changing Yourself and Others #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/VruAlE5GbZ0) From Peter Bevelin,[ All I Want To Know Is Where I’m Going To Die So I’ll Never Go There](https://amzn.to/4ct2rX9) [***Decisions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6D) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) podcasts with more than 3200 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts # [***Rudeness***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hap) [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Belief in Yourself***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hbu) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. ![Changing Yourself and Others](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Changing-Yourself-and-Others-1-1024x1024.png) **Categories:** Quotes, #Shorts, No B. S. Coaching Advice **Tags:** Changing Yourself and Others --- ### [A Promotion Isn’t Owed To You](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-promotion-isnt-owed-to-you/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There are many different ways that managers and leaders give people the false illusion that they are important to an organization **Content:** # A Promotion Isn’t Owed To You **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Beginning with my experience as an executive [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), to now [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) people into successful roles and [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), one thing I have learned from the people I have worked with is that managers often do a very good job of stroking their employee’s ego and, thus, give them a sense of false security and expectations. “I see you on the fast track.” “I see you as my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) person.” “I’ll look out for you.” There are many different ways that managers and leaders give people the false illusion that they are important to an organization and that they have a long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) ahead of them. Thus, they can be surprised to learn that their job security is a little bit more complicated than what their manager thinks and tells them. I worked with someone a few years ago who was consistently told that his work was exceptional, his future guaranteed and that everyone thought the world of him. Suffice it to say, when the deck got shuffled and he was assigned to a new role, he was shocked to discover he had been sent to corporate Siberia into a position where his [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in the organization was dead on arrival. All those kind words, all the superlatives, meant nothing. Here are five [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that I see so many people make: **No one above your immediate manager knows anything about what you do and how good you are.** We can joke about the old saying “if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” Of course it makes a sound, but no one knows it. The same is true of your work. No matter how good it is and how meaningful it has been, you can be invisible to the real decision-makers. **You let your internal and external network become fallow**. A farm field needs tending, and so does your network of relationships. Networks don’t just exist with former colleagues and friends. They live with the people that you have positively affected within your firm, your mentor(s), your former manager(s) as well as the people you have lunch with. **You act like it’s owed to you.** In all sports, big contract players can be phased out or cut if their performance doesn’t measure up to the contract they receive. Many people live off of their past successes and expect to be paid and promoted for them. Unfortunately, many of those successes and impacts occurred multiple years ago. No one cares about what you did when President Obama was in office. Your company has no debt to you. They paid for your services fair and square. There were no promises made beyond simply, “We are [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you to do this job and will pay you the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/).” **You got out of your lane.** It may feel good to be “the helper,” the person everyone goes to for advice about how to do something or how to get something done. However, every interruption that you allow, every time you rescue someone else by giving them the answer when they couldn’t figure it out on their own, distracts you from doing the job you were hired to do. I know I’ve made this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) by allowing both less experienced people and more experienced people to ask for my advice about handling situations that took me away from what I was actually hired to do. It’s one thing to agree to do it once in a while. It’s another thing to have a Post-it note taped to your forehead that says, “Ask me anything.” I became that person! **You became too (dis)agreeable.** When you felt taken for granted, you never spoke up. You are encouraged to “go with the flow,” or “be a team player” and not “rock the boat.” I would never suggest that you throw a tantrum at work, but it is important to practice saying one word with regularity: “no.” Because everyone else is docile and compliant, the word “no” has more power behind it. Pick your battles but don’t be [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) to speak up and speak out. Conversely, acting like the sun rises and sets around you and your opinions no matter where you reside in an organization is a recipe for [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) suicide. Eventually, a new sheriff rides into town, someone gets their ear and your enemies collaborate to take you out. There is an art to working with others while maintaining your professional integrity that separates people. You are the chairman of the board of your own life. You have a board of directors that you are beholden to (your husband, wife, partner, children) who double as shareholders. Sometimes, you need an external advisor or advisors to help you navigate the different obstacles in your path that you don’t see because, like everyone, you have blind spots. Often, it’s too late to involve this advisor/mentor/coach when a problem hits. After all, you missed the signals along the way that allowed this problem to fester and now explode. An ongoing relationship with the person or people who can function in this role will be important to you throughout your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Make time for regularly scheduled check-ins. Whether you are an entry-level employee or a senior leader, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) time to start the relationship with this person was five years ago. The second [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) time is today. You don’t have to figure things out by yourself. After all, every great athlete has a coach who helps them succeed. Every great entertainer has a team of people around them to help advance their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Luck and talent may play a part in this. But there are a lot of talented people who never get to where they want to get to. Don’t hesitate. Cultivate the team around you to help support you over the long term. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2018, 2025 ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3200 episodes and is a former member of The Forbes Coaches Council. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* Learn to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) like a pro. “[The Ultimate Job Interview Framework](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-ultimate-job-interview-framework/)” www.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews Kindle and print versions are available on Amazon. Connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](http://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Mention you listen to the podcast or watch my YouTube channel. [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Going Nowhere? “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Subscribe And Give This Video A Thumbs Up If You Found It Helpful. *[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio podcast, [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Radio Podcast, The [No BS Coaching Advice podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/), JobSearchTV.com ,and other content with all rights reserved, as well as his right of publicity.* **Categories:** Career Angles **Tags:** A Promotion Isn't Owed To You --- ### [The Invisible Professional: How To Stand Out In Today's Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-invisible-professional-how-to-stand-out-in-todays-job-market/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** For you plotting a career, being “invisible” should now be considered malpractice for any serious professional. **Content:** # The Invisible Professional: How To Stand Out In Today’s Job Market **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** This article was named a Top [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Blog Post by JobMob.co.il. ![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/invisible-criminal-person-with-hoodie-PAMTVCD-1-300x200.png)“To do such a thing would be to transcend magic. And I beheld, unclouded by doubt, a magnificent vision of all that invisibility might mean to a man — the mystery, the power, the freedom. Drawbacks? I saw none.” ― H.G. Wells, *[The Invisible Man](https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1326579)* Griffin, the main character in Wells’s book, may have believed there were no drawbacks to being The Invisible Man, but for you plotting a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), being “invisible” should now be considered malpractice for any serious professional. After all, the person who gets ahead isn’t always the smartest or the one who works the hardest, although those are great qualities to have. People get ahead by being alert to opportunity. Sometimes, they are internal to your organization. Usually, they are external. Unless you plan on lurching from [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) (isn’t that fun!) and wading through [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) that decides whether you should be interviewed, you need to take proactive steps to cut the line and become “the chosen one” proactively. **Move To The Front Of The Line** One of the most pleasant and surprising experiences I have ever had was landing at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow with my wife and newly adopted son. Hundreds of people were waiting to pass through immigration but when we were noticed, we were waved to the front of the line because we had an infant with us. The encouragement to walk to the front of the line did not evoke outrage and name-calling by people we were walking ahead of, as it might in most other places. It was a delight after our 8 a.m. flight from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Moscow needed to make an emergency landing at an abandoned airbase, waiting seven hours for a replacement plane to be flown in and being sustained by one soda in an unheated terminal building. In the U.S., we all would have stood stony-faced in line waiting for our turn. Unfortunately, most people wait for their turn to be called for the next opportunity instead of creating the conditions to be called. How can you change your circumstances? **1. Do marketable work extremely well.** No matter what your field, no matter what your profession — white-collar, blue-collar, it makes no difference — there is a shortage of labor in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey](https://www.bls.gov/web/jolts/jlt_labstatgraphs.pdf), there is less than one unemployed person available for every job opening in the United States, down from a peak of more than six in July 2009. New hires have been exceeding separations from the workforce since 2011. This need for talent, exacerbated by containing immigration to the United States, offers an opportunity for people to easily find work in the current environment. **2. Volunteer for work that is significant.** Volunteering can be an important way to develop your visibility both internal to your organization and external. Before accepting an assignment, ask yourself the questions: Who can I meet? What can I learn? If neither answer excites you, don’t step up. Let others do that. **3. Keep your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile up-to-date.** Both corporate and third-party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are spending thousands of dollars per year to search [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for profiles of people who match skills for open [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Keeping your profile up-to-date allows them to search and find you to propose new opportunities to you. Check in on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) daily to respond to messages that you receive with opportunities. Download the app and check and respond to your messages. **4. Write articles.** Who would publish what you have to say? [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), for one, has a blogging platform that you can publish to that will allow what you write to be located by Google. You can share your articles with your connections. There are websites that specialize in what you know that might be willing to publish what you have to say. In addition, [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) others is a great vehicle for writing an article. **5. Create content for YouTube.** [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) people for YouTube is an enhanced version of writing. It puts you in the position of being recognized as an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) because your guest is being asked quality questions by you. Soon, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) will rollout [LinkedIn Live](https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/11/linkedin-debuts-linkedin-live-a-new-live-video-broadcast-service/) to everyone (it is still in beta as I write this). You will be able to do live [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) there, too. **6. Become a speaker.** Public speaking takes many forms. You can speak to trade groups, at conferences, be interviewed by others for their podcast, as well as for YouTube and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Live. If you are [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of being a speaker, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to overcome that fear is by attending local Toastmasters meetings and making your [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) in front of a supportive group. It helped me — and now, more than 8,000 videos and 2,800 podcasts later, I know I’m helping others. When you are chasing opportunity because you are aggressively looking for a position, it is like being in a pond with thousands of fish all jumping for one hook. Instead, you want to be the person they are reaching out to for opportunities. By being in that place and developing your celebrity through visibility, over the course of time, a better class of work will present itself to you. Like your 401(k) and IRA, an investment today, tomorrow and the next day can pay massive results in the future. It doesn’t take much time. It doesn’t take much effort. It requires consistency. Remember, you are the CEO of your life and your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Don’t outsource it to others so that they make decisions that affect you without your conscious consent. Taking these simple steps can put you back in control for many years to come. [***The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** **[*Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6)** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Career Planning, Text **Tags:** How To Stand Out In Today's Job Market, The Invisible Professional, The Invisible Professional: How To Stand Out In Today's Job Market --- ### [When You’re Afraid #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A lovely quote that the power of fear and how you can use it. **Content:** # When You’re Afraid **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Kgp19mNgYOw) A lovely [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) that the power of fear and how you can use it. [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[The Billion-Dollar Staffing Mistake](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acz)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[The Billion Dollar Mistake in Hiring Part II](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acE)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Althttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6hFkXrlKRB90dVjgTvT87Oman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. ![When You're Afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/When-Youre-Afraid-1024x1024.png) **Categories:** Quotes, #Shorts **Tags:** being afraid, Being challenged, Challenge, fear, Fear as a friend, The power of fear, When you're afraid --- ### [How to Find Remote Tech Work #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-find-remote-tech-work-shorts/) **Published:** August 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Did you know about this site? **Content:** # How to Find Remote Tech Work #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** If the video clip doesn’t play, [click here](https://youtube.com/shorts/iKavFSfbz4Y) Did you know about this site? [***Finding Remote Work Jobs***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cKq) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace8 issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Digital Nomad/Remote Work/Freelancing, #Shorts, Job Boards **Tags:** How to Find Remote Tech Work --- ### [10 Career Mistakes Boomers Made That Gen X Should Avoid: Part 2](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Five more lessons my Boomer friends and I learned the hard way so that we can pass them on to you, Gen Xers, so that you don’t have to learn by trial and error. **Content:** # 10 Career Mistakes Boomers Made That Gen X Should Avoid: Part 2 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** In [part one](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGa) of this two-part series, I described five lessons my Boomer friends and I learned the hard way so that we can pass them on to you, Gen Xers, so that you don’t have to learn by trial and error. Here are the next five lessons: [![dunce](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dunce-hat-225x300.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dunce-hat.jpg) **6. Recognize that there is no safety in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), nor job security.** When Boomers started their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), we were taught to believe that we could climb the ladder to professional [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), one rung at a time. As a result, many Boomers became extremely dedicated professionally, learning to invest countless hours into their work with the expectation of [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advancement only to learn through the heartbreak of “The Great Recession” and now, during the era of the pandemic, that job security is a myth and that companies will ultimately look out for their own interests and not those of their employees. Playing it safe when managing their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) resulted in becoming risk-averse professionally, taking few workplace risks and generally believing that homogenous work and behavior were the right way to conduct yourself. Nothing could have been further from the truth. In my experience, the workplace of Lean, Six Sigma, transformation and other methodologies of industrial operation brought to corporations created a repeatable process and disposable employees. **7. Don’t forget to stretch yourself.** I’m someone who has spent a lot of time in the pursuit of perfection. It takes constant effort to remind myself that perfection is impossible; excellence is possible. As Grammarly just reminded me, “To err is human. To edit is divine.” That may be tongue-in-cheek software but it**‘**s true: everyone makes [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Not making [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) means you**‘**re not pushing the envelope to new possibilities. You always need to be pushing the envelope. Every time the envelope is pushed, we stretch ourselves and learn more about ourselves and our abilities than if we stay within rigid limits. As in yoga, small stretches over time can help increase your flexibility a lot. Learn to stretch and concentrate on the stretch while doing it. **8. Know that you won’t be doing the same work 10 years from now, let alone do it in the same way.** Looking back 10 years ago, smartphones were just starting to become integral to our work. Ten years from now, you will be working in different ways than you are today — that’s just a fact of life — but we act as though there’s a finite amount of evolution that occurs even though change is seemingly infinite. For the most part, Boomers have inherently been skeptics of anything new, instead preferring standardization. You, [Gen X](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-one/), still have time to be thinking ahead and be on the cutting edge of trends. Your Millennial and Gen Z employees can teach you a lot about trends if you take the time to stay connected with them and not just talk to your generational peers. Most of you have at least another 10 years in the workforce. You don’t want to wind up like the Boomers kicking and screaming as they are pushed out the door. One of the ways to avoid that is by being slightly ahead of every curve, keeping yourself trained, experienced and fluent with new trends and capabilities in your field. That is something few Boomers did as they aged. **9. Don’t allow yourself to become “invisible.”** It seems funny but becoming indispensable in a role can result in someone being taken for granted. There are many ways to promote yourself professionally within an organization and outside of it. You can write from [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), Medium and countless other platforms. You can be interviewed for podcasts or someone’s YouTube channel. You can become active in a professional association or group. Being a member is like being a lurker — you are watching and not participating. Too many older workers take the easy approach and never develop their “celebrity status.” They never reveal their [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and ideas outside of a small circle of individuals. They hide. They hide because they are [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) that they have nothing to say when, in fact, they know much more than they think they do. Sound familiar? Now is the time to challenge yourself, step up and [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) for who you really are, because the more invisible you allow yourself to be, the more you are perceived as a cog. Cogs turn to rust. Cogs are replaced. Many Boomers allowed themselves to become cogs. Don’t make the same [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). **10. Don’t get comfortable with never meeting new people and never learning anything new.** There is a famous book titled, [*Eat, Pray, Love*](https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Everything-Indonesia/dp/0143038419 "https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Everything-Indonesia/dp/0143038419"). Most of you could probably write the book, *Commute, Work, Eat.* In pandemic times, it might be called *Work, Work, Eat*. In other words, every day is repetitive. No one new enters your life because you never put yourself in the position of meeting anyone new to have a conversation with. New people and new circumstances are part of your growth and evolution. Especially as you look ahead where the nature of work will continue to evolve, the importance of your professional and personal relationships will dictate the ease with which you age in the workplace and whether you have quality work in the workplace or outside of it if you choose. There are ways to place yourself in new situations where you can learn and meet others. Don’t waste time. Start experimenting and see what works for you. As evidenced here, Boomers often made [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) when managing their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). There is no reason for you to duplicate those [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020, 2021 # ***[Stupid Interview Mistakes: Crossing the Line Between Confidence and Narcissism](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5hk)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 11, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/QdUQ11Bp2Kk) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Career Angles, Career Coaching, Career Planning, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** 10 Career Mistakes Boomers Made That Gen X Should Avoid, Baby boomers, boomers, Gen X --- ### [10 Career Mistakes Boomers Made That Gen X Should Avoid: Part One](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-one/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Part 1 of a 2 part series where I share the top 10 career mistakes my friends and I have learned the hard way: **Content:** # 10 Career Mistakes Boomers Made That Gen X Should Avoid: Part One **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** One day, I woke up, looked in the mirror, and saw something I’d never seen before. There were things on my face that were in slightly different places. There was a little bit of grey in my beard and a closet full of clothing that had seen better days. At least my nonexistent hairline wasn’t sprouting! As time went by, I came to realize these “rites of passage” were relatively inconsequential by comparison to the “hard knocks” some of my friends and I were taking that were decimating our [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). In this two-part series, I will share the top 10 lessons my friends and I have learned the hard way: [![dunce](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dunce-hat-225x300.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dunce-hat.jpg) **1. Be cautious of reporting to someone from a younger demographic**. This can be a signal that your advancement opportunities have disappeared. Jerry, a Boomer, accepted an assignment reporting to someone from [Gen X](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) and never regained his leadership status within his organization. He heard many good reasons for why this happened: “You are much more capable than the assignments that we have available.” “We have something coming up with the new budget in January, so this is just to tide you over until then.” “Would you consider [relocating](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-relocating-2/) to another part of the country? We don’t have the right kind of opportunities for you here.” That last one was a favorite of mine, given that Jerry had two teenagers in high school who would have poisoned his coffee had he agreed to a move. In my experience — and in Jerry’s — there is a signal that a firm gives when they have someone report to someone from a younger demographic and it’s designed to send a message that you and your leadership or your abilities aren’t valued anymore. If that happens to you, it’s time to move on — not hang on. **2. Don’t provide your employer with “lazy loyalty.”** Freely giving away loyalty to your employer rarely leads to a good outcome. The person who gets ahead isn’t always the smartest or hardest worker. Those are great qualities to have but they are no guarantee for [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). People get ahead by being alert to opportunities that generally arrive from outside of their organization. Juanita turned down calls from [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for years, not noticing that her colleague was getting most of the face time with their boss and opportunities for special projects that provided her with greater institutional visibility and impact. As a result, Juanita became “old reliable,” not fast-track. When cuts were being made to the headcount, Juanita didn’t make it past the second round. “Lazy loyalty” is unthinking fealty to your current employer even though their commitment to you does not exist. **3. Be conscious of actions, not words.** Sunil received great reviews from his boss and was told he was doing a good job and had a future with the company. Sunil took the praise and interpreted it as something more than what it really was — a throwaway pat on the back. A manager may be telling you how important you are to the organization and what a wonderful job you do, but these can be placebos, designed to stroke your ego. Managers can exaggerate and flatter because it costs them nothing. What you can do is ask [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) questions — even when you receive praise — so you have a more comprehensive understanding and are less likely to be blindsided down the road. Ask for [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) in writing so you have documentation to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) back to if there’s ever a discrepancy. More importantly, reflect on whether your employer’s praise matches the opportunities you’re given. **4. Don’t abdicate responsibility for your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/).** Hakim’s inner voice had become quiet years before he stopped going to school to learn. He stopped thinking about his own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), where he wanted to get to, the deficiencies in his background and what he needed to do to overcome them. You are the CEO of your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), with your wife, husband, partner and/or children as the board of directors. If you step aside and allow your company to be in charge of your life like many [Boomers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) have, you may have to learn the hard way that “being nice,” being a “team player” and “going along” is an abdication of your power and can be viewed as permission to pass you over. In my experience, your employer won’t look out for you when things get tough. You need to be looking out for yourself. So, ask yourself, if you were the CEO of your organization, would you give you that promotion? If you wouldn’t, what are the skills and/or experiences that you need to overcome? Start pushing yourself, your environment and your boss to eliminate that gap. **5. Don’t forget about your network** **and how you can cultivate it.** Almost every day, I field calls from out-of-work [Boomers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) wanting to know how to reactivate their network. “I was busy and stopped staying in touch,” Mike told me. “Why should they try to help me now?” Cultivate the “staying-in-touch gene” to avoid making things harder on yourself when, ultimately, that layoff occurs, that reorganization puts you into an unsatisfactory role or some other professional disaster happens. Depending upon the statistics you look at, [somewhere between 70% and 85% of people](https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2017/04/many-jobs-found-networking "https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2017/04/many-jobs-found-networking") find work as a result of [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). If you let your network become dormant, it will take time to re-activate it. A quick call, text or email every six months will help the relationship stay alive, particularly when you’re not looking for work and not asking for anything. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2018, 2025 [***Reverse Engineering the ATS for Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f7E) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 11, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/QdUQ11Bp2Kk) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Gen X, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** 10 Career Mistakes Boomers Made That Gen X Should Avoid --- ### [Facing Executive Obsolescence vs The AI-Powered Executive](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to keep your seat in the C-suite, you must learn to pilot the machine instead of competing against it. **Content:** # Facing Executive Obsolescence vs The AI-Powered Executive **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Relying on backward-looking reports and gut instinct is no longer seasoned leadership—it is an operational bottleneck that will get you replaced. The modern executive must stop managing individual tasks and start architecting automated systems of decision-making to outpace market shifts in real time. If you want to keep your seat in the C-suite, you must learn to pilot the machine instead of competing against it. Take a look at your business card. That executive job title printed under your name is safe for now, but the actual day-to-day work required to keep it is actively expiring. For decades, corporate leadership operated on a straightforward formula: you managed people, and you accumulated years of hard-won experience to develop a sharp intuition for the market. You directed your team to gather data and generate reports. But a report, by definition, is a backward-looking document. It is an autopsy of the past, telling you what already happened. Digesting those past metrics and running them through human intuition takes time. Meanwhile, modern business operations are moving at a speed that makes deliberation a severe liability. Relying on historical summaries and gut feelings has morphed from a badge of seasoned leadership into a critical operational bottleneck. It exposes your company to competitors who do not pause to weigh their feelings before making a move. Let’s look at dynamic pricing. If supply chain costs suddenly spike across the globe, you have to adjust your retail prices to protect your margins. The traditional response involves calling a meeting, pulling last quarter sales figures, debating consumer elasticity with the board, and making an educated guess on the new price point. Across the street, an emerging class of leaders approaches that exact same pricing crisis differently. They deploy algorithms that ingest real-time shipping costs, competitor pricing, and live demand, instantly calculating the optimal adjustment. By the time your committee agrees on a strategy, the algorithm has already captured the market share you were debating over. The slow, intuition-reliant process is completely outmaneuvered by real-time analytics. Surviving in this environment requires a hard realization: years of industry experience simply cannot match the raw speed and precision of an automated competitor. This shift doesn’t mean you need to enroll in a coding bootcamp. You do not need to become a data scientist to retain your seat at the table. Think of the modern corporation as an aircraft. You don’t need to be the engineer wiring the engine in the dark. You need to be the pilot sitting at the yoke, directing where the machine flies. The mandate has shifted. Instead of spending your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) managing individual employees to complete specific tasks, you are now responsible for architecting automated systems of decision. We are rapidly approaching the point where the title “Executive” and the phrase “AI-Powered Executive” mean the exact same thing. It is becoming the baseline requirement for the job. Your value to the board is no longer derived from executing individual tasks; instead, it comes entirely from designing the digital environment where thousands of rapid, correct decisions can happen simultaneously. This animated diagram illustrates the transition. Instead of asking your team for a report that looks backward, you start demanding predictive models that look forward. A predictive model does not just summarize dead data; it forecasts future probabilities, mapping out these branching pathways of potential outcomes before you ever commit a dollar to the market. You apply these forecasts to the areas where slow guesswork hurts the most. You filter your choices through dedicated nodes for dynamic pricing, inventory logistics, and customer lead scoring. You are actively stripping the gut feel out of these processes, replacing human hesitation with a custom decision engine tailored to your company’s proprietary data. Building this engine is how you turn raw company data into a measurable, compounding advantage in market speed. With all this automation, it is easy to assume your hard-earned human experience is obsolete. It isn’t. The function of your intuition has simply changed. You no longer use it to blindly guess; you use it to determine the most valuable questions to ask your data. You stop asking, “What happened last quarter?” and start asking, “What is the most profitable scenario we can simulate for next quarter?” That targeted inquiry becomes the steering mechanism for your automated engine. The market doesn’t care how you arrive at the right move, just that you get there first. Victory goes to the leader who builds systems that find the correct path faster than anyone else. Tomorrow’s untouchable executive seamlessly merges a deeply human intuition for asking the right questions with an artificial intelligence’s flawless speed for executing the answers. Translating this theory into your personal [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) trajectory requires structured adaptation right now. Head over to jobsearch.community and become an insider to start upgrading your executive toolkit for this new landscape. The platform offers direct [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), along with extensive video courses, in-depth books and guides, and custom à la carte services—all designed to modernize your skill set. If this breakdown helped you, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment below. More importantly, share this video with a colleague. Engaging with the channel ensures this framework reaches other professionals who are quietly facing the exact same risk of executive obsolescence. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***When You’re Afraid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gGg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, Text --- ### [The Most Underutilized Tool #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-the-most-underutilized-tool/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This short video is about the most underutilized tool that job hunters forget to deploy. **Content:** # The Most Underutilized Tool #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/BxPWOF_IJSg) This short video is about the most underutilized tool that job hunters forget to deploy. [***Decisions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6D) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) podcasts with more than 3200 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** [***How Can They Catch You Bluffing?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4GO) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, #Shorts **Tags:** personality, The Most Underutilized Tool --- ### [Rewriting Your Resume for Results #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/rewriting-your-resume-for-results-shorts/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here is a thought about how to do it. **Content:** # Rewriting Your Resume for Results #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[If there is an issue with the displayed video, click here](https://youtube.com/shorts/zr0cczT5E1E)*** Here is a thought about how to do it. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***When You’re Afraid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gGg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts --- ### [The Dangerous Thought That Will Sabotage Your Job Search #Shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** People get into trouble when they start thinking this way. No good comes out of it! **Content:** # The Dangerous Thought That Will Sabotage Your Job Search #Shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/_Aqqfsb8FPU) People get into trouble when they start thinking this way. No good comes out of it! ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally becaus e he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Mistakes, #Shorts **Tags:** The Dangerous Thought That Will Sabotage Your Job Search --- ### [Relocating?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-relocating-2/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about what to do if you want to relocate to a new city for a job. **Content:** # Relocating? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/kStCUFwYcOk) A short video about what to do if you want to relocate to a new city for a job. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***When You’re Afraid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gGg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Relocating, #Shorts **Tags:** changing jobs, Relocating for a new job, Relocating? --- ### [How Far Can You Go?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-far-can-you-go-career-angles-shorts/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A quote from T.S. Eliot to remind you how far you can go. **Content:** # How Far Can You Go? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/19K_MvE632I) A [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) from T.S. Eliot to remind you how far you can go. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***When You’re Afraid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gGg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Quotes **Tags:** How far can you go?, Inspirational quote's, Inspiring quotes, Motivating quotes, Motivational quotes, T.S. Eliot --- ### [The Career-Change Journey: Part 3](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-career-change-journey-part-3/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** For most people, they have a notion of what it’s like to work in a new field that, usually, is not based upon reality. **Content:** # The Career-Change Journey: Part 3 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***9 Ways People Sabotage Themselves on Interviews***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b27) [![career change](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/career-change-pexels-anna-shvets-5325061-300x200.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/career-change-pexels-anna-shvets-5325061-scaled.jpg) In [Part 1 ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-d55)and [Part 2](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dq2) of our journey, we took the first and second look at what [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) you had about changing [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). Now it’s time to test your hypothesis with people and situations where you can see whether your [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) about that [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) are valid. Most people have a notion of what it’s like to work in a new field that, usually, is not based upon reality. It’s based upon fantasy or observing people who are doing that kind of work and listening to a few things from them about what their job is like. If they are like most people, they dramatize the good points and the bad points of what their work is like. Here’s what you can do. **1. Immerse yourself in [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/).** Classes will give you an idea of the fundamentals of the work that you will be doing. It will be the baseline from which you will build. It’s important to know the fundamentals before committing to the transition. You don’t have to take classes at a university. There are many online programs that you can attend for free or for very little money to learn the basics. I know when I began my transition from [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) to [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), I did formal [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) at a [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) school in order to close gaps in my knowledge and learn the fundamentals of what might be my new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). One thing I realized pretty quickly is that I learned how to be a coach, but I needed to learn the business of [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) separately from the process of being a coach. You may have a similar epiphany in your chosen [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and may need to find people to help you with that. There are organizations that may welcome you despite your limited knowledge and experience. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to try out new fields, get experience and add something to your résumé that a potential employer can tap into about your commitment and experience. It also allows you an opportunity to build expertise on top of any [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) that you have taken by giving you a chance to put into practice what you’ve learned. Marla volunteered with a not-for-profit organization and from her experience there learned that social work was not really something she wanted to do. To me, that’s just as much of a win as when Julio volunteered with a photographer to work as an assistant and learned that he really liked working on shoots. **2. Try doing your new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) on the side or part-time.** There are sites that you can sell your services on where you can pick up side work so that you have a sense of what it’s like to serve someone else doing the kind of work that you want to be doing. For now, don’t worry about rates. This is about getting an idea of what it is like doing the kind of work that you hope to be doing. Jack was someone who liked the idea of working in the back of the house of a restaurant. From his experience doing part-time work, he decided to go to culinary school to learn the fundamentals of his new profession. ***[Stupid Interview Mistakes: Overthinking Your Resume](https://youtu.be/kL1Bd8NnZFU)*** **3. Set up conversations with previously-spoken-with people that are deeper and more textured than what you have done up until this point.** Once you have started dabbling in the new field, you will develop a higher class of questions than you had at the beginning of your journey. Instead of a short conversation, ask for more time to go into more in-depth ones. What I found in my journey as I progressed from “baby steps” and “baby questions” to much more sophisticated questions is that it allowed me to know what I was stepping into. **4. Is there a way to put yourself in proximity with people who are doing this kind of work, even if you can’t fully make the transition now?** Some of you work in organizations where what you want to do is going on, but you’re not doing it. Can you transfer into a support role where you have proximity to people doing the work? Can you find a way to add value to people in the group so they get to know, like, trust and respect you? Can you learn something from proximity to the work that you want to do that will help you to transition fully, even if it’s in another organization? Access to day-to-day information and experiences may entice you to make the break with your past and step into your future. ***[Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life](https://amzn.to/4ipS21X)*** As I pointed out in Part 1, take your time. Act as if you’re a scientific researcher exploring a new domain with which few in the world have any experience. Learn what you need to learn, and then put your toe in the water to find out whether it’s icy or warm. This may take months or years. As long as you are taking small, incremental steps in the right direction, collecting data and experiences as you go along, you will find a moment where you move into your new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) or recalibrate and look for something else. If you decide to recalibrate, that is a victory, not a defeat. After all, you have learned something that you don’t want to do without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in education and years of your life. [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of all, you now have a process to employ to investigate your next option. Good luck! Keep moving forward! Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020, 2021 [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. Photo by **[Anna Shvets](https://www.pexels.com/@shvetsa?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)** from **[Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/focused-young-man-explaining-business-strategy-to-female-colleague-5325061/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels)** **Categories:** Changing Careers, Text **Tags:** Career change, The Career-Change Journey: Part 3 --- ### [The Career-Change Journey: Part 2](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-career-change-journey-part-2/) **Published:** August 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In part one of our journey, I wrote about several steps you can take to explore and find your new career. Now let’s go deeper **Content:** # The Career-Change Journey: Part 2 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** In part on[e](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-d55 "https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/09/16/the-career-change-journey-part-1/#6051cfe5317c") of our journey, I wrote about several steps you can take to explore and find your new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Now let’s go deeper and discuss the previous steps more fully and actions you can begin taking. Often, when people begin their career-change journey, they begin in a state of paralysis. We live in a world where we don’t like to experience discomfort and want immediate results. [Changing careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-careers-changing-career-paths/) requires patience, experimentation and [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). And it all begins with your dream. What is the dream you have about your new job? What do you dream about and the effect you will have on others? [Don’t think](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-think-twice-career-angles/) about being practical. Just imagine for a minute and go back to the world of possibilities. [![Changing careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/portrait-of-female-tutor-with-safety-glasses-teach-LSVHN46-envato-300x200.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/portrait-of-female-tutor-with-safety-glasses-teach-LSVHN46-envato-scaled.jpg)Sue told me about how when she was six years old, she dreamt of making beautiful things, and 13 months later, she is a potter. Marc discussed working with teenagers as a way of staying connected to the feeling of being a teen. Now he does social work with young men. Dream. One shortcut is redeploying your skillset in imaginative ways. For example, as a former executive [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), I have used my talents and experiences as a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach in ways that are more satisfying to me than my work in search was. What is proximate to what you do now that will allow you to leverage your experience? Acknowledge your fear. If this were easy, you would have [changed careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-careers-do-you-know-what-you-need/) by now. You haven’t, and usually one of the roadblocks to this transition is fear in many forms — fear of making a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), fear that you might have to change your lifestyle, fear of what others might think. Thousands of fears get in the way. For you to transcend your fear, you will need to [go to the roar](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/04/27/go-to-the-roar-to-diminish-your-fear/#8dfa50b6848b "https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/04/27/go-to-the-roar-to-diminish-your-fear/#8dfa50b6848b") to diminish your fear. Harriet and I spoke regularly about her fear and what it said to her. It told her that she was crazy to consider doing something new. It told her she was being a foolish woman for considering another possibility. After all, everyone knew and liked her where she worked now. She had a great reputation. There were advancement possibilities for her. I regularly reminded her that she just [didn’t like doing the work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-a-time-when-old-solutions-didnt-work/) that she was doing. It wasn’t about the company she worked for; it was about the work that she did, and nothing was going to change that feeling she had of dread every morning going to her desk. Create several hypotheses of what suits you. Write down different ideas of [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and [work that would interest](https://thebiggamehunter.us/im-doing-interesting-work-but-not-making-enough-they-wont-give-me-a-raise-should-i-leave/) you. Make a long list of between 10 and 100 possibilities, and then prioritize the items on the list. Don’t worry about the length of the list or the order items are in. They will shift positions as you learn more. One person I worked with identified 63 possible [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) that they thought might fulfill them. Like a diagnostic doctor, we clarified what it was about each that appealed to him so that we might expand our list even more. Knowing that you have many questions but don’t have answers yet, start to have informational conversations with people who are doing the work of the first five items on your list. Create questions that display curiosity, not certainty. Learn what it is like doing this work. Sheila [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) five questions for every person she met to understand the reality of the work and not simply let her imagination about the work fool her. She would ask for 15 minutes for her conversation, and then she’d ask them what a typical day was like and for them to go into more detail. She asked what they liked about the [work and what they didn’t](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tell-me-about-a-time-when-old-solutions-didnt-work-3/) like. She wanted to know about what had surprised them so far about the work and whether they had any recommendations of people she could talk to. She spoke with at least five people in each profession before ruling out an option or continuing to explore it in greater depth. At this stage, rejoice at the idea of eliminating choices so other choices can advance. Notice common threads in the work you continue to be interested in and disinterested in. Ask people for recommendations of other possibilities to explore while explaining what it is you are looking for in your next [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Other people, especially those who know you, may see different possibilities than you. Stay in touch with the [people you meet along the way](https://thebiggamehunter.us/9-ways-people-sabotage-themselves-on-interviews-jobsearchtv-com/), and keep them informed. A quick note every four to six weeks is enough. You can use it as a way of asking them additional questions and see whether something else came to mind. At this stage, you are exploring uncharted territory (for you), and like any explorer, you may make wrong turns that cause you to backtrack. You may need to borrow a compass because your GPS [isn’t working](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-something-isnt-working/) like it normally does. You may need to find a guide to help you on your journey or mobilize additional resources to carry you to your destination. In my next article, we’ll be looking at the next leg of the career-change journey. ***[The Next Act: A Complete Guide to Career Change, Professional Reinvention, and Finding Work That Matters](https://amzn.to/4iploNZ)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Changing Careers, Text **Tags:** The Career-Change Journey: Part 2 --- ### [The Career-Change Journey: Part 1](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-career-change-journey-part-1/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you are like most people, you are not the same person today as you were when you left school. At that time, you might have been excited to start your job.. Now? Not so much. **Content:** # The Career-Change Journey: Part 1 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** If you are like most people, you are not the same person today that you were when you left school. At that time, you might have been excited to start your new job. Today, not so much so. As a matter of fact, [49%](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/31/indeed-nearly-half-of-workers-have-made-a-dramatic-career-switch.html "https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/31/indeed-nearly-half-of-workers-have-made-a-dramatic-career-switch.html") of people have made a dramatic [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) shift, and [30%](https://careers-advice-online.com/career-change-statistics.html#:~:text=The%20average%20person%20will%20change,or%20jobs%20every%2012%20months. "https://careers-advice-online.com/career-change-statistics.html#:~:text=The%20average%20person%20will%20change,or%20jobs%20every%2012%20months.") of the workforce change their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) annually. Where do you start? What do you do? **Take your time.** On average, it takes [almost a year](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2019/11/17/career-changers-take-almost-one-year-to-make-their-move--how-to-reach-your-goal-sooner/#51ded16a1948 "https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2019/11/17/career-changers-take-almost-one-year-to-make-their-move--how-to-reach-your-goal-sooner/#51ded16a1948") to change [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). During difficult economic times, it can take longer. Like most things, when you rush, you are prone to making [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Juanita is someone who took 18 months from the initial conversation until she started her new job. “I thought I knew what I wanted,” she said, “but I needed the time to sort things through the various options and subsets to find something that was right for me.” **Identify what you are great at or have the potential to be great at.** For example, when I transitioned from [recruiting to career coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-is-the-difference-between-a-career-coach-and-a-recruiter-video/), I knew that I really liked the feeling of helping people find their next job or [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) but disliked being the intermediary between them and the employer who hired me and was paying me. There was too much pressure to be deceptive to each of them. When I transitioned into [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), I took all of those experiences and converted them to be used to help job [hunters navigate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-navigate-job-interviews-with-jeff-altman-the-big-game-hunter-jobsearchtv-com/) the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with all of its twists and turns and get to their next role. **Ask yourself what’s** **most important to you in the [next job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-are-you-looking-for-in-your-next-job/) or organization. What will you need to see or hear to believe it is the right choice for you?** Take as long as you like to make up this list. Make it as long as you would like. This is not the time to eliminate choices and options. Right now, we are opening your mind and heart to possibilities. **What’s most important to you isn’t only about work.** Of course, your compensation needs to be right, but other things are important to you as well. Maybe it is shortening your commute or keeping more of your [money](https://thebiggamehunter.us/other-than-money-what-would-have-inspired-you-to-keep-working-at-your-last-job-jobsearchtv-com/) instead of giving it to higher tax states or not having to drive to work. Maybe it is working in a physical environment that you genuinely like with people you genuinely care for. Maybe there is something that you can learn or improve upon the benefits that you receive. Maybe you want additional autonomy. Don’t just focus on the actual work. Look at the ancillaries to that work as well. **Remember to ask yourself, “What did I want to be when I was growing up?”** Often the gateway to what you want to do flows through childhood aspirations that you were told weren’t practical. Maybe you still are not able to be a ballerina or a baseball player. Maybe there is something related to dance or baseball or whatever the dream was that you can look into. This memory is something you loved. [***Can I Re-Apply for a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Qr) **Prioritize the items on your list.** With one being most important, start ranking all the things that you’ve identified as being of primary importance to you. What’s the least important? Which is second, third and fourth on your list of items? It is quite all right to recalibrate your list regularly. After all, you may need to spend time with an ill parent and, thus, may need to elevate that as your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition progress. Take your time. If you do this in one hour or one day or one week, you are rushing yourself. **How will I evaluate for these requirements of mine?** [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) usually develop job specifications to identify the skills and experiences that they believed would allow someone to succeed. That’s what I’ve been asking you to do up until this point — identify *your* version of these specifications. Smart [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) also figure out how to identify someone who can fulfill these requirements. When you are on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), both you and they are going to present a good image to each other. Given the fact that both you and they are going to be on good behavior, what might you ask or listen for to determine whether or not this firm can fulfill those desires of yours? For example, if you do not want to [work in a workaholic environment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-your-ideal-culture-and-work-environment-look-like/), you might ask, “What does a typical day look like? When do people get in, what do they do and when do they leave?” **Identify gaps in your background for the role that you want** **or the situation you want to be in.** Maybe you need to take an online course or return to school to get the job that you want. Maybe you need a reliable car to drive to the location daily that you want to work in and move to. **Enlist support from the important people in your life.** Your husband, wife or partner is going to be a big part of your transition. They should be brought on board for all the work that will be done. Listen to their concerns and make sure that they know you are listening. It isn’t just about you. It’s about them, too. In this article, we’ve been talking about the beginning of a journey that will change your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) as well as your life. You are identifying the destination that you want to arrive at. Usually, the journey is hazardous, and people benefit from guidance and support on this journey. In the next article, we will be looking at the map, the GPS, the detours that might occur on this journey. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020 [***The Change It Had To Come***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1OU) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Changing Careers, Text **Tags:** The career change journey --- ### [The Résumé Formula for Getting Results](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-resume-formula-for-getting-results/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this video, Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discusses a formula for you use to help you tell your story in a resume and get much better results. **Content:** # The Résumé Formula for Getting Results **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses a formula for you use to help you tell your story in a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and get much better results.** I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m referred to as [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for 40-plus years. Today, I want to talk with you about how to fix one of those [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that most job hunters make when writing their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). And in doing so, give you a formula for how to construct all the content in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to make it much more appealing to [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Now, most [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) I look at read like job descriptions. They’re very flat, they’re very boring, they talk about role and responsibilities. That’s pretty much it. Here’s the missing part of it: they don’t tell a story. They don’t contextualize what you do into a bigger picture. And this is how to do it. So, you need to define what it was that you stepped into. So, maybe it’s the challenge that you were presented with. Maybe it was the situation you stepped into or the firm was going through—and I’ll illustrate this in a moment. So, you talk about the situation or challenge, the actions that you took in order to deal with this situation or deal with these challenges, and what results occurred from your actions, quantified via metrics. Got that? Quantified via metrics. So, let me give you an example. You were hired to redesign a technology system because the existing system was using too much CPU space, or too much RAM, I should say, and had become highly inefficient. There was a desire to attack a particular market that was underutilized or underserved, I should say, by business users or by external users. So, what you were brought on to do was to create this new system or redesign the existing system in ways that would increase utilization, provide enhanced revenues for the firm, yada yada yada. You talk about what you did. Here’s where you talk about the traditional responsibilities, but then you get to the accomplishments, which is the outcome of what you did. So, the accomplishments could be a 15% productivity saving over existing systems. It could be quantified in terms of dollars saved or dollars earned as a result of the work that you did. And if you think this is just purely for white-collar professionals, you can do this if you’re in blue or no-collar [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Think in terms of, I’ll use an example, a mechanic whose work was sufficiently efficient that he generated a 10% saving or 10% additional revenue over other mechanics in the shop. Or, you’re a receptionist and the nature of your work was sufficiently strong that you provided 7% productivity gains over other receptionists in your firms. And you’ll need to explain that, just to talk about how it was that you came to these numbers. But, by defining what it is that you did and defining how it improved things for your firm, you’re going to be [standing out](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/) much more readily by telling this story than the average person who has a flat [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that’s remarkably boring. Now, you know, again, if you’re finding it difficult to quantify it for yourself, think in terms of the situation you stepped into at your firm. Maybe revenues were down 30-some odd percent, and as a salesperson, you generated a 22% increase over other sales-people in your district, and thus improved top-line growth, bottom-line growth for your firm by X percent. Whatever it is, tell the story by defining the situation or challenge, the action that you took, and the results that you accomplished while working at your firm. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this video helpful. If you did, and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, click the like button, leave a comment, let people know that this was worthwhile for them. If you’re watching on YouTube, I want to encourage you to subscribe to my channel here, which is TheBigGameHunterTV—all one word, TheBigGameHunterTV—and you’ll get notices whenever I do a new video for YouTube. You can also come over to my website, jeffaltman.com, and watch the videos there. And while there, sign up for a complimentary subscription to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Ezine, which I publish weekly with advice for job hunters anywhere in the world. It’s a $499 value I give away for free. There’s lots of great content at jeffaltman.com—video, podcasts, previous articles from the ezine. There’s also places that you can post your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to, information about the searches I’m involved with as well as my personal [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) program, information about my books and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), and other people’s books and guides. So, come over to jeffaltman.com and go explore. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. [***AI for Introverts: High Quality Research Wins***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-pL5) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Your Choice Determines Your Success***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gFZ) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a Strategic Advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[What Are the Biggest Mistakes Job Hunters Make?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Mg)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** The Résumé Formula for Getting Results --- ### [Job Hunting In A Troubled Economy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** With competition steep and opportunities limited, how can job seekers stand out from the crowd and secure a position? **Content:** # Job Hunting In A Troubled Economy ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** **In today’s troubled economy, [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) can feel like navigating a treacherous maze or the Bermuda Triangle. With competition steep and opportunities limited, how can job seekers stand out from the crowd and secure a position?** ![Woman in blue long sleeve shirt feel worried](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/341119_3627393d82964f9ea98523d669eabee6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_767,h_534,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_auto/341119_3627393d82964f9ea98523d669eabee6~mv2.jpg) As I write this, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) indicates that there are 26 million people who indicate that they are [\#opentowork](https://www.brainzmagazine.com/blog/hashtags/opentowork). That is approximately 16% of the US workforce. Here are a few strategies and techniques that can help you overcome the challenges associated with [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) in a troubled economy. While [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) may be tough, it’s important to remember that opportunities still exist for those who are [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) and proactive. You **can** navigate the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) landscape with finesse, and increase your chances of [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) even in a complicated economy. Don’t let challenging times hold you back and embrace “stinkin’ thinkin’.” Arm yourself with ideas and tricks you need to differentiate yourself in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). ## Understanding the challenges of job hunting in a troubled economy When the economy is facing challenges, [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) becomes highly competitive. Companies downsize or freeze [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), leading to a limited number of available positions. As a job hunter, it’s important to understand these challenges so you can be agile and [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/). To begin with, you [must recognize that the competition for jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-one-responds-to-my-resume-the-jobs-must-be-fake-jobsearchtv-com/) will be fierce. There may be hundreds of applicants for a single position, making it crucial for you to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Additionally, companies may be more cautious in their [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) decisions, looking for candidates who can bring immediate contributions and value. Furthermore, certain industries are usually hit harder than others. It’s important to [stay up-to-date with the current trends](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-stay-up-to-date-with-job-market-trends/) and identify sectors that are experiencing growth or have a higher demand for talent. This knowledge will allow you to target your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) more effectively. Overall, understanding the challenges of [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) in a troubled economy will help you adjust your expectations, develop a strategic approach, stay motivated throughout the process, and [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) your tactics to market demands. ## Build a strong personal brand for job-hunting success In a competitive job market, having a strong [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) can make all the difference in catching the attention of potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) is how you present yourself to the professional world and how others perceive you. It encompasses your skills, experiences, values, and unique qualities that set you apart from other people. To build a strong [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), start by identifying your strengths and areas of expertise. What skills do you excel in? What unique experiences do you bring to the table? Once you have a clear understanding of your strengths, you can highlight them in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), during [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and in what you write or comment about so people associate you with your specific expertise. Next, focus on developing a compelling online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). This includes updating your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, creating a professional website or [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), and engaging in relevant industry discussions on social media platforms. By showcasing your expertise and sharing your opinions and insights, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is another essential component of building a strong [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with professionals in your desired field. Don’t hug the wall and instead speak with people. By building relationships and nurturing connections, you increase your chances of being referred to job opportunities or being top-of-mind when relevant positions arise. In summary, building a strong [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) involves identifying your strengths, establishing an online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) strategically. A well-crafted [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) will help you![Worried](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/worried-pexels-alex-green-5699771-200x300.jpg) stand out from the competition and make a lasting impression on potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). ## Crafting a winning resume and cover letter If you weren’t referred by someone, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) are your first opportunity to make an impression on potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). In a troubled economy, it’s crucial to craft a winning [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that effectively highlights your relevant skills and experiences for the role you are trying to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for with a firm. Start by tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to each job position. Carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for, as well as the functionality you would be performing for them. Ensure that your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) clearly demonstrates how you meet these requirements and, where relevant, previously performed the same function for another firm. You can use bullet points to succinctly describe your accomplishments and quantify them whenever possible. When it comes to your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), make it personalized and compelling. Avoid simply restating the information from your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Instead, use the [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to tell a story that showcases your passion for the industry and your fit for the specific role. Address the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager by name if possible. I encourage people I coach to use the [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) as a way of demonstrating their fit. List the skills and experience sought flush left. Then list the functionality you would be performing with the firm. Next to each item, flush right, indicate how long and how recently you used that skill or performed that function. **That’s because incorporating keywords from the job description in both your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) gives you a greater chance of being referred by the applicant. Many companies use [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) to screen [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), and using relevant keywords can increase your chances of getting through this initial screening process.** In conclusion, crafting a winning [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) involves tailoring them to each job [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), highlighting your accomplishments, and telling a compelling story that showcases your fit for the role and company. ## Leveraging networking for job opportunities [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is an effective tool for finding job opportunities, especially in a troubled economy. 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By actively [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), you increase your chances of finding job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly. ## Optimizing your LinkedIn profile for job searching [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) has become an indispensable tool for job seekers, and optimizing your profile can significantly improve your chances of being noticed by [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers. Start by ensuring that your profile is complete and up-to-date. Include a professional profile picture, a compelling headline, and a concise summary that highlights your key skills and experiences. 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Adapting to the virtual format will help you make a strong impression on potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). [***It’s Time to Look for a Life Boat***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jLu) ## Upskilling and professional development during a job search When [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) in a troubled economy, continue developing your skills and knowledge. Upskilling and investing in professional development can make you more competitive in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and increase your chances of getting a new position. Identify areas where you can improve your skills or acquire new skills that are in demand. 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[Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) events, industry conferences, and webinars are also great opportunities for professional development. Attend events relevant to your field and seek out learning opportunities. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and [learn from industry experts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-like-an-expert-learn-an-interview-framework-that-makes-a-difference-jobsearchtv-com/). Staying connected and informed will keep you up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in your industry. Lastly, there are these things called books, articles, and blogs that can provide valuable insights and inspiration. Stay informed about industry news, emerging trends, and [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) practices. This knowledge will not only benefit you in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) but also in your future role. To sum up, upskilling and investing in professional development involves identifying skills in demand, seeking out online courses or workshops, volunteering or freelancing, attending [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) events and industry conferences, and staying informed through reading. Continuous [learning and development will make you a more competitive candidate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/help-candidates-learn-about-your-firm/) in a troubled economy. [***How to Find a Job During a Recession – 10 Essential Tips***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jMV) ## Conclusion: Staying resilient and proactive in job hunting [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) in a troubled economy can be challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, you can increase your chances of [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Stay resilient and proactive throughout the process, and remember that opportunities still exist for those who are [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) and proactive. Understand the challenges of [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) in a troubled economy and adjust your expectations accordingly. Build a strong [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) to differentiate yourself from the competition. Craft a winning [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that effectively highlight your skills and experiences. Leverage [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) to tap into [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/). Optimize your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile to increase your visibility to potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Develop an [effective job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/3-effective-ways-to-handle-rejection-during-an-executive-job-search/) strategy that targets your desired companies and industries. Navigate virtual [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and assessments with professionalism and [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). Upskill and invest in professional development to stay competitive. By implementing these tips, tricks, and tactics, you will be better equipped to navigate a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) during troubled times and increase your chances of landing your next job, even in a troubled economy. Nothing works all the time. Some of these tactics won’t work for you. Many will. There is no sure thing to anything where people are concerned, let alone [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). I just know that waiting by your phone for it to ring or to receive a text about a job opening doesn’t work. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2023 ***[Workers In Their Late 30s And Older Face Ageism In A Recession—Here’s How To Fight Back](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kru)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Career Coach Office Hours: May 14 2024***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lvK) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 14+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Job Hunting In A Troubled Economy --- ### [Plans and Goals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/plans-and-goals-career-angles-shorts/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Planning and goal setting. People make a basic mistake with your plan is working. **Content:** # Plans and Goals **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/DnGJCWUONNM) Planning and goal setting. People make a basic mistake with your plan is working. [***Laid Off and They Want You to Sign Something?*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljD) **If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan. But you don’t need to change the goal. Keep it the same. Just change the plan.** [***Better Than Applying Through The ATS***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3) **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-23-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your career easier. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 14+ years.in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. [***4 Secrets to a Successful Job Search in FinTech***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljz) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily. Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***I Just Was Laid Off? What Do I Do Next?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljt) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles **Tags:** career goals, Goal Setting, Goals, planning, Plans, plans and goals, Setting goals --- ### [15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-career-pipeline-2/) **Published:** August 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** High-yield career transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions **Content:** # 15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When professionals hit a wall in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), the default response is brute force. They dedicate hours-long blocks on Sunday afternoons to rewriting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), tailoring [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) for dozens of public postings, or blasting out generic connection requests. As I’ve said before, this macro-effort yields remarkably micro-results. Heavy, multi-hour [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) sessions lead to mental fatigue and low-quality output. High-yield [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions—precise executions taking 15 minutes or less that bypass traditional corporate filters and force immediate market [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Over the last three parts of this series, we have covered twelve tactical moves—ranging from [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bypasses and dormant tie audits to alumni reverse searches and skill resets. Today, we deliver four *brand-new* 15-minute micro-actions designed to exploit quiet [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) channels, optimize digital visibility, and capture high-converting insider intelligence. ### 1. Perform a “Vendor Ecosystem Mapping” Session (15 Minutes) When enterprise companies expand rapidly, they often rely on third-party software vendors, consulting firms, and implementation partners. These vendor representatives know which companies are scaling up budgets, and which departments are drowning in work, long before public job requisitions are posted. Spend 15 minutes identifying the primary software platforms or tools used in your domain (e.g., specific enterprise CRMs, data pipeline infrastructure, or compliance platforms). Use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to search for **Solutions Architects, Customer [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) Leads, or Account [Executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/)** working at those software vendors who manage accounts in your target industry: > *“Hi \[Name\], I follow \[Vendor Company\]’s integration rollouts closely. In my previous work, I spearheaded the deployment of your platform across a 200-person team. I’m currently mapping out my next (leadership) move in \[Industry\] and would love to connect with peers who have a pulse on which teams are currently scaling their tech stacks.”* In 15 minutes, you tap into an intelligence network that sees unlisted [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) needs weeks before HR becomes engaged. ### 2. Deploy the “Recommendation Swap Protocol” (15 Minutes) LinkedIn’s internal search algorithm places heavy weight on social proof metrics. Profiles with recent, keyword-dense recommendations from peers rank noticeably higher when talent acquisition teams run candidate sourcing queries. Instead of passively hoping for recommendations, execute a 15-minute proactive swap: 1. Identify two former colleagues or managers who know your work firsthand. 2. Unsolicited, write a crisp, 3-sentence recommendation on their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile highlighting a specific metric or project you tackled together. 3. Send them a quick direct message: > *“Hi \[Name\], I was thinking about our work on \[Project\] and wanted to drop a quick recommendation on your profile to highlight your work there. I’m currently updating my own [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) for a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move. If you have a few minutes, I’d deeply appreciate a short reciprocal note on my profile focusing on my work in \[Core Skill\].”* Giving value first removes social friction and guarantees a high return of verified social proof. ### 3. Mine Podcast Show Notes for Executive Hiring Managers (15 Minutes) VPs and department directors frequently appear as guests on niche industry podcasts to build their [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). During these recordings, they explicitly outline their operational philosophy, team culture, and strategic roadmaps for the upcoming year. Spend 15 minutes searching Apple Podcasts or Spotify for your niche field (e.g., *“Supply Chain Operations Podcast”* or *“B2B SaaS Growth”*). Listen to the final 5 minutes or scan the show notes of an episode featuring a leader at a target firm. Extract one core principle they mentioned, and send a direct [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) message: > *“I caught your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on \[Podcast Name\] regarding \[Specific Strategy, e.g., transitioning to localized distribution hubs\]. Your point about avoiding inventory lag in quarter three really stood out. Having executed a similar transition at my last firm, I put together a 1-page framework detailing how we protected our unit margins. No strings attached. Let me know if you’d like me to send the notes over to your team.”* ### 4. Optimize Your “Featured” Section as a Portfolio Asset (10 Minutes) Most [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles leave the “Featured” section completely blank or pin a random, years-old post. This is prime real estate that sits directly above your experience timeline. Spend 10 minutes transforming this space into a proof-of-work display: - Upload a [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) slide deck of an anonymized 1-page strategic framework or process flow you built. - Add a direct link to a notable project launch, published article, or recorded presentation. - Format the title of the asset using clear value language (e.g., *“Framework: Reducing Enterprise Onboarding Friction by 18%”*). This instantly converts casual profile browsers into engaged leads who can visually verify your operational literacy in seconds. ### The Bottom Line A successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot is not built on marathon sessions of blind [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. It is built on small, clinical actions executed with consistency. Stop spending hours feeding [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) databases. Pick one 15-minute action each morning, execute it with precision, and let the compound effect of high-leverage outreach shift the market leverage back to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** 15 Minute Job Search Tips, Text **Tags:** 15 Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline, 15-Minute Moves t --- ### [No BS Career Advice: August 23 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-23-2026/) **Published:** August 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice offers help with job search, job hunting, career advice, Interviewing, salary negotiation, resumes, and more. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: August 23 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I did not expect to have time this week to do this issue of No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). I’ve been at a leadership conference since Thursday and decided to commute rather than stay on-site. That has freed me in the early morning when I tend to wake up anyway to do this edition. There will not be one next week. I’ll be delivering a new one the following week. “[Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide to Your First Post-Graduation Job Search](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX)” has been helping recent graduates land new roles since I published it last year. It is available for Kindle as an audiobook and as a paperback. If you or someone in your household is a recent grad, this will help them land that first post-graduation job. ## High-Leverage Micro-Actions: (15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline) [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) When professionals hit a wall in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), the default response is brute force. They dedicate hours-long blocks on Sunday afternoons to rewriting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), tailoring [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) for dozens of public postings, or blasting out generic connection requests. As I’ve said before, this macro-effort yields remarkably micro-results. Heavy, multi-hour [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) sessions lead to mental fatigue and low-quality output. High-yield [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions—precise executions taking 15 minutes or less that bypass traditional corporate filters and force immediate market [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Over the last three parts of this series, we have covered twelve tactical moves—ranging from [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bypasses and dormant tie audits to alumni reverse searches and skill resets. Today, we deliver four *brand-new* 15-minute micro-actions designed to exploit quiet [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) channels, optimize digital visibility, and capture high-converting insider intelligence. ### 1. Perform a “Vendor Ecosystem Mapping” Session (15 Minutes) When enterprise companies expand rapidly, they often rely on third-party software vendors, consulting firms, and implementation partners. These vendor representatives know which companies are scaling up budgets, and which departments are drowning in work, long before public job requisitions are posted. Spend 15 minutes identifying the primary software platforms or tools used in your domain (e.g., specific enterprise CRMs, data pipeline infrastructure, or compliance platforms). Use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to search for **Solutions Architects, Customer [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) Leads, or Account [Executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/)** working at those software vendors who manage accounts in your target industry: > *“Hi \[Name\], I follow \[Vendor Company\]’s integration rollouts closely. In my previous work, I spearheaded the deployment of your platform across a 200-person team. I’m currently mapping out my next (leadership) move in \[Industry\] and would love to connect with peers who have a pulse on which teams are currently scaling their tech stacks.”* In 15 minutes, you tap into an intelligence network that sees unlisted [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) needs weeks before HR becomes engaged. ### 2. Deploy the “Recommendation Swap Protocol” (15 Minutes) LinkedIn’s internal search algorithm places heavy weight on social proof metrics. Profiles with recent, keyword-dense recommendations from peers rank noticeably higher when talent acquisition teams run candidate sourcing queries. Instead of passively hoping for recommendations, execute a 15-minute proactive swap: 1. Identify two former colleagues or managers who know your work firsthand. 2. Unsolicited, write a crisp, 3-sentence recommendation on their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile highlighting a specific metric or project you tackled together. 3. Send them a quick direct message: > *“Hi \[Name\], I was thinking about our work on \[Project\] and wanted to drop a quick recommendation on your profile to highlight your work there. I’m currently updating my own [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) for a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move. If you have a few minutes, I’d deeply appreciate a short reciprocal note on my profile focusing on my work in \[Core Skill\].”* Giving value first removes social friction and guarantees a high return of verified social proof. ### 3. Mine Podcast Show Notes for Executive Hiring Managers (15 Minutes) VPs and department directors frequently appear as guests on niche industry podcasts to build their [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). During these recordings, they explicitly outline their operational philosophy, team culture, and strategic roadmaps for the upcoming year. Spend 15 minutes searching Apple Podcasts or Spotify for your niche field (e.g., *“Supply Chain Operations Podcast”* or *“B2B SaaS Growth”*). Listen to the final 5 minutes or scan the show notes of an episode featuring a leader at a target firm. Extract one core principle they mentioned, and send a direct [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) message: > *“I caught your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on \[Podcast Name\] regarding \[Specific Strategy, e.g., transitioning to localized distribution hubs\]. Your point about avoiding inventory lag in quarter three really stood out. Having executed a similar transition at my last firm, I put together a 1-page framework detailing how we protected our unit margins. No strings attached. Let me know if you’d like me to send the notes over to your team.”* ### 4. Optimize Your “Featured” Section as a Portfolio Asset (10 Minutes) Most [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles leave the “Featured” section completely blank or pin a random, years-old post. This is prime real estate that sits directly above your experience timeline. Spend 10 minutes transforming this space into a proof-of-work display: - Upload a [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) slide deck of an anonymized 1-page strategic framework or process flow you built. - Add a direct link to a notable project launch, published article, or recorded presentation. - Format the title of the asset using clear value language (e.g., *“Framework: Reducing Enterprise Onboarding Friction by 18%”*). This instantly converts casual profile browsers into engaged leads who can visually verify your operational literacy in seconds. ### The Bottom Line A successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot is not built on marathon sessions of blind [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. It is built on small, clinical actions executed with consistency. Stop spending hours feeding [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) databases. Pick one 15-minute action each morning, execute it with precision, and let the compound effect of high-leverage outreach shift the market leverage back to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 I’m going to skip the list of blog posts I released in the past week. Why don’t you visit my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](http://thebiggamehunter.us/) to search the site for information you’d find helpful *Books and Guides by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)* [***Resumes That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) [***“Networkinging for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [***No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [***Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [***101 Ways to Find Job Leads***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [***Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [***Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [***The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [***LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [***Finding a Job After You Graduate College***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [***Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [***The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Profile Strategy in the AI Era***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [***Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [***ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [***Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [***From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [***Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [***Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [***Final Interview Preparation***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [***No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [***Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) All of them cost no more than than $12.99. Many are available for 99 cents \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Transition Coach | [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) | Personal [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) | [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and Compensation Negotiation | [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) Networker | [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) member 7653 | I’ve Helped Tens of Thousands of People Find New [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: August 23 2026 --- ### [How to Give Two-Week Notice When Your Boss Pushes Back](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-give-two-week-notice-when-your-boss-pushes-back/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Listen in to get the exact word-for-word scripts to stand your ground, protect your boundaries, and exit cleanly without burning bridges. **Content:** # How to Give Two-Week Notice When Your Boss Pushes Back **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You gave your two-week notice, but your boss is guilt-tripping you into staying longer. The hard truth: their staffing timeline is an operational issue for them to solve, not a personal debt you owe. Listen in to get the exact word-for-word scripts to stand your ground, protect your boundaries, and exit cleanly without burning bridges. All right, let’s get right into it. So you did it. You got the new job, you’re excited, you’re ready to go, but there’s just one thing standing in your way, and it’s probably one of the most stressful conversations you can have at work: giving your two-week notice. You know, it really should be straightforward, but a lot of times it’s anything but. So picture this: you walk into your boss’s office, you’ve rehearsed what you’re going to say, you deliver the news like a total pro, and then they hit you with it—the one thing you were hoping they wouldn’t say. They push back. They tell you two weeks just isn’t going to cut it. It’s a super common situation and, man, does it crank up the [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). So, what do you do now? You’ve done everything by the book, right? You followed the unwritten rule of the professional world. But now, all of a sudden, you’re in this really awkward, high-pressure spot. You’re feeling that pull of loyalty to your team, but you also have this brand-new commitment to your future job. And that right there is the classic two-week dilemma. Hearing these words, ugh, it’s like a punch to the gut. It’s designed to put you on the back foot, to make you feel a little guilty. And your mind just starts racing, doesn’t it? You start thinking, am I letting them down? Am I being totally unreasonable? They want you to feel responsible for their transition period. Okay, but let’s be fair for just a second. Let’s try to see it from their side. Why do companies even ask for more time in the first place? Well, the truth is, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) is a really messy, complicated process. And it’s almost never as simple as finding someone great in just two weeks. So that brings us to the real heart of the issue, doesn’t it? Is two weeks actually a fair amount of time? And honestly, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. The thing is, when it comes to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a replacement, not all [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are created equal—not by a long shot. And this slide really breaks it down perfectly. I mean, look at the difference. For some [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), yeah, a company could probably find a decent replacement in just a few days. But for those really specialized roles—the ones that need a very specific skill set—we’re talking that could easily take a few months. The timeline is all over the place. And this brings us to what is, without a doubt, the most important part of this whole thing. It is the fundamental mindset shift you absolutely have to make the second you decide to leave. It’s all about knowing where your responsibility ends and where theirs begins. Just let that sink in for a second. Whether it takes them two days, two weeks, or two months to find the next person, that is a business challenge. That is an operational issue for them to solve. It is their job to manage staffing. It is not yours. To put it another way, your only real obligation is to make sure you hand off your duties as smoothly as possible within that two-week window. The company’s long-term [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) plan? Yeah, that’s just not on your plate anymore. Okay, so you’ve got the right mindset. That’s step one. But what do you actually say in the heat of the moment? How do you handle that conversation? Well, let’s get into the practical stuff: your playbook for responding with total [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). It really comes down to this simple three-step game plan. The whole key here is to be polite, but also really firm and clear. This is not the time for a big debate or a long negotiation. You just need to follow these three steps. This, this is your go-to line. And notice what it’s not. It’s not an apology, it’s not you asking for permission, it’s a simple statement of fact. You have a commitment to your new job, and you’re going to honor it. It’s professional, it’s respectful, and it’s completely non-negotiable. So what if they push back again? You don’t need to come up with a new reason. You just become a polite broken record. Saying “I understand that” shows you heard them, but you’re not caving. And then you just calmly state your reality again. Trust me, calm repetition is amazingly powerful. Now look, being firm doesn’t mean you need to burn the whole bridge down on your way out. You can absolutely be a team player and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to help out. The key words here are “within reason.” You could [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to sit in on some [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), or help train the new person if—and that’s a big if—they’re hired before you go. And this script, this is pure gold for setting a boundary after you’ve already left. You’re showing you’re willing to help, but you’re also making it crystal clear that it has to happen off hours. Why? Because during your new work hours, you’re going to be 100% focused on your new job. It protects you, and it protects your new role. All right, let’s hit one last classic question. You know it’s coming: that sometimes awkward, kind of nosy question about where you’re headed next. Just remember, you are under absolutely no obligation to tell them a single thing. And there it is: your perfect response. It’s the ultimate professional dodge. You’re politely saying “that’s none of your business” without actually saying it. It keeps your private life private and keeps the conversation on track. So, if you only take one thing away from all this, let it be this right here: giving two weeks’ notice is you meeting a professional standard. Staying any longer than that is you doing them a massive personal favor—a favor you are not required to give. You need to treat this like the standard business transaction it is. You know, when you really think about it, getting good at this conversation is really about getting good at setting clear professional boundaries. It’s what protects your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), and your sanity. Which kind of leaves us with one final thought: now that you know how to ace this one, what’s the next professional boundary you’re going to set? [***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those [things can involve job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-things-you-are-doing-to-sabotage-your-job-search-job-searchtv-com/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***How Can They Catch You Bluffing?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4GO) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Resigning, Text --- ### [The Exit Package #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-exit-package-shorts/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Don't listen to what they tell you about your marketability. **Content:** # The Exit Package #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Watch the video here](https://youtube.com/shorts/nwDc9VcFIk0) Don’t listen to what the tell you about your marketability. ## [***Things That Immediately Ruin a First Impression***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-liA) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.* **Categories:** Laid Off, #Shorts, Resigning **Tags:** The Exit Package --- ### [The Speaker at Your College Graduation #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speaker-at-your-college-graduation-shorts/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The speaker at your college graduation, the one your school spent a lot of money to speak to you, told you lies about your immediate future. **Content:** # The Speaker at Your College Graduation #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Vcqt9c2cpqE) The speaker at your college graduation, t[h](https://youtube.com/shorts/Vcqt9c2cpqE)e one your school spent a lot of money to speak to you, told you lies about your immediate future. [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: “Creative Writing”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Zc) 5He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3200 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** College Grads, #Shorts **Tags:** the speaker at your college graduation --- ### [C Suite Trap: No Seat at the Adult Table #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/c-suite-trap-no-seat-at-the-adult-table-shorts/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** That impressive C suite job offer might be hiding a critical red flag. **Content:** # C Suite Trap: No Seat at the Adult Table #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly***](https://youtube.com/shorts/JfKx3aTn8X4) That impressive C suite job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) might be hiding a critical red flag. Spot this subtle but significant warning sign and what it truly means for your executive trajectory. Don’t let your [next big move](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-planning-for-your-next-big-move/) be a misstep – watch to protect your leadership future! [***Reminders About Working With an Executive Search Firm***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jhf) **That seemingly impressive C-suite job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) you’ve received may be hiding a critical red flag that will damage you for years to come.** I’m **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)**. People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search coaching and career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/__trashed-8/) globally because I make the process of finding work and succeeding at it much easier. So what is that issue? What is that problem that’s going to be in your way that can damage you for the longest [time](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-easiest-way-to-buy-time-in-your-negotiations-jobsearchtv-com/)? And the answer is really very simple. **The answer really comes down to no access to the board, no access to decision-makers, no access to the people who ultimately will decide your fate.** So the long and the short of it is, it’s [important to make sure that that offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-important-to-receive-a-hard-copy-of-an-offer-letter/) doesn’t hinder you in being successful in that next organization. Because, you know, **if you wind up in a situation where you’re disconnected from the people you really report to, if you’re disconnected from leadership, well, they don’t [really feel connected](https://thebiggamehunter.us/describe-a-teacher-you-really-connected-with/) to you. They second-guess and they’re ultimately going to get rid of you because they have no allegiance to you or connection with you.** **If you don’t have regular access to the board, to the CEO, the top decision-makers, you’re a figurehead. You’re not a leader. Without influence or sponsorship, your ability to lead, drive strategy, and deliver results is going to be compromised.** In large organizations, not every C-suite [role](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-job-boards-your-guide-to-finding-the-perfect-role/) is going to report to the board, quite obviously. But if you’re the, for example, CMO or CHRO in a public company, you might report to the CEO, not the board. That’s okay. But if you’re going to a smart startup, a mid-sized firm, as long as your reporting structure is clear and your voice is a part of the decision-making conversations, you’ll be okay. But if you’re separated from them in those kind of organizations, you’re dead meat. I have a lot more available at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). Come over to the site, go exploring. I’ve got free content there. Become an insider. Let me coach you. Ask me questions. Get a regular relationship with me. So then this way, I can be your ally throughout your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Executive/ C Suite Search, Red Flags **Tags:** C Suite Trap: No Seat at the Adult Table --- ### [Can I Tell Them That I'm Going to Use Their Offer to Negotiate With My Current Job?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Well, this is a fun question! How do you think it will work? **Content:** # Can I Tell Them That I’m Going to Use Their Offer to Negotiate With My Current Job? ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)**** Well, this is a fun question! How do you think it will work? [***When You’ve Been Made Redundant, Fired, Laid Off, RIF’d***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ha1) The work I do is as a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and leadership coach. I help people with job hunting, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading, workplace related issues, executive [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). You know, if it relates to the world of work, I’m really good. This question I thought was fascinating. Can I tell an interviewer that I will use their [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to renegotiate my current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) first. You can do anything you want but if you think you’re gonna get an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) from that firm, you are absolutely wrong. You’re an imbecile. And I say that, because who would give you an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), knowing that you’re not planning on accepting. You’re going to run back to your current firm, and go, ‘Hey, someone’s willing to pay me this. Beat it, beat it, beat it.’ No one’s gonna do that. And, as such, all you’re doing is talking yourself out of a job. So don’t do it that way. If you’re going to do it, do it the way everyone else does–deceptively. Do it in the way that you receive the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). And then as you resign, well, you can indicate what it would take for you to stay. And from there, your firm has a choice to either meet that number or not. And that’s the way you [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) with your current firm. Now, it’s really slimy to do that with an organization that with good intentions is trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone to solve a problem. But it’s your life and your choices. I’m not going to tell you that you’re wrong. Clearly, you’d like your current firm, but you want to make more money. And this is the way to do it, not the way you talked about. [***Video Interview Myths***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hfj) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free strategic advisory call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Counteroffers, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Salary/Comp Negotiation, Text **Tags:** Can I Tell Them That I'm Going to Use Their Offer to Negotiate With My Current Job?, Counteroffers, leveraging an offer to get a counteroffer, Using an offer to get a counteroffer --- ### [3 Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/3-questions-to-ask-at-a-job-interview/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter offers three questions you should ask at the end of every single job interview. **Content:** # 3 Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) offers three questions you should ask at the end of every single job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and I want to talk with you today about ending an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) extremely well and extremely powerfully. In this particular approach, you’re going to know real clearly how the firm sees you, whether they see you as being qualified or unqualified for the role. It will leave no mystery whatsoever. And it also serves the purpose of, again, leveling the playing field between you and the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) firm. So, invariably, there’s a section in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) where they go, “So, do you have any questions for us?” And I’ve covered that in a previous video about how [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) to answer that question. But now, as the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is starting to wind down, there’s a couple more questions I want to encourage you to ask. Now, this is past the point where you’re talking about the job or talking about their assessment criteria once you’re on board. This is really at the wind-down phase. So, excuse me while I just [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) to my screen. It has a couple of reference points I just want to make sure I ask. So, question number one: “Do you see any gaps in my experience or my [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that I need to fill?” Now, this is going to give you insight into how they judge you for this role, whether there’s a perceived deficiency in your background and what that is. “Are there any reasons you don’t judge me qualified for this role?” Now, this is a magic question because when they answer that, if you have some of that experience, you can go, “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t cover that point in one of my answers. This is what I’ve done related to that. Would you like to ask me more about this? Because I want to make sure you have all the information that you need.” Here’s the final one: “Now that you’ve had a chance to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) me, are there any reservations that you have about putting me into this role?” Again, it allows you an opportunity to address concerns that they have so that, this way, you’ve had an opportunity to take your tennis racket and, you know, send it back over the net to them, make them ask more questions, investigate more fully. Because sometimes you have to remember the interviewer is not extremely skilled. They have a finite amount of time where they’re evaluating and assessing. They miss things, you know what I mean? So, this gives you ways of finding out their thinking at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) so that at the end of the day, you know exactly where you stand. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, just do something that lets people know it was worthwhile. If we’re not already connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request. My address is [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. ***[Self Sabotage: A Misdiagnosis](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Pq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free strategic advisory call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** 3 Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview --- ### [How to Negotiate Startup Downside Protection #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-negotiate-startup-downside-protection-shorts/) **Published:** August 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn the three critical downside protection clauses you must negotiate into your contract to ensure you don't walk away empty-handed when things go south. **Content:** # How to Negotiate Startup Downside Protection #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Joining an early-stage startup during volatile economic times is a massive financial gamble if you only focus on stock option upside. You need a legally binding financial floor before you sign any [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) letter. Learn the three critical downside protection clauses you must [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) into your contract to ensure you don’t walk away empty-handed when things go south. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Startups, #Shorts, Salary/Comp Negotiation **Tags:** How to Negotiate Startup Downside Protection --- ### [Resume Mistakes: Not Paying Attention to the Visuals #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-not-paying-attention-to-the-visuals-shorts/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** By now, I've read more than 775000 resumes that we've been able to quantify. I've seen this mistake a lot **Content:** # Resume Mistakes: Not Paying Attention to the Visuals #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** By now, I’ve read more than 775000 [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) that we’ve been able to quantify. I’ve seen this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) a lot [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: “Creative Writing”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Zc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Resume Mistakes: Not Paying Attention to the Visuals #shorts --- ### [Why Are Linear Career Paths Disappearing? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-are-linear-career-paths-disappearing-shorts/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you haven't noticed, traditional linear career paths are disappearing. **Content:** # Why Are Linear Career Paths Disappearing? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/FomrpftCYBc) If you haven’t noticed, traditional linear [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) paths are disappearing. [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Planning, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Careers **Tags:** Why Are Linear Career Paths Disappearing? --- ### [Skip College: Make $100k+ Without a 4-Year College Degree](https://thebiggamehunter.us/skip-college-make-100k-without-a-4-year-college-degree/) **Published:** August 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop chasing arbitrary salary numbers and map your career choice directly to your real-life constraints. **Content:** # Skip College: Make $100k+ Without a 4-Year College Degree **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Four-year degrees are no longer the exclusive gatekeeper to six-figure salaries. Skipping college isn’t a free lunch—you will pay for high earnings through grueling physical labor, steep upfront certification costs, or high-stress regulatory hurdles. Stop chasing arbitrary [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) numbers and map your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) choice directly to your real-life constraints. Major corporations are rapidly dropping their 4-year degree requirements. The nationwide shift towards skills-based [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) means a bachelor’s degree is no longer the exclusive gatekeeper to a six-figure [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). But skipping college and dodging $100,000 in student loan debt is not a free lunch. The alternative paths to high income require their own sacrifices. In exchange for avoiding college debt, you have to pay a different currency. You will pay with extreme physical wear and tear, years of grueling apprenticeship labor, or by risking your own upfront capital on specialized certifications. This quadrant chart maps the degree-free economy to show exactly what these different barriers look like. We plot these [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) by looking at their [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) cost on the x-axis against their time to peak earnings on the y-axis. A union plumber sits in a totally different reality than an air traffic controller, a commercial pilot, or a software developer. Their entry profiles require completely different commitments of time and money. Achieving six figures without a degree comes down to one thing: it is not about finding the absolute highest [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/); it is about matching a career’s specific entry requirements to your unique life stage and the constraints you can actually handle. Let’s look at the first major pathway: employer-sponsored [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) and unionized skilled trades. The unique financial advantage here is that you are paid a starting wage on day one. You earn while you learn, allowing you to accumulate zero debt during your [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/). The peak financial outcome is highly lucrative. Specialized trades like elevator installers and power plant operators routinely command median salaries from $85,000 to well over $100,000 a year. That high pay is compensation for immense responsibility. Power plant operators manage massive scale, monitoring complex control consoles to keep heavy infrastructure running safely. The primary trade-off for this financial security is a hazardous work environment. Elevator installers deal with vertical drops, heavy machinery, and extreme physical toll. There is a catch. While you graduate debt-free, starting apprentice wages are low. You have to commit to 4 or 5 years of intense physical labor before you reach those peak journeyman rates. The earn-while-you-learn pathway asks you to exchange your youth and physical endurance for absolute financial stability and zero upfront cost. [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) The second pathway avoids the heavy physical labor, but replaces it with massive regulatory hurdles or steep upfront capital investments. Take the commercial pilot track. The median [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) hits $115,000, but to secure those wings, you pay $60,000 to $90,000 out of pocket for flight school hours. Air traffic controllers require no upfront capital, and they earn an unparalleled median [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of over $135,000, complete with federal retirement benefits. You earn that compensation by managing extreme scale. Controllers oversee the airspace above active runways, maintaining intense focus to ensure the safety of passengers. The non-negotiable entry barrier here is the psychological [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) of rotating shift work. Because of that strain, the FAA enforces a strict mandate: you must apply for the job before your 31st birthday. Even if you meet the age cutoff, you face a rigorous failure rate. You have to secure strict medical clearances and successfully complete the grueling FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. This pathway offers the absolute highest earning potential available without a degree, but it is reserved only for those willing to take massive financial risks or survive highly exclusionary, age-restricted federal screening .The third pathway is the accelerated knowledge sprint. These are intense, self-funded bootcamps or certificate programs that take just 6 to 24 months to complete. In the tech sector, software developers can reach $120,000 median salaries by skipping the computer science degree entirely, proving their skills instead through technical portfolios and coding bootcamps. In medical imaging, radiation therapists and diagnostic medical sonographers reach $80,000 to $120,000 by completing highly focused 2-year associate or certificate programs. These are highly specialized clinical roles. You must master complex diagnostic interfaces and ultrasound equipment to provide accurate imaging for patient care. The severe trade-off here is the financial burden during [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/). Unlike apprentices, you must entirely self-fund your living expenses and pay between $10,000 and $30,000 in tuition while studying full-time. Once you finish your sprint, the job hunt is aggressive. Graduates face a saturated, highly competitive entry-level market where securing that first role takes serious effort. The knowledge sprint pathway trades the 4-year burden of a degree for a highly compressed, high-pressure period of self-funded skill acquisition and a demanding [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). [***3 Great Ways to Answer Tell Me About Yourself***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VF6Z7XQ) Successfully bypassing college entirely depends on matching a career’s specific barrier to entry with your current life stage and physical capacity. This flowchart isolates your decision by asking one central question: what is your biggest constraint? If you are able-bodied and need an immediate income to survive, you must target unionized trades like elevator installation or power plant operations. If you have saved capital, require a physically comfortable environment, and can study full-time, target tech bootcamps or 2-year medical imaging certificates. And if you are strictly under 31, possess a clean background, and thrive under extreme [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/), you should target the elite FAA air traffic control window. Identifying the correct path is only the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/). Executing the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot and actually landing the job is where most people fail. Go to [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) to become an insider. You can get direct [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), access comprehensive video courses, books, and guides, or purchase individual [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) services à la carte to help you execute your pivot. If this video helped you map your path, like, share, and leave a comment below. Be sure to follow the channel to ensure this critical [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) intelligence reaches other people who need it. [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Careers, Career Planning, Text **Tags:** Skip College: Make $100k+ Without a 4-Year College Degree --- ### [Job Hunting Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-mistakes/) **Published:** August 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3017 Today's show discusses specific tips on how to avoid pitfalls and succeed in your job search. **Content:** # Job Hunting Mistakes **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3017 Today’s show discusses common [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) job hunters make, including **assuming too much about a job during an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)**, **forgetting to thank interviewers**, **trusting [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) too much**, **not [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) effectively**, and **underestimating the importance of self-promotion**. They also provide specific tips on how to avoid these pitfalls and succeed in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Hey everyone, and welcome back for another Deep Dive. Yeah, welcome back! Today we’re going to be tackling something I think a lot of us struggle with, and that is how to avoid job hunting [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Yeah, you know, we’ve all been there. We have. And, you know, luckily we have some great information from Caren Machin—she owns Advanced [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Solutions—and then also Jeff Altman… Oh, yeah. …he’s a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach and a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). And they’re sharing their insights and tips on what not to do when you’re on the job hunt. It’s kind of like a secret weapon, right? It is. Getting this advice straight from the experts. Absolutely. The first [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) we’re going to be talking about is assuming too much, and this one really surprised me. Okay. Caren Machin suggests that you shouldn’t over-study the job description before an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Really? I mean, that’s kind of counterintuitive, isn’t it? It is. You would think you’d want to know… Yeah, you would think you’d want to know all about the company and all about the job and everything, but there’s a reason for it. And she says that when you focus too narrowly on the job description, you might miss what the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is really looking for. Hmm. That makes sense. So it’s not about ignoring the job description completely, but understanding that it’s just a starting point. Right. Okay. And it’s also more about understanding the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s unstated needs. Yeah, their motivations. Yes! I mean, think about it. Job descriptions are often generic, right? They are. They are. They’re just using kind of like a template, and it’s really you got to kind of read between the lines to see what is this [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager really looking for. Yes, and I think you bring up a good point about the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, because it is a very personal thing, right? Like they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) somebody to join their team, and it’s their needs that need to be met as well. It is. Yeah. Yeah. And you know, this reminds me of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) I did where a candidate knew every single detail about our company, like they even knew like our board members. Wow. It was crazy, and it just came off as so arrogant. It was like they were just trying to show off all this knowledge and they didn’t connect with us at all. Yeah, they were so focused on being [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) that they forgot to be personable. Yeah! Exactly. And you know, it’s a reminder that like technical skills are important… Mm-hmm. …but so are those soft skills, right? Like personality, communication, and the ability to just connect with people. Right. Absolutely. So how do we avoid falling into that [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) of being over-prepared but under-connected? Well, Caren Machin suggests that you try to take control of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Really? Yeah, early on. How do you do that? Well, instead of just passively answering all their questions, she says you should try to steer the conversation a little bit. Uh-huh. Okay. Ask some insightful questions and really try to figure out what is this [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager all about, what are their priorities. So instead of like a robotic question-and-answer, you’re having more of a genuine conversation. Yeah. Exactly. And you know, you can ask things like, “What are the challenges facing your team?” or “What are your goals for this position?” That’s good. Yeah. And Machin actually shares this story about a candidate who did this really well. They noticed a picture in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s office, and it was the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager sailing. Okay. And instead of, you know, launching into their qualifications, they were like, “Oh, I love sailing too!” and that’s how they started the conversation. So they took something personal that they observed and used that as a jumping-off point. Yeah. Exactly. And it really helped them to establish rapport and like take control of that conversation in a more natural way. Yeah. It’s so easy to get caught up in the nerves and forget that an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is really just you connecting with another human. Yeah. Absolutely. And that’s really important. It is. And it kind of leads us into our next point about remembering the basics… Mm. Yeah. …like thank-you notes… Oh, yeah. …which seem to be like a dying art. They are, but they shouldn’t be. Right. I mean, a simple thank-you note goes a long way. It does. It shows appreciation and it reinforces that you’re interested. And Caren Machin has a rule of three that she suggests. Okay, what’s that? You send a thank-you card immediately after the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Okay. Then you [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with an email within 48 hours. Got it. And then you make a phone call later that week. Wow, that’s a good way to stay top-of-mind without being too much. It is, for sure. But of course there’s a balance, right? Okay. Because Machin also shared a story about this candidate who went overboard… Oh no. …with a thank-you gift, and it was like golf-themed because they assumed that the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager loved golf… Oh… …but it turns out they hated it. Oh no, that’s so awkward. I know. I mean, personalized gestures are great, but you really have to do your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). Yes. Yes, you do. Make sure you know what you’re doing and you’re not just assuming. Exactly. Okay, so be thoughtful and genuine, and don’t try to be flashy. Yeah. Now let’s move on to a topic that could be a little bit sensitive. Okay. And that’s about trusting [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) blindly. Oh, yeah. This is a good one. This comes from both Machin and Altman. They have decades of experience in recruiting, so they’ve seen it all. They have. So how much should you actually tell a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/)? Right, because you want to be open and transparent… Right. …but you also want to kind of protect yourself. Yeah, you don’t want to give away too much. Yeah. And Machin talks about the risk of being back-doored. Have you ever heard of that? Back-doored? No. What is that? So basically, it’s when a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) might use your information to go around you and present another candidate. Okay. Really? Yeah, and they often do this because they’re motivated by their commission. So they’re not really looking out for you; they’re looking out for themselves. Exactly. Yeah. Wow. Yeah, and Altman actually shared this story about how he lost a significant amount of money early in his [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) because he was too trusting. Oh, really? Wow. So it just goes to show you, you got to be savvy, you got to protect yourself. So how do we strike that balance? Well, I think you just have to be upfront with [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Okay. Tell them, “Hey, I’m working with other agencies. I value my confidentiality.” Right. Set some boundaries. Yeah. Be assertive about your needs. Exactly, but keep it professional. Yes. You want to still have that good relationship with them. Okay, so it’s a partnership, but you have to kind of protect yourself a little bit. Exactly. Okay. I think we have time for one more big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) before we move on to part two. All right. Hit me. Let’s talk about that question that we all dread. Which one? “What is your weakness?” Oh, yeah. Nobody likes that one. No. And both Machin and Altman have some good advice about how to handle it. Okay, because like the typical [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) responses just don’t work anymore. No, like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I work too hard.” Like who—are you kidding? Everyone sees right through that. They do! So instead of trying to, you know, make a strength sound like a weakness, just be honest. All right. Right. Oh, really? Yeah, but frame it in a positive way. Okay. So, you know, tell them about an area where you’re genuinely trying to improve, but also, you know, highlight how that weakness could actually be a strength. Uh-huh. So like a weakness-strength combo. Yeah. Mmm. And, you know, Machin gives a great example. She admitted that she’s too passionate… Okay. …sometimes talks too much and gets sidetracked, but she emphasized how her passion drives her to go above and beyond for her clients. Oh, so she spun that into a positive. She did. She did. I see. And you know, it shows self-awareness, [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/), and a willingness to learn. Absolutely. And it also shows authenticity, right? It does. Because trying to be someone you’re not will always backfire. Always. And you know, authenticity builds trust… Yes. …which is so important in any relationship, especially a professional one. Okay, that’s a great place to stop. For now we’ve covered some big [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) to avoid, but we’ll be back with more in part two. We have. Definitely join us. Welcome back. So let’s just jump right into some more common job hunting [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that both Machin and Altman highlighted. Okay, fire away. So first up, we have inconsistent information. Okay. So that’s like when you tell different stories in different [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), or your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) doesn’t match your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile… Mm. Oh yeah, that’s a good point. You got to make sure everything is consistent. Right, you want to present like a unified front. Exactly. And, you know, it makes you seem more reliable. Yes, it does. Okay, so next we have unpreparedness. Okay. This could mean showing up for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) without researching the company or practicing your answers. Oh yeah, that’s a big one. It is, and it shows that you’re not really taking this seriously. Right, you’re not invested. Exactly. Okay, so next up: inappropriate dress. Hmm. This could mean being overdressed or underdressed. Ah, that’s tricky. It is. You got to do your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and figure out what the company culture is like. So you need to kind of blend in. Yeah, you don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. Okay, good advice. Now let’s talk about failing to ask questions. Oh yeah, it’s so easy to just focus on answering their questions. It is, but you should also be asking questions. It shows that you’re engaged and interested. Right. Makes you look smarter. It does. Okay, so moving on, we have last-minute cancellations… Oh. …like blowing off an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) or a call without any notice. Yeah, that’s just rude. It’s super unprofessional. Right. And then there’s ghosting, you know, just disappearing from the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. Oh yeah, that’s not good either. It’s not. Then we have [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) bait-and-switch… Okay. …which means inflating your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) expectations and then trying to renegotiate later. Yeah, that’s not going to work. No. Be upfront about your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) from the start. Okay. And similar to that is trying to change the job, like the location or the travel requirements, during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process. Right. If you don’t like the job description, don’t apply. Exactly. And finally, trying to renegotiate after you’ve already accepted an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Oh, no, no. It’s bad form. Yeah, once you say yes, stick to it. Exactly. Okay, so we’ve talked about a lot of [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). We have, but now let’s talk about something really important: [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). Oh! Altman had some really interesting insights on this. Like what? Well, he said that our networks are often much bigger than we think. I think a lot of people feel like they don’t have a network. Yeah, especially if they’re early in their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). But he pointed out that it’s not just who you know directly… Mhm. …it’s also who they know. Oh, like a chain. Yeah, it’s like a ripple effect. Okay, I see. And he actually used the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) model to explain this. Oh, interesting. It’s everyone you know and everyone that they know who you don’t. Wow, that really expands your reach. It does. And get this: he said that 70% of positions are filled through [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). Really? That’s a lot. It’s huge. And within that 70%, a whopping 70% of those positions are filled by people your network knows, but you don’t. So it’s like this [hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/). It is, and it shows how important it is to tap into those second-level connections. So how do we do that? Well, Altman said you should start by reconnecting with people and just being social. Okay. Don’t even mention that you’re looking for a job at first. Just like be genuine. Yeah, build those relationships. Right, because nobody likes to feel used. Exactly. And then maybe on like the fourth call or so… Uh-huh. …you can casually mention that you’re exploring new opportunities. Oh, that’s good. Yeah, and see if they have any advice or connections. So it’s more organic. Exactly, it’s about building trust. Right, it’s a two-way street. It is. You should also be helping other people. Absolutely. It’s like karma. It is. What goes around comes around. And you know, [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) isn’t just about [finding a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/). Right. It’s about expanding your knowledge, meeting new people, and building relationships that can help you throughout your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). So it’s like a long-term investment. Exactly. And, you know, [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) can happen anywhere. Really? Yeah, at a conference, a party, even the grocery store. You never know who you’re going to meet. Right. So be open to those chance encounters. Good advice. And if you’re introverted or shy… Mhm. …there are still ways to network that feel comfortable for you. Okay. You know, join some online groups, attend industry events, or even just reach out to people on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). So there are options for everyone. There are. And as you build your network, stay organized. Okay. Keep track of your contacts. Maybe use a spreadsheet or an app. Well, that’s a good tip. It is. And remember, [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is an ongoing process. So don’t just do it when you need something. Exactly. Make it a habit. Right. And it’s about being a good friend, a valuable colleague, and a contributing member of your community. Those are all great qualities. They are, and they will help you in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and in life. Hmm. Speaking of qualities that shine through, I know Altman also talked about personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). Yes, he did! And that’s a perfect segue into our next topic. We’ll be talking about the importance of crafting a strong [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) and how it can impact your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) in part three of this Deep Dive. Welcome back. All right, let’s dive into this idea of personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) that Altman was talking about. Okay, yeah, because he said it was crucial for [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) in job hunting, but I don’t really know what that means. Like what is personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/)? Right. Okay, so think of it as like how you present yourself to the world. Hmm. It’s kind of like your reputation, but it’s also about like showcasing your unique skills and experience. So it’s more than just having a good [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). It is. It’s about the whole package. Like what makes you stand out from everyone else? So what you’re passionate about, what you’re good at… Exactly. It’s like telling a story about yourself. But how do you actually do that? How do you build a [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/)? Well, it starts with knowing yourself… Okay. …like what are your core values, what are you really good at, what are you passionate about. Uh-huh. So figuring out what makes you special. Yeah. And once you know that, you can start to express it… Okay. …through your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, even your social media. So it’s about being consistent with your message. Exactly. And remember, your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) can change over time. Right, as you learn new things and gain experience. Exactly. That makes sense. Now, Altman also shared a story about a candidate who lied on his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Oh, no. Yeah, and he ended up getting [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/). Really? Yeah, because he couldn’t actually do the job. So [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/) is really important. It’s crucial. You know, it’s like trying to build a house on a bad foundation. It’s going to crumble. Eventually. And it’s not just about what you say; it’s also how you act. Yeah. Be respectful to everyone. Even the receptionist. Everyone. Treat people how you want to be treated. Good advice. And if you accept a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), don’t back out. Right. Honor your commitments. Exactly. Your reputation is everything. People talk. They do. So be someone that people want to work with. Exactly. You know, job hunting can be tough. It can be. But if you have the right mindset, and you’re willing to learn, and you never give up… Uh-huh. …you’ll find [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Yeah. Okay, so be authentic, network, and be honest. Exactly! Those are great takeaways. I hope this Deep Dive was helpful. It was. Thanks for sharing all these insights. Of course! It’s amazing how much we learn from these videos. I know, right? And we hope you learned a lot, too. Yes. [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of luck on your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Thanks for joining us for another Deep Dive. We’ll see you next time. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Mistakes, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** job hunting mistakes --- ### [You May Not Think of Yourself as Having a Brand #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) **Published:** August 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** People hate the idea of having a personal brand, But whether you like it or not, you have one. **Content:** # You May Not Think of Yourself as Having a Brand #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** *[Click here if you have an issue viewing the video](https://youtube.com/shorts/FomrpftCYBc)* People hate the idea of having a [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), But whether you like it or not, you have one. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Branding **Tags:** You May Not Think of Yourself as Having a Brand --- ### [Being Different Beats Being the Best #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-different-beats-being-the-best-shorts/) **Published:** August 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you're a professional trying to be the best person for the role, you've entered a race to the bottom. **Content:** # **Being Different Beats Being the Best #shorts** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly***](https://youtube.com/shorts/wIVFZ-_bWzw) Being like everyone else makes you like everyone else. How do companies choose you, let alone want to pay you more. From my newest book, “Onlyness: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age [Available on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) for Kindle and audio, and [as a PDF](http://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/onlyness)[ ](http://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/onlyness) If you’re a professional trying to be the best person for the role, you’ve entered a race to the bottom. Being better, being the best—it’s a trap because it’s subjective. It’s a comparison. It invites a hiring manager to put you on a scale against 10 others and then haggle over the price. Don’t do comparisons; do differentiation. You have to move from a generalist title like Director of Marketing to a niche authority title like Market Entry Specialist for European Fintech Firms Entering the US. Notice the difference between the two. I have a lot more that can help you at JobSearch.Community. Come over to the site, download some of the free stuff, become an insider, have access to coaching from me plus all my content, or buy individual pieces of content—whatever works for you. I’m here to help. [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-23-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual coaching. [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Branding **Tags:** Being Different Beats Being the Best --- ### [Ask This Question on Your Next Job Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-this-question-on-your-next-job-interview-3/) **Published:** August 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this video, Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter suggest that you ask this question on your next job interview in order to get a clear idea of your future manager's priorities. **Content:** # Ask This Question on Your Next Job Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) suggest that you ask this question on your next job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) in order to get a clear idea of your future manager’s priorities. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m referred to as [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for 40-plus years. Now, I want to talk with you about a question you can ask on your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to get a clearer picture of the work that’s going to be done. Now, I have other videos that deal with some of the good, general, positive types of questions that you can ask. So look for those videos on YouTube or at my website, thebiggamehunter.us. But I want to give you a new one. I was reading something, and it popped into my mind. So here’s the here’s the question I want you to start asking: What one thing really needs to get done? Now, that’s going to give you a sense of a priority, because it goes beyond simply asking, “So, tell me about the job.” Notice the difference: “Tell me about the job,” and “What one thing really needs to get done by someone in this role?” I think you’ll recognize that that one thing that really needs to get done is the critical thing. It’s going to be the thing that you’re going to get measured against come review time once you’re on board. It’s the thing that’s the hot button for your [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, the thing that you need to excel at, and the thing that could turn you off. So it’s better to know about it before you join, rather than after you’ve been on board for a couple of months and it’s too late for you to go, “Oh, man. If I had only known.” So this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button. Just do something that lets people know that it was worthwhile. Then come over to my website, TheBigGameHunterUS—let’s restate that: TheBigGameHunter.us. You know, there’s content to help you with [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), there’s content to help you with [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), you can search positions I’m recruiting for, find out about my books and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Just go over to TheBigGameHunter.us and go exploring. A few final things. First of all, if we’re not already connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request. My page is [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). Next, if your firm is trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at the address below. Let me know who to contact and whether I should mention your name. I’d love to help your firm staff positions. And finally, if you’ve got a question about [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), contact me through liveperson.com, where I’m a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/). So again, go to liveperson.com. Be real [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to answer your questions. This is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Ask this on your next job interview --- ### [How Executives Win Fractional C-Suite Roles: The Unfiltered Playbook](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-elite-executives-win-fractional-c-suite-roles-the-unfiltered-playbook/) **Published:** October 29, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Top companies are racing to harness the agility and wisdom of fractional leadership—strategic, part-time, and high-impact C-level talent. **Content:** # **How Elite Executives Win Fractional C-Suite Roles: The Unfiltered Playbook** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** The rapid evolution of the modern marketplace has upended executive [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). The gold standard is no longer a single long-term C-suite post; instead, top companies are racing to harness the agility and wisdom of [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leadership—strategic, part-time, and high-impact C-level talent. If you’re reading this, you’re likely not just “looking for a job.” You’re calibrating an entrepreneurial executive [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Here’s how the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) in the business claim the rarest opportunities and establish themselves as indispensable, sought-after [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/). ## **1. Stop Thinking Like a Job Seeker. Build a Boardroom-Grade Value Proposition** True [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) don’t apply for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). They market *transformative outcomes*. Scrap the traditional job-search mindset and embrace an advisory posture. - **Codify Your “Zone of Genius.”** Identify the three most commercially valuable skills you possess (e.g., scaling post-Series B SaaS, GTM launches for PE-backed rollups, orchestrating turnaround M&A)—and build a signature [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) around them. - **Build Executive Collateral.** Go beyond [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): create a “Deal Sheet” or an Executive Impact [Portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) (think: select case studies, 1-slide transformation summaries, video snippets of talks, and reference vignettes from board members). - **Quantify Your Leverage.** What’s the enterprise value you’ve created per engagement? What diagnostic frameworks or proprietary playbooks do you bring that *no internal exec* can replicate? ## **2. Control Demand: Orchestrate Your Inbound Pipeline** Savvy [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leaders **engineer their market visibility**—not just with marketing, but by positioning as a peer to capital and ownership, not as a hired hand. - **Embed in Capital Networks:** Forge direct relationships with investors, PE ops partners, search funds, venture studios, and high-net-worth family offices. *These are the true sources of [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/).* [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) deal-flow briefings, diligence shadowing, or value-creation workshops pro bono—*get called into partner “war rooms.”* - **Establish Thought Leadership (the Right Way):** Don’t just post advice. Instead, analyze live problems—break down visible company failures, walk through anonymized “rescue” ops, participate in executive panels, or syndicate insights to industry influencers and niche newsletters. - **Strategic Board Seats:** [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to join advisory boards or special committees, even pro bono or equity-only. Foot-in-the-door relationships here are the leading on-ramp to A-tier [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) gigs. ## **3. Master Direct Outreach: Hyper-Personalized, Geo-Targeted, and Value-First** If your direct outreach reads as a pitch, you’ve already lost. The elite approach is: - **Hyper-Personal [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/):** Identify companies at inflection points (venture rounds, leadership churn, rapid expansion, regulatory change, post-acquisition integration, digital transformation mandates). Use platforms like CapIQ, Crunchbase, and local deal registries. - **Geo-Targeting and Ecosystem Mapping:** Focus on emerging growth corridors (think: Austin, Miami, Atlanta, and B2B SaaS hubs outside the Valley). Tailor your approach to private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) roll-up markets, family-owned conglomerates in regional cities, or international growth markets where C-suite depth is scarce. - **Lead with Proprietary Insight:** Your first email/LinkedIn InMail should *diagnose a real business challenge* using specifics: “I noticed your latest 10-Q flagged X risk in your channel mix; I’ve architected three $50M turnarounds in this scenario…” That shows business intimacy, not generic CV-pitching. ## **4. 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This is how executive [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) evolve and where leadership becomes exceptional Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2025 [***Where is the Best Place to List a Board Position on My LinkedIn Profile?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b2T) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. 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Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Fractional Work/Consulting, Executive/ C Suite Search, Termp Jobs, Text **Tags:** How Elite Executives Win Fractional C-Suite Roles: The Unfiltered Playbook --- ### [The Fractional Advantage: How to Build Your Practice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) **Published:** August 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Building a thriving fractional practice requires a deliberate, structured framework across four core areas. **Content:** # The Fractional Advantage: How to Build Your Practice **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Full-time executive [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) is slow, expensive, and often excessive for growing companies that only need strategic direction. 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Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Where is the Best Place to List a Board Position on My LinkedIn Profile?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b2T) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***The Mechanics of the Job Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-rv) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Fractional Work/Consulting **Tags:** The Fractional Advantage: How to Build Your Practice --- ### [Is It a Good Sign If a Recruiter Wants to Call Your References? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-good-sign-if-a-recruiter-wants-to-call-your-references-shorts/) **Published:** August 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Maybe. Maybe not. **Content:** # Is It a Good Sign If a Recruiter Wants to Call Your References? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/XxgnlcS2HJM) **Maybe. Maybe not.** ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** References, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Recruiters **Tags:** Is It a Good Sign If a Recruiter Wants to Call Your References? --- ### [If At First … #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/__trashed-5/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This quote is a reminder from WC Fields. **Content:** # If At First … #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** This [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) is a reminder from WC Fields. [***Referring to Everyone as Guys***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lnj) **“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then give up. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it.” That’s from WC Fields.** [***Tough Interview Questions for Managers: What Qualities Are Most Important When Managing a Team***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iuR) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. [***I Keep Sending Out Resumes, Following Up and Getting No Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bXY) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Quotes, #Shorts, Text **Tags:** giving up, If it first you don't succeed, Quote, Quote of the day, quotes, Quotes about success, Success, Success quotes, successful, WC Fields --- ### [The Shift to Pull Dynamics: How to Force the Market to Chase You](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The executive job market is structurally divided into two distinct operational modes: Push Dynamics and Pull Dynamics. **Content:** # The Shift to Pull Dynamics: How to Force the Market to Chase You **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The executive job market is structurally divided into two distinct operational modes: **Push Dynamics** and **Pull Dynamics**. Most professionals spend their entire [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) stuck in Push Dynamics. When they need a new role, they update their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as though it were a history book, buy a premium subscription to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or a job board, and start pushing their credentials out into the market. They push their profiles through [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), push their messages into recruiters’ inboxes, and push their networks for introductions. This is an inherently weak, commodity posture. You are presenting yourself as a job hunter begging for permission to enter the building. If you want to operate at the highest tier of corporate compensation and leverage, you have to transition to Pull Dynamics. You do not hunt for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/); you engineer a professional [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) that makes you structurally desirable, forcing the market to seek you out. To become a magnet for enterprise talent acquisition teams, venture capital partners, and executive [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), open-source your execution framework. You have to move past standard credentialing and build an undisputed online and offline monopoly around a specific, high-stakes business transformation. Here is the exact blueprint for shifting the leverage and forcing the market to chase you. ### 1. The Online Protocol: Open-Sourcing Your Frameworks Most senior operators treat their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile like a digital tombstone–a static record of where they went to school and what titles they held at corporations that no longer matter. When a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or a venture [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) partner lands on a profile like that, they see a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) placeholder. They have no visibility into how you actually think, manage, or execute. To build pull [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) online, aggressively unbundle your expertise. Stop publishing generic corporate announcements, congratulations notes, or high-level industry platitudes. Instead, treat your digital footprint as a living, clinical ledger of raw execution. Use your platform to publish no BS autopsies of common structural failures within your niche and how you solved them. - Document the Friction:** Pick a live, burning operational liability that your target companies are facing right now (e.g., post-merger database synchronization lag, international supply chain margin compression, or mid-tier infrastructure churn). Break down exactly *why* standard management theory fails to solve it. - Expose the Engine:** Don’t just say you solved a problem; open-source your literal step-by-step checklist. Publish the exact multi-phase operational layout you deployed to fix the drag. Give away the diagnostic logic, the performance metrics you tracked, and the structural organizational changes you enforced. When you consistently put out high-quality execution stories with data, you are running a massive counter-signal to the noise of the market. Corporate decision-makers do not see someone looking for a job; they see an authority figure who has already diagnosed their internal deficit. When a headhunter runs a database query for your domain, your content serves as undeniable proof of competence. They don’t pull you into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to vet your skills; they pull you into a boardroom to buy your playbook. ### 2. The Offline Protocol: Constructing the Specialist Ecosystem While your online footprint handles top-of-funnel discovery, your offline strategy determines your close rate and contract authority. To be hyper-desirable elsewhere, step out of traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) circles which are typically full of other people looking for a life raft and position yourself within the ecosystems where capital is deployed. The highest-leverage offline positioning happens within the **advisory and investment matrix**. Find the mid-market private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) operating partners, boutique venture capitalists, and specialized investment bankers who handle transactions within your functional domain. These individuals manage high-value corporate assets and are under constant operational pressure. They don’t read job boards, and they don’t look at typical [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). They need a Rolodex of trusted operators who can step into a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company at a moment’s notice to stabilize a crisis or accelerate a transition. Initiate offline contact not by asking for a job or a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) discussion, but by offering market intelligence. Reach out to an operating partner with a precise, one-page assessment of a macroeconomic or structural shift affecting one of their current investments. [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) them a clean diagnostic tool or a brief evaluation framework they can hand directly to their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) CEOs to protect their unit economics. When you consistently deliver frictionless value to the people managing capital, you insulate yourself from the traditional applicant pool. You become the go-to specialist they call before a [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) is ever retained. ### The Bottom Line Desirability is not an accident of your pedigree or the prestigious names on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). It is a calculated byproduct of structural positioning. As long as you keep your execution blueprints hidden behind closed doors and rely on a standardized database [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to validate your worth, you will remain trapped in the commodity push cycle. Take command of your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Turn your cumulative industry scars into a public, repeatable transformation framework. Build your digital monopoly through uncompromised, high-quality data sharing online, and anchor your reputation directly with the operators who deploy capital offline. Give the market undeniable visibility into your leverage, stop playing by the compliance rules of human resource software, and force the world’s highest-paying organizations to come looking for you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Become Desirable to Employers, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** The Shift to Pull Dynamics: How to Force the Market to Chase You --- ### [Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-falling-into-resume-gaps/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Stop Falling into Resume Gaps #### [By Jacob Share](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/author/admin/ "Visit Author Page") [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/), Professional Blogger, Creative Thinker, Community Builder with a sense of humor. I like to help people. [Republished with permission](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/resume-gaps/) ## How I explained my gaping resume gap [![starvingphd resume gaps tweet](https://jobmob.co.il/files/2015/03/starvingphd-tweet-resume-gaps.png)](https://twitter.com/starvingphd/status/580989026343129089) Not all [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps are signs of poor job searching, sometimes there are good reasons for gaps in [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). During my [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) in 2006, the question was often phrased like this: *“I see that you worked at Amazon.com in France until August 2001, but that your next job only began over a year later in October 2002. What happened there?”* I would usually grin out of familiarity with the question and then reply with something like this: *“In August 2001, I resigned from my managerial position at Amazon.com in France because I wanted to move back to Israel.* *My plan was to take some time off to get settled in Jerusalem properly, without rushing, and then relax because I was exhausted from working at Amazon.* *Once I was feeling energized and ready to go back to work, I began evaluating what my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) options would be locally. Unfortunately, by the time I began looking for work in December 2001, the Dot-com Bust (or ‘Internet Crash’, as they said here in Israel) was in full swing, companies were closing, hitech (tech industry) people were being [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) left and right, and almost none of them were going to be replaced.”* *![Resume gap](https://jobmob.co.il/images/articles/funny/resume-gap-cartoon.jpg "Resume gap")* (At this point in the story, the Human Resources rep. or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is usually nodding because they too remember what it was like during that tough time.) *“I spent the next 8 months looking for work like so many other people, receiving only a few offers that I had to refuse because they didn’t make sense financially.* *One company offered to pay LESS than minimum wage to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me as a Senior Project Manager (a position that normally earns 8-10 times that amount). I would have had to take a second job to pay all my bills. Good thing I didn’t join them, they went bankrupt 3 months later.* *In the summer of 2002, one of my former bosses from Amazon said that if I came back to France he would give me a terrific job with his new company. With my savings dwindling and an appealing [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in hand, I couldn’t refuse.* *However, it still took a few more months before I could start my new job because now I needed to move from Jerusalem back to Paris and get settled in there. In parallel, my new company wasn’t even ready for me yet so the timing worked out well for both sides, and I finally began working in October 2002.”* https://twitter.com/itsabsaf/status/1321632128535162882 ## Why this resume gap story works Let’s analyze that answer to the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gap question: - *“In August 2001, I resigned from my managerial position at Amazon.com in France because I wanted to move back to Israel.”* I wasn’t [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) or [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/), I resigned. **It was my choice to become unemployed**. - *“My plan was to take some time off to get settled in properly, without rushing, and then relax because I was exhausted from working at Amazon. Once I was feeling energized and ready to go back to work, I began evaluating what my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) options would be locally.”* **Needing time after a transcontinental move is very understandable** to get settled in, and it takes more than a week. Saying that “I was exhausted from work” is a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) unless you can **convince the interviewer that it won’t happen again** at their company. That said, everyone knows that [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) is tiring and this “slip” of truth can actually work in your favor by showing your [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/). - *“Unfortunately, by the time I began looking for work in December 2001, the Dot-com Bust was in full swing, companies were closing, hitech people were being [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) left and right, and almost none of them were going to be replaced.”* Anyone who’s been through the ordeal will remember what it’s like to be in industry- or economy-wide recessions, and how difficult [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) is during those moments in time. No one will fault you for getting caught up in such **events that were clearly out of your control**. - *“I spent the next 8 months looking for work like so many other people, receiving only a few offers that I had to refuse because they didn’t make sense financially. One company offered to pay LESS than minimum wage to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me as a Senior Project Manager. I would have had to take a second job to pay all my bills. Good thing I didn’t join them, they went bankrupt 3 months later.”* (The same goes when explaining [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps due to illnesses, and that includes mental illnesses and [depression](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/depression-test/). If it was out of your control, say so and people will usually understand.) Not only was it my choice to become unemployed, **it was my choice to stay unemployed**. Also, it was worth pointing out that although there weren’t many, I was still getting offers during a tough time. - *“In the summer of 2002, one of my former bosses from Amazon said that if I came back to France he would give me a terrific job with his new company. With my savings dwindling and an appealing [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in hand, I couldn’t refuse. However, it still took a few more months before I could start my new job because now I needed to move from Jerusalem back to Paris and get settled in there. In parallel, my new company wasn’t even ready for me yet so the timing worked out well for both sides, and I finally began working in October 2002.”* Any HR rep. or [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) knows that **a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process can take a few months** before the candidate actually becomes an employee. Finally, it’s important to emphasize that when telling this story to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) during my 2006 job hunt, I wasn’t an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) on [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). My above reply was a result of simply trying to **tell the truth in a positive light** and seeing how people reacted, including their followup questions or remarks. ## 7 tips for explaining your own work gaps [![erinkennedycprw career gap tweet](https://jobmob.co.il/files/2015/03/erinkennedycprw-career-gap-tweet.png)](https://twitter.com/ErinKennedyCPRW/status/580205247613779969) 1\) Be honest [![↘️️ Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://jobmob.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resume-gaps-3.png)](https://twitter.com/Jeremybearimy_/status/1318843059778408451) Don’t try to hide the gap. Many people have prolonged periods [between jobs](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/between-jobs/), at least once in their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Think of how many stay at home moms try to re-enter [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) once their kids get older! Having a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gap is not so unusual, so don’t make it seem to be unusual. 2\) Show it off, even [![↘️️ Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://jobmob.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resume-gaps-4.png)](https://twitter.com/itsdendo/status/1321169382366732289) If you took advantage by using the time between [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) to improve your skills or otherwise make yourself into a more valuable candidate. 3\) Emphasize it was by choice (if true) [![↘️️ Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://jobmob.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resume-gaps-5.png)](https://twitter.com/fordey70/status/1321617361380773889) Put a positive spin by explaining how you were selective when [targeting companies](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/why-target-companies-early/ "Why You Must Target Companies Early") or contemplating job offers. 4\) Use history [![↘️️ Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://jobmob.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resume-gaps-6.png)](https://twitter.com/kr_mcluckie/status/1319778231113912321) If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gap overlaps a period of difficulty in your entire industry or your country’s economy, mention it. In 2020, the [coronavirus outbreak is disrupting many job searches](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/coronavirus-job-search-effects/). Or- perhaps you weren’t job searching the whole time but there was a major event in your personal life that required extraordinary attention. ‘Going historical’ works especially well if the job interviewer can empathize because they may have experienced the same event. 5\) Make your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gap a non-issue [![↘️️ Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://jobmob.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resume-gaps-7.png)](https://twitter.com/GodFadr/status/1319006041963696129) How? By listing directly on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) what you did during the time between [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), especially if the time was regularly spent in a framework such as a school or [volunteering program](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/how-to-choose-volunteer-work/). 6\) De-emphasize [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps with a functional [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [![↘️️ Stop Falling into Resume Gaps](https://jobmob.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/resume-gaps-8.png)](https://twitter.com/LucyEverleigh/status/1320893638159798272) [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps stand out in a chronological [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), the classic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) type that details your work history over time and, by literally reading between the lines, your non-work history. Using a functional [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) emphasizes your skills and achievements over the aspect of time. 7\) Just avoid [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps outright… By job searching intelligently so that you don’t need to search longer than necessary. Improve your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) skills before you need them, at the very least by following [blogs like JobMob](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/top-career-job-search-blog-articles/ "93 Most Linked To Articles of Top Job Search and Career Blogs") even while you’re still employed. [![youranmoron resume gap tweet](https://jobmob.co.il/files/2015/03/youranmoron-resume-gap-tweet.png)](https://twitter.com/YourAnMoron/status/577515510813732864) **What others are saying** - [Long-Term Unemployed? 5 Options to Bridge That “Employment Gap”](https://www.job-hunt.org/recruiters/filling-employment-gaps.shtml) - [Job Hopper? 6 Quick Fixes to Cover Resume Gaps](https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/job-hopper-cover-those-resume-gaps-now/) - [Explaining The Gap: Dos and Don’ts](https://apresgroup.com/explaining-gap-dos-donts/) - [Closing A Career Gap On Your Resume](https://www.careerigniter.com/career-advice/closing-a-career-gap-on-your-resume/) **Question of the article** Should [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps matter? Aren’t your work accomplishments more important than what happened when you were off work? [Tell us in the comments](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/resume-gaps/#comments). **Bonus: How to explain gaps in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) (how to explain a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) break) | [Employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) gaps [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) examples** #### [Jacob Share](https://jobmob.co.il/blog/author/admin/ "Visit Author Page") [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/), Professional Blogger, Creative Thinker, Community Builder with a sense of humor. I like to help people. ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![JeffAltman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)JeffAltman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with more than 1900 episodes, and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) If you have a quick question for me, you can get it answered with a 3-5 minute video at [https://www.wisio.com/TheBigGameHunter](). [Want to do it live](https://thebiggamehunter.us/MeetMe)? If you want to learn how to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) like a pro, order “[The Ultimate Job Interview Framework](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-ultimate-job-interview-framework/)” from udemy.com www.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews The Kindle and print versions are available on Amazon. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice).![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter | Job Coach](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Jeff-Atlman-Job-Hunting-Coach-Job-Search-Coach-280x300.jpg) Join and attend my classes on Skillshare. [Become a premium member and get 2 months free.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Skillshare)** Watch my videos on YouTube at JobSearchTV.com, the Job SearchTV app for FireTV, Roku or a firestick or BingeNetworks.tv for AppleTV and 90 smart tv platforms. You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” [Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2). It helps other people discover the show like you did. *[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio podcast, [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Radio Podcast, The [No BS Coaching Advice podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/), JobSearchTV.com and other content with all rights reserved, as well as his right of publicity.* *WHAT YOU’RE WELCOME TO DO:* *You are welcome to share a transcript (up to 500 words but not more) in media articles (e.g., The New York Times, LA Times, The Guardian), on your personal website, in a non-commercial article or blog post (e.g., Medium), and/or on a personal social media account for non-commercial purposes, provided that you include attribution to “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” “Job Search Radio,”” The [No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/),” “JobSearchTV.com”as well as other content and link back to the TheBigGameHunter.us/url. For the sake of clarity, media outlets with advertising models are permitted to use excerpts from the transcript per the above.* *WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED:* *No one is authorized to copy any portion of the podcast content or use Jeff Altman’s name, image or likeness for any commercial purpose or use, including without limitation inclusion in any books, e-books, book summaries or synopses, or on a commercial website or social media site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) that offers or promotes your or another’s products or services. For the sake of clarity, media outlets are permitted to use photos of [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/).* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Stop Falling into Resume Gaps --- ### [Nailing the Virtual Interview: 16 Tips and Lessons Learned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/nailing-the-virtual-interview-16-tips-and-lessons-learned/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In navigating the nuances of virtual interviews, sixteen professionals, from career coaches to CEOs, have shared their wisdom. **Content:** # Nailing the Virtual Interview: 16 Tips and Lessons Learned ## [Originally published on vCandidates.com](https://www.vcandidates.com/nailing-the-virtual-interview-16-tips-and-lessons-learned/) In navigating the nuances of virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), sixteen professionals, from [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaches to CEOs, have shared their wisdom. From the importance of practicing responses on camera to the significance of [following up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-follow-up-if-the-employer-said-no-calls-or-emails/) with developed ideas, this compilation offers a comprehensive guide to making a lasting impression in the digital [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) landscape. - Practice Responses on Camera - Stage Your [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Environment - Create a Relevant Background - Treat Virtual [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) Seriously - Showcase Abilities with Visuals - Forge Genuine Interviewer Connections - Leverage Multiple Screens for [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) - [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) Company Culture Thoroughly - Ensure Professional Visual Presentation - Prepare Environment and Tech - Simulate [Eye Contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) with Camera - Ask Insightful Company Questions - Arrive Early to Virtual [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) - Set Realistic Work-Life Boundaries - Dress Formally for Virtual [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) - [Follow Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with Developed Ideas ### Practice Responses on Camera I’ve helped many people successfully prepare for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and get the job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) they want. One simple but absolutely critical part of preparation that many people skip is rehearsing their responses to common or likely [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions. Not only should they write down the main points they want to get across (i.e., making sure they get to talk about their [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) qualifications and strengths), but they should also practice speaking them out loud on camera with [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/). Rehearsing is a [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) practice for every type of [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), but doing so in front of a camera for virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) could make the difference between a smooth, confident delivery and awkward pauses and filler words. If you really want the job, invest the time in rehearsing out loud on camera. ![Linda Evans](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/12298.webp)[Linda Evans](https://www.linkedin.com/in/launchedbylinda/) [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach, [Launched By Linda](https://www.launchedbylinda.com/) --- ### Stage Your Interview Environment One thing that people neglect during virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) is staging. We focus so much on ourselves—what we wear, what we say, and how we present ourselves. But often, we forget to pay attention to our environments. I’ve been on more calls than I can count where people have had dirty laundry, unmade beds, and potentially offensive materials in their surroundings. So, take a few minutes and think about how your interviewer might perceive the things that are within the frame, and adjust accordingly. Additionally, you might consider what would resonate with your interviewer. For example, certain book titles could amplify something you’re trying to communicate about yourself, your knowledge, and experience. ![Dennis Consorte](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/4429.webp)[Dennis Consorte](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisconsorte/) Digital Marketing and Leadership [Consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) for Startups, [Snackable Solutions](https://snackablesolutions.com/) --- ### Create a Relevant Background Instead of turning on a virtual or blurred background, create a space behind you that is not only visually appealing but also grabs the attention of the interviewers. While some people think that a virtual/blurred background is preferred, it can be very distracting, as it often makes part of your hair or body disappear. I know it can be challenging, depending on the home’s setup, but if possible, choose background objects that are aligned with where you are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). Talking to someone at an environmental startup? Turn your camera towards your plants in a window. Having a panel [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for a creative job? Position your laptop so that you can showcase unusual art on your walls. Meeting with the CEO of a restaurant group? Dazzle them with your fancy espresso machine. [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), virtual or in-person, should be an opportunity to showcase who you are, so let your background be a compelling part of your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) story. ![Denise Fowler](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/12333.webp)[Denise Fowler](https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseriebmanfowler/) Founder and [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach, [Career Happiness Coaching](https://careerhappinesscoaching.com/) --- ### Treat Virtual Interviews Seriously Take it seriously. Don’t [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) a virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) as being more informal than one conducted in person. A virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is not merely about convenience. It’s an opportunity for the interviewer to assess you on several different levels. For that reason, it’s not something you want to take “on the fly”—squeezing it in around other activities, like walking or driving to another meeting, or taking an extended break in a noisy coffee shop. Dedicate time in your calendar, and make sure to include a time buffer between commitments. Rushing to an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) from another meeting or appearing anxious to end the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) so you can get to your next meeting doesn’t work in your favor when you are striving to make a strong impression. Find a quiet space, be mindful of any distractions like noise and activity around you, and take a minute or two to reset, so that when you show up, you’re fully present and [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). It’s important because that’s exactly what the person who is about to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) you did. They blocked time in their calendar—dedicating a portion of their day to give their full attention to you. Being fully present and [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) respects their interest and their time. ![Jennifer Lee](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/14863.webp)[Jennifer Lee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lee-8b361b8/) Life and [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach, [Up Front Coach](https://www.upfrontcoach.ca/) --- ### Showcase Abilities with Visuals Look really carefully at the requirements and expectations of the job. Can you find one way to visually showcase your ability to deliver on this based on either [past performance](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-your-past-performance-promises-shorts/) or through another avenue, with proven results? Mock up something that particularly stands out. Ask the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) contact if you will be able to share your screen. If so, prepare a few answers that allow you to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) back to this document. If not, ask if you can share it in advance so that you may [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) to it. Save a few items for the follow-up—a great way to stand out in the thank-you process is to include a takeaway like this that points back to their needs and your reminder that you can deliver on it. Also, don’t overthink this. So few candidates go the extra mile like this; remember to keep it simple, relevant to their needs, and visually nice and professional. Remote work is competitive! This tip can help you stand out. ![Nikki Ryberg, MHRLR, CPRW, GCDF](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/11629.webp)[Nikki Ryberg, MHRLR, CPRW, GCDF](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkiryberg) [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach, [Ryberg Group, LLC](https://ryberggroup.com/) --- ### Forge Genuine Interviewer Connections Creating a genuine connection goes a long way. In my [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) experience, I have found that this will leave a lasting impression on their overall performance. This is a crucial part of virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), which has the potential to make you different from other applicants. Connecting with interviewers is [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) accomplished by connecting with yourself. Going beyond the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and expressing your personality and enthusiasm is where the connection starts. Telling relevant tales of previous working experience, along with highlighting your skills, naturally explains how you are as a working professional. Asking insightful questions that show your genuine interest in the company and expressing your enthusiasm for the position are some other useful ways to connect with interviewers. Virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) are also conversations; hence, it is important to treat the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) panel as if you were meeting them in person. ![Ben Richardson](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/19089.webp)[Ben Richardson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-richardson-6a7b9a1/) Director, [Acuity Training](https://www.acuitytraining.co.uk/) --- ### Leverage Multiple Screens for Research Having your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) open on a different screen is one advantage of online meetings, as you can have multiple screens at the same time. I use my laptop with an ultrawide screen on the desk positioned above it. This setup allows me to have my notes about the company in front of me, enabling me to ask in-depth questions about job-related things that demonstrate: 1) That I have done my [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), and 2) That I understand the challenges of the position, situation, or role. Additionally, you can quickly Google things related to the context and come across as more knowledgeable. ![Dag Flachet](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/12865.webp)[Dag Flachet](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagflachet/) Co-Founder and Professor, [Codific](https://codific.com/) --- ### Research Company Culture Thoroughly Researching the company beforehand is crucial. Doing your own [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on the company before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) will show that potential employer that you are actually interested in the company itself and not just a paycheck. Not to mention, researching the company will also give you a feel for the company’s culture and whether or not you feel a fit with said company. I recommend digging through the company’s website for first-hand [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on what they stand for and how they function. From there, I highly suggest checking out their reviews on a website like Glassdoor, which will show you reviews from past and current employees. Bonus tip: You might even be able to find the questions they’ll ask you for your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on Glassdoor too! ![Matthew Johnson](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/15991.webp)[Matthew Johnson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-in-marketing/) Paid Media Manager, [MWI](https://mwi.com/) --- ### Ensure Professional Visual Presentation When doing a video job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), it’s important to make [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) with the interviewer. Ensure your camera setup allows for this by using Zoom to see yourself on camera and adjust your setup accordingly. In speaker view, aim to make [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) as if you were in the room with them. Additionally, choose clothing that stands out against your backdrop and ensure your face is well-lit without causing glare on glasses, if you wear them. I achieve this by using a ring light and directing the light to reflect off a wall onto my face. However, most people can set up their lighting to avoid having a dark appearance without the need for a ring light. Make sure your background is uncluttered and does not distract from the focus on you during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). ![Jeff Altman](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/21905.webp)[Jeff Altman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Global [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Coach, [The Big Game Hunter, Inc.](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/) --- ### Prepare Environment and Tech Start by giving your housemates a heads-up about your upcoming interview—share the date and time. Right before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) begins, casually remind them to keep things quiet and distraction-free while you’re in action. It’s a bonus if you can coax them into a separate room to give you some space and help you stay focused. Consider hopping onto the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) call a cool five minutes early. This not only ensures your tech is running smoothly but also gives you a buffer for any unexpected hiccups. While you wait, hit that mute button; it’s standard practice and keeps things professional. Turn off all notifications five minutes before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), both on your phone and laptop. ![David Skinner ](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/15551.webp)David Skinner, Commercial Kitchen Designer, [TAG Catering Equipment](https://www.tagukltd.com/) --- ### Simulate Eye Contact with Camera It’s very tempting during a virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to look at yourself on the computer screen instead of looking into the camera or at the interviewer(s). This can be because of nerves, habit, or you simply may not even realize you’re doing it. Looking people in the eye as much as possible, even if it’s virtually, helps you to create a connection with the person you’re speaking with. This shows you are confident and are not easily distracted. I recommend looking right into the camera, or at least at the person on your screen. It’s obvious when you are looking elsewhere, and it can make you seem disinterested. ![Scott Evans](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/22145.webp)[Scott Evans](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pinkstorage/?originalSubdomain%3Duk) Co-Founder, [Pink Self Storage](https://www.pinkstorage.co.uk/) --- ### Ask Insightful Company Questions In my experience, one thing you can do to excel in virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and make a positive impression on interviewers is to use your time wisely. It’s tempting to spend all your time talking about yourself, but that’s not what the interviewer wants to hear. You’re not there for them; you’re there for yourself! So, instead of talking about yourself, ask questions about what the role will entail. What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? What skills are most important for this position? How does this company function? By asking these types of questions, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in working with them—and they’ll see that they have an opportunity to work with someone who really gets it! ![Gert Kulla](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/21221.webp)[Gert Kulla](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gert-kulla-11a88038/) CEO, [Batlinks](https://batlinks.io/) --- ### Arrive Early to Virtual Interviews Arriving five minutes early is a stellar tip for virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). It not only showcases your punctuality but also demonstrates your eagerness and professionalism. Being prompt sets a positive tone and reveals your commitment to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process. By joining early, you signal that you value the interviewer’s time and are well-prepared for the virtual meeting. It allows you to troubleshoot any technical issues beforehand, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) experience. Additionally, it gives you a moment to compose yourself, review key points, and enter the conversation with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). This small window of early arrival is a golden opportunity to make a lasting [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/). It reflects your proactive approach and attention to detail—qualities that resonate positively with potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Remember, in the virtual realm, where impressions are formed quickly, those five minutes can make a significant impact on how you are perceived throughout the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). So, seize the chance to stand out from the start by being the candidate who not only meets expectations but exceeds them with promptness and preparedness. ![Mahesh Kumar](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/8876.webp)Mahesh Kumar Spokesperson, [Transcription Certification Institute](https://www.transcriptioncertificationinstitute.org/) --- ### Set Realistic Work-Life Boundaries It’s essential to resist the temptation to pledge constant availability or a 24/7 online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). While dedication is valued, setting realistic expectations is equally important. Being upfront about the boundaries and limitations of remote work helps in establishing trust and authenticity. Instead of committing to an unsustainable level of availability, emphasize your commitment to productivity, timely communication, and meeting deadlines. Discuss how you manage your time effectively, prioritize tasks, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Interviewers appreciate candidates who are honest about their capabilities and are proactive in finding effective solutions. Striking the right balance between commitment and practicality not only makes a positive impression during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) but also lays the foundation for a successful and sustainable remote working relationship. ![Diana Royanto](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/4596.webp)[Diana Royanto](https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-royanto-721b01b7/) Writer, [Milkwhale](https://milkwhale.com/) --- ### Dress Formally for Virtual Interviews In the age of remote work, a vital tip for excelling in virtual interviews—particularly in fields like accounting—is to dress professionally, typically opting for a suit and tie or a formal shirt. This approach is reinforced in my workplace, where the consensus is to treat virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with the same level of formality as in-person ones. While some may consider a button-down shirt adequate, the prevalent opinion is to err on the side of formality. This demonstrates seriousness and respect for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process, ensuring a positive impression on interviewers. ![Michael Ferrara](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/23209.webp)[Michael Ferrara](https://www.linkedin.com/in/conceptualtech/) Information Technology Specialist, [Conceptual Technology](https://www.conceptualtech.com/) --- ### Follow Up with Developed Ideas In remote [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), particularly in marketing and SEO, it’s common to brainstorm ideas on the spot. However, these ideas typically remain undeveloped within the interview’s time constraints. I find it particularly impressive when candidates, post-interview, take the initiative to expand one of these ideas into a concrete project and share it with me. This level of dedication and proactivity in a virtual setting is a compelling reason to consider such candidates for the role. ![Robert Brandl](https://terkel-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/expert-images/24458.webp)[Robert Brandl](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbrandl/) Founder and CEO, [EmailToolTester](https://www.emailtooltester.com/) ***[Self Sabotage: A Misdiagnosis](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Pq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free strategic advisory call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Video Interviewing, Text **Tags:** Nailing the Virtual Interview: 16 Tips and Lessons Learned --- ### [Resume Mistakes: Being Vague or Verbose #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-being-vague-or-verbose-shorts/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is sooo true. Being vague or, it's opposite, verbose can kill your interview chances **Content:** # Resume Mistakes: Being Vague or Verbose #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/uWrcNaSXMJ8) This is sooo true. Being vague or, it’s opposite, verbose can kill your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) chances [***Stupid Resume Mistakes– Objectives***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9lM) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[Elevator Pitches](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-e7G)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Staying Relevant***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-enx) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Resume Mistakes: Being Vague or Verbose --- ### [How to Master Follow-Ups](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-master-follow-ups/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here is how to build a disciplined follow-up system that turns radio silence into real job offers. **Content:** # How to Master Follow-Ups **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most job hunters quit after a single [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) email, right when decision-makers are actually ready to convert. If you are relying on luck or sending generic “just checking in” notes, you are actively killing your prospects. Here is how to build a disciplined [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) system that turns radio silence into real job offers. You have a fantastic coffee chat. They shake your hand and say, “Let’s keep in touch.” You go home feeling confident. Then, a week passes, and your inbox stays completely empty. In the silence, our instinct is to look for flaws in our own value. We rewrite the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), we second-guess the answers we gave in the meeting, and we wonder if the market has simply moved on without us. This chart shows why those self-doubts are usually misplaced. 80% of opportunities are actually won in the weeks following that first handshake. Yet, nearly half of all professionals stop reaching out after their very first attempt. This timeline illustrates a process called chronological decay. A lead that starts warm on day one slowly freezes by day 30. Not because of a lack of talent, but through a predictable series of missed windows and unspoken hesitations. Surviving this silence isn’t a matter of luck or [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/). It requires navigating specific psychological traps that occur at fixed points on the calendar. The first [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) snaps shut within 48 hours of a meeting: perfectionism paralysis. You sit down to write a thank-you note, but you want to craft the exact right sentence. So you wait. You tell yourself you are waiting until you have something deeply insightful to share. In reality, this is procrastination disguised as high standards. Imposter syndrome convinces you that a simple greeting is inadequate, resulting in you sending nothing at all. If you do manage to send that first note, you might fall into the second [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) between days three and five: the suffocation strategy. When you don’t get an immediate reply, [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) takes over. You send a panic [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/), reaching out too fast and too often. This crowds the recipient’s inbox and creates friction where there used to be goodwill. The fix for both extremes is structural. You need to give every interaction 3 to 5 business days of breathing room. Your internal clock is running on high adrenaline, treating every quiet hour as a [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/). The employer’s clock is moving much slower. Week one is simply about pacing your outreach to match their reality. By week two, that [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) often flattens into a vague nudge. You type out the phrase, “just checking in.” This signals laziness. It pushes your needs to the top of their inbox without offering a single reason for them to care. A successful message delivers value instead of demanding attention. Sharing a recent industry article or a specific insight related to your previous conversation gives the recipient a low-pressure reason to engage. As week three approaches, desperation tends to peak. People make a heavy ask, requesting a direct [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) or a 30-minute meeting. Asking for high-friction favors from someone who hasn’t replied to your last email practically guarantees continued silence. Replace that demand with a micro-commitment. Ask a single, highly specific question that requires only a brief yes or no response. Lowering the barrier to reply removes the dread from their inbox. It proves you understand the value of their time, positioning you as someone who provides help rather than someone looking to extract it. After a month of sparse communication, most professionals adopt a futility mindset. You assume their silence is a polite [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/), and you stop reaching out entirely. Real opportunities rarely materialize after two emails. They often emerge between the 6th and 12th touchpoint, long after your competitors have given up. A lack of response almost never means a permanent no. It usually means a project was delayed, a budget was frozen, or the person is simply buried in their own immediate priorities. To capture the opportunity when their schedule finally opens up, you have to deposit value steadily over several months. Spacing out thoughtful check-ins ensures you are the first person they think of when the timing is right. Candidates who secure the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) roles don’t always hold the most impressive [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). They consistently operate the most persistent, polite [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) routines. Managing a dozen relationships over a six-month period requires flawless memory and perfect discipline. Since humans possess neither, you have to shift the burden to a reliable system. This diagram shows the mechanics of a basic tracking system. It records who you met and what you discussed, and then it automatically flags the exact date for your next touchpoint. Relying on a tracker removes the agonizing guesswork of when to reach out. It turns an anxiety-inducing emotional decision into a simple, data-driven task. When you treat [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) as a repeatable process rather than a series of one-off favors, you stop relying on luck. A reliable record ensures that your connections remain active and organized, no matter how much time passes between meetings. To refine your strategy and get [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) guidance, visit JobSearch.Community. You’ll find [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), along with video courses, books, and guides designed to help you execute these tactics. And if you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe and share it with someone navigating their own search. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) [***6 Tips for Successful Job Search Networking***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hzv) [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Follow Up **Tags:** How to Master Follow-Ups --- ### [Should I Go Behind The Recruiter's Back and Apply Directly? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-go-behind-the-recruiters-back-and-apply-directly-shorts/) **Published:** August 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Should you try to bypass recruiters and apply for a job directly? **Content:** # Should I Go Behind The Recruiter’s Back and Apply Directly? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/NzDsXwTqSVg) Should you try to bypass [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and apply for a job directly? ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) [***6 Tips for Successful Job Search Networking***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hzv) [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Recruiters **Tags:** Should I Go Behind The Recruiter's Back and Apply Directly? --- ### [I Received an Offer Without Interviewing. How Can I Tell If It Is Legit?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-received-an-offer-without-interviewing-how-can-i-tell-if-it-is-legit/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I know someone that this happened to and share their story as part of my answer and then add on a few details. **Content:** # I Received an Offer Without Interviewing. How Can I Tell If It Is Legit? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I know someone that this happened to and share their story as part of my answer and then add on a few details. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach who helps businesses, people, well, I help people find new [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). I help them [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) better, manage and lead teams better, you know, just overall be more effective in the workplace. And this video is response to a question I received from someone where they describe receiving a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) from a small firm, and they never interviewed, and they want to know how can they tell if it’s legitimate? Now, my wife has a friend who spoke with me about a similar situation. She had a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) posted on a job board and received an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) from them, and was at the point where they were telling her that they were going to ship a computer to her to go to work. And she said, “This is weird, you know?” And she was right about it being weird. And I’ll just simply say, I don’t recall if there was any money that needed to exchange hands for the computer being shipped, I don’t think so, but I suggested a very simple thing: call the firm and start off by asking for the person who ostensibly is made the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to you and see if they’re there. So, that’s step number one, because ostensibly, this, you know, it could be a large firm, it could be a small firm. You just want to confirm that one piece of information. Now, in her case, when she made the phone call and discovered there was no one there by that name, she followed up by saying, “You know, I’ve received this email with an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to come to work for the firm and do it remote.” And they said, “Hold on one second,” and went on the, the line with her to indicate that this [scam](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/) has been going on for a while for reasons that they do not know, and you know, they just want to let her know that they had not made such an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Now, that’s one obvious way of doing it. Number two is: Google. Start off with a Google search. You see one or two things about this firm? Well, how trustworthy can this firm be if they haven’t really done any PR? “Oh, we’re a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) new startup.” All right! Now, tell me more about your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) new startup where you’ve made an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) without [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) anyone, and thus have no way of determining whether I’m competent. I happen to be, but I want to understand how your business model works where you’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people without [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). And this doesn’t have to be said with arrogance, it just has to be said somewhere along the lines, along the lines. Again, if there’s no information about this firm, if you can’t find them on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), or there’s basically, you know, nonsense stuff there, as sometimes happens on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) corporate profiles, and sometimes happens on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) people profiles, find the person on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) as well, and see if you can connect with them. Discover what happens. Tell them you want a little bit of time to absorb the fact that you’ve gotten an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) without [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). Talk to people who they claim are clients of theirs. Find out about the work that they’ve done with them. Once you start getting information that sounds legitimate, you can start removing some of the skepticism. And if it requires relocation, obviously, ask them for relocation money. If it involves work at home, understand the terms of [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Again, you need to know more, and you have the wisdom to know that this doesn’t smell good. And usually, if it doesn’t smell good, it isn’t good. But we have to give a little bit of doubt here, just to be safe. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this helpful. Visit my website, thebiggamehunter.us. I’ve got a lot more there that you can watch, listen to, or read that’ll help you find work more quickly. Also want to mention, if you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), you can schedule a free discovery call with me at the website. You know, I’d be [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to talk with you and see if [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you, you know, I can help you as a coach. If you’re watching on YouTube, notice the small icon the lower right-hand corner. Click on that, you’ll get notifications whe ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Offer, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Scam, Text **Tags:** job offer without interviewing --- ### [More 15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Job Search Pipeline](https://thebiggamehunter.us/more-15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-job-search-pipeline/) **Published:** August 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Career transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions **Content:** # More 15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Job Search Pipeline **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When professionals hit a wall in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), the default response is brute force. They dedicate four-hour blocks on Sunday afternoons to rewriting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), tailoring [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) for dozens of job postings, or blasting out generic connection requests. *This macro-effort yields remarkably micro-results.* The issue isn’t a lack of effort; it’s operational drag. Heavy, multi-hour [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) sessions lead to mental fatigue and low-quality output. [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions—precise executions [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) taking 15 minutes or less that bypass traditional corporate filters and force immediate market [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). I previously broke down four core tactics: executing requisition ID [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bypasses, running quick [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) boardroom diagnostics, building forwardable assets, and optimizing your headline’s first 80 characters. Today, we expand your toolkit with four *new* 15-minute micro-actions designed to unearth hidden opportunities and systematically convert quiet connections into active [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). ### 1. Conduct a “Lapsed Connection Audit” (15 Minutes) The highest-converting job opportunities rarely come from brand-new cold outreach; they come from “dormant ties”—former colleagues, past clients, or managers who already know your work ethic but haven’t spoken to you in 12 to 24 months. Spend 15 minutes scrolling through your existing [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) connections to identify three people who have recently moved to new companies or received promotions. Send a brief, low-pressure update note: > *“Hi \[Name\], I saw your recent move to \[Company\]—congrats on taking over the \[Function/Team\] space. I’m currently mapping out my next move in \[Industry/Specialization\] and wanted to reconnect. No ask here. I just wanted to congratulate you on the new role and catch up soon if you have a quick opening in the coming weeks.”* This reactivates warm capital in under a quarter-hour without making you sound desperate or transactional. It helps someone I worked with recently land a new leadership role as a systems integrator. ### 2. Mine Recently Hired Managers for Immediate Team Growth (15 Minutes) When a new executive or director takes a role at a company, two things happen immediately: they inherit existing structural problems, and they receive budget to build out their team. Spend 15 minutes searching [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for leaders in your functional area who changed [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) within the past 90 days. Use search terms like: *“\[Your Target Title\] + ‘Started a new position'”*. Reach out with a short, peer-level congratulatory note that signals your readiness: > *“Hi \[Name\], congrats on the new role leading \[Function\] at \[Company\]. Having joined teams in rapid transition before, I know the first 90 days are usually focused on assessing the baseline workflows and identifying execution gaps. I’m an operator specializing in \[Your Core Skill/Value Metric\] and am currently exploring my next move. No immediate ask; I just wanted to get on your radar early as you begin evaluating team bandwidth and future initiatives.”* In 15 minutes, you get on the radar of a decision-maker who has budget and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) authority *before* they post a public job requisition. This helped the young developer I was working with recently land a new role. ### 3. Deploy the “Skills Endorsement Reset” (10 Minutes) LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritizes profiles based on skill match density. However, most professionals haven’t updated their “Top Skills” section in five years, leaving outdated software or irrelevant methodologies pinned to the top. Spend 10 minutes performing a clean audit: - Open the job descriptions of three target roles you want next. - Identify the top 3–5 recurring technical skills, methodologies, or platforms mentioned across all three. - Move those exact terms to the top of your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) “Skills” section and remove legacy skills that no longer reflect your direction. This subtle adjustment instantly improves your search relevance when internal we’re a third party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) filter people inside [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). ### 4. Engage in “Strategic First-Comment Positioning” (15 Minutes) Instead of posting long-form content that takes hours to write and gets minimal reach, borrow the audience of industry decision-makers or well-connected people. Spend 15 minutes finding posts written by [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers, [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), or industry commentators in your niche. Skip the superficial “Great post!” comments. Instead, leave a high-density, analytical observation that adds real insight: > *“Spot-on analysis regarding data pipeline latency. We also found that decoupling the legacy databases in month two reduced that exact processing lag by nearly 18% before we expanded to regional hubs.”* > *A single well-crafted comment positions your expertise directly in front of the post’s author and everyone reading the thread that generate profile views from peers who actively [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for those exact solutions.* ### The Bottom Line A successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot is not built on marathon sessions of blind [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. It is built on small, clinical actions executed with consistency. Stop spending hours feeding [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) databases. Pick one 15-minute action each morning, execute it with precision, and let the compound effect of high-leverage outreach shift the market leverage back to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Decisions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6D) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** 15 Minute Job Search Tips, Text **Tags:** More 15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Job Search Pipeline --- ### [No BS Career Advice: August 16 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-16-2026/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice offers help with job search, job hunting, career advice, Interviewing, salary negotiation, resumes, and more. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: August 16 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Promotional banner for No BS Career Advice with Jeff Altman, 'Big Game Hunter', encouraging viewers to get a job via JobSearch.Community.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/No-BS-Career-Advice-August-16-2026.png) I don’t get sick very often but when I do I know how to get sick. By Tuesday evening I was exhausted and just feeling beaten up. I thought it was a normal workday but it was me starting to get sick. By Wednesday I had a stomach virus that left me completely debilitated. I napped a lot; I canceled a lot of my schedule; I only kept a few things that I really needed to keep. I didn’t go to the gym at all, which is unusual for me these days. It’s why I extended my [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) of $4.99 for [**Resumes That Work: The No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) **until Tuesday at 7 AM Eastern at which point the price will increase to $12.99.** I won’t repeat the pitch for the book I wrote. I will say I hope you find it helpful; I’m sure you will. If you do please write a favorable review on Amazon. As you know, my advice is No BS. ***BTW, I will not be publishing No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) the next two weekends. Next weekend, I am attending a leadership conference; the following weekend, I am on staff for one of the men’s retreats I used to lead.*** ## More 15-Minute Moves to Shift Your Job Search Pipeline [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) When professionals hit a wall in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), the default response is brute force. They dedicate four-hour blocks on Sunday afternoons to rewriting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), tailoring [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) for dozens of job postings, or blasting out generic connection requests. *This macro-effort yields remarkably micro-results.* The issue isn’t a lack of effort; it’s operational drag. Heavy, multi-hour [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) sessions lead to mental fatigue and low-quality output. High-yield [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions—precise executions [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) taking 15 minutes or less that bypass traditional corporate filters and force immediate market [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). I previously broke down four core tactics: executing requisition ID [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bypasses, running quick [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) boardroom diagnostics, building forwardable assets, and optimizing your headline’s first 80 characters. Today, we expand your toolkit with four *new* 15-minute micro-actions designed to unearth hidden opportunities and systematically convert quiet connections into active [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). ### 1. Conduct a “Lapsed Connection Audit” (15 Minutes) The highest-converting job opportunities rarely come from brand-new cold outreach; they come from “dormant ties”—former colleagues, past clients, or managers who already know your work ethic but haven’t spoken to you in 12 to 24 months. Spend 15 minutes scrolling through your existing [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) connections to identify three people who have recently moved to new companies or received promotions. Send a brief, low-pressure update note: > *“Hi \[Name\], I saw your recent move to \[Company\]—congrats on taking over the \[Function/Team\] space. I’m currently mapping out my next move in \[Industry/Specialization\] and wanted to reconnect. No ask here. I just wanted to congratulate you on the new role and catch up soon if you have a quick opening in the coming weeks.”* This reactivates warm capital in under a quarter-hour without making you sound desperate or transactional. It helps someone I worked with recently land a new leadership role as a systems integrator. ### 2. Mine Recently Hired Managers for Immediate Team Growth (15 Minutes) When a new executive or director takes a role at a company, two things happen immediately: they inherit existing structural problems, and they receive budget to build out their team. Spend 15 minutes searching [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for leaders in your functional area who changed [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) within the past 90 days. Use search terms like: *“\[Your Target Title\] + ‘Started a new position'”*. Reach out with a short, peer-level congratulatory note that signals your readiness: > *“Hi \[Name\], congrats on the new role leading \[Function\] at \[Company\]. Having joined teams in rapid transition before, I know the first 90 days are usually focused on assessing the baseline workflows and identifying execution gaps. I’m an operator specializing in \[Your Core Skill/Value Metric\] and am currently exploring my next move. No immediate ask; I just wanted to get on your radar early as you begin evaluating team bandwidth and future initiatives.”* In 15 minutes, you get on the radar of a decision-maker who has budget and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) authority *before* they post a public job requisition. This helped the young developer I was working with recently land a new role. ### 3. Deploy the “Skills Endorsement Reset” (10 Minutes) LinkedIn’s search algorithm prioritizes profiles based on skill match density. However, most professionals haven’t updated their “Top Skills” section in five years, leaving outdated software or irrelevant methodologies pinned to the top. Spend 10 minutes performing a clean audit: - Open the job descriptions of three target roles you want next. - Identify the top 3–5 recurring technical skills, methodologies, or platforms mentioned across all three. - Move those exact terms to the top of your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) “Skills” section and remove legacy skills that no longer reflect your direction. This subtle adjustment instantly improves your search relevance when internal we’re a third party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) filter people inside [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). ### 4. Engage in “Strategic First-Comment Positioning” (15 Minutes) Instead of posting long-form content that takes hours to write and gets minimal reach, borrow the audience of industry decision-makers or well-connected people. Spend 15 minutes finding posts written by [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers, [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), or industry commentators in your niche. Skip the superficial “Great post!” comments. Instead, leave a high-density, analytical observation that adds real insight: > *“Spot-on analysis regarding data pipeline latency. We also found that decoupling the legacy databases in month two reduced that exact processing lag by nearly 18% before we expanded to regional hubs.”* A single well-crafted comment positions your expertise directly in front of the post’s author and everyone reading the thread that generate profile views from peers who actively [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for those exact solutions. ### The Bottom Line A successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot is not built on marathon sessions of blind [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. It is built on small, clinical actions executed with consistency. Stop spending hours feeding [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) databases. Pick one 15-minute action each morning, execute it with precision, and let the compound effect of high-leverage outreach shift the market leverage back to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Even while sick, I released a number of new blog posts including: **From Manual [Grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) to AI-Automated [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) is notoriously grueling, often demanding hours of manual effort for minimal returns. But what if you could compress a three-hour daily [grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) into a highly targeted, 10-minute automated routine? One resourceful job seeker did exactly that by using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). Link: **How to Build an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Pipeline That 7x’s Your [Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)** Excerpt: Mass-applying to hundreds of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) is a complete waste of your time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). Learn how one job seeker stopped manual copy-pasting, built an autonomous [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) pipeline, cut his daily job hunt to 10 minutes, and secured 7x more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Link: **You Don’t Have to Keep Doing Work You Detest #shorts** Excerpt: Are you doing a job that you absolutely loathe? You don’t have to. Link: **Why Are You Interested in This Job? \#shorts** Excerpt: Most people answer “Why are you interested in this job?” with generic praise. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a No BS strategy to answer this question by connecting your background directly to their specific operational challenges. Link: **Should I Use a Video [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to Stand Out?** Excerpt: Video [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) are growing in popularity, but do they actually work or do they alienate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down when a video [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) gives you an edge and when it backfires. Link: **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Immortality** Excerpt: Building a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) that withstands market volatility and industry disruption requires developing durable leverage, personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), and high-value relationships that outlast any single employer. Link: **[Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Not Giving Maximum Effort** Excerpt: [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) looks at successful athletes as an impetus to remind job hunters of the importance of giving maximum effort in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) to achieve [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Link: **Why Taking a “Lower” Job May Be a Smart Move** Excerpt: If you take a step sideways or down, people assume something went wrong. That mindset is BS. Link: **Senior. Intermediate. Junior. [What’s the Difference?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/senior-intermediate-junior-whats-the-difference-shorts/) \#shorts** Excerpt: People get fixated on levels. Link: **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): August 9 2026** Excerpt: Help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews [\#opentowork](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice Link: **Overcoming [Age Bias](https://thebiggamehunter.us/overcoming-age-bias-in-job-search/) in [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: How to address manager [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) directly, speak modern operational language, and target the mid-market and private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firms that actively need your expertise. Link: **Changing [Careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)? Gave Yourself a Hard No? \#shorts** Excerpt: Oh, the tricks we sometimes play on ourselves. When you’re changing [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), sometimes the hard no is one of those tricks. Link: **Nailing the Virtual [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/): 16 Tips and Lessons Learned** Excerpt: In navigating the nuances of virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), sixteen professionals, from [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaches to CEOs, have shared their wisdom. Link: **Our Love-Hate Relationship With [Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/)** Excerpt: Most people struggle with [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/) during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Understanding why we resist reaching out is the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) to unlocking your network. Link: **[Laid Off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) and They Want You to Sign Something? \#shorts** Excerpt: It will be soooo tempting to sign that piece of paper they slide in front of you. Link: **The Easiest Way to Apply Isn’t Usually the [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) Way** Excerpt: [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discourages you from [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) using convenient buttons on job listings. Link: **The Purpose of a Phone [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)** Excerpt: In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the purpose of a phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) from the employer’s perspective and from yours. Link: **Staying Current #shorts** Excerpt: A short video about keeping your skills up-to-date. Link: **If A [Search Firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) Asks You To Recommend Someone Does That Mean They Want You?** Excerpt: If an [Executive Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) firm emails you requesting that you recommend someone for a position, does that mean they are interested in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you for the position? Link: **15 Minute Moves to Shift Your [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Pipeline** Excerpt: If you want to accelerate your pipeline without burning out, integrate these [15-minute moves](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-career-pipeline-2/) into your daily routine. Link: **Look Ahead, Not Just Back #shorts** Excerpt: This one is for those of you who are older. Maybe not as old as me but older nonetheless. Link: **[Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Red Flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/): The Uncomfortable Look When You Ask This Question** Excerpt: There is a reason they’re uncomfortable. Pay attention. Link: **Periodic [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile Updates #shorts** Excerpt: Some of you treat [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile updates like something to do when you are [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Link: **Betting on Yourself #shorts** Excerpt: A piece of wisdom to pay attention to. Link: **[Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/)? Think Ahead. #shorts** Excerpt: If you’re [over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/), the probability is you are going to leave your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) or it’s going to leave you. It’s time to start thinking ahead. Link: **The Difference** Excerpt: Short [Thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We’re On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We’ll Feel Good If You Do. Link: *Books and Guides by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)* [*Resumes That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) [*“Networkinging for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [*Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [*The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [*The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [*The Ultimate Job Interview Framework*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [*Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [*The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [*Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [*10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [*Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [*Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [*Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [*The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [*The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [*No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [*No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [*Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [*101 Ways to Find Job Leads*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [*Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [*Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [*The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [*The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [*LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [*Finding a Job After You Graduate College*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [*Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [*The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Profile Strategy in the AI Era*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [*Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [*ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [*Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [*Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [*From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [*Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [*Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [*Final Interview Preparation*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [*No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [*Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) All of them cost less than $10. Many are available for 99 cents \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC ### Career Transition Coach | Interview Expert | Personal Branding | Salary and Compensation Negotiation | Expert Networker | LinkedIn member 7653 | I’ve Helped Tens of Thousands of People Find New Jobs **Categories:** No BS Career Advice, Text --- ### [Interview Red Flags: They Don’t Give You a Straight Answer #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-they-dont-give-you-a-straight-answer-shorts/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You ask a question and when you think about it, they didn't answer your question. **Content:** # Interview Red Flags: They Don’t Give You a Straight Answer #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** You ask a question and when you think about it, they didn’t answer your question. [***Stupid Resume Mistakes– Objectives***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9lM) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Interview Red Flags: They Are Always Late AND …](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lnX)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He was the host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes over 14+ years. [***Listing Accomplishments in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lnt) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Red Flags, #Shorts --- ### [For a Video Interview on Your Phone #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/for-a-video-interview-on-your-phone-shorts/) **Published:** August 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This will solve the problem of a jumpy video interview. **Content:** # For a Video Interview on Your Phone #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/TrW1U_6UI1Q) This will solve the problem of a jumpy video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[You Need to Fix Stupid Hiring.](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqT)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Video Interviewing, #Shorts **Tags:** For a Video Interview on Your Phone --- ### [From Manual Grind to AI-Automated Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/from-manual-grind-to-ai-automated-job-hunting/) **Published:** August 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What if you could compress a three-hour daily grind into a highly targeted, 10-minute automated routine? **Content:** # **From Manual Grind to AI-Automated Job Hunting** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is notoriously grueling, often demanding hours of manual effort for minimal returns. But what if you could compress a three-hour daily [grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) into a highly targeted, 10-minute automated routine? One resourceful job seeker did exactly that by using generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to systematically optimize and automate their search, moving from a **stressful “spray and pray” approach** to a streamlined process that ultimately secured an exciting new role. Here is a breakdown of how they engineered this transition, offering a blueprint to make your own search more efficient. **The Starting Point: “Spray and Pray”** When faced with organizational uncertainty, this professional launched a traditional, manual [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). They spent about three hours a day scouring [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and submitting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). In one early two-week stretch, they applied to 18 [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), receiving seven automated rejections and zero callbacks. Historically, their manual approach was similarly bleak: a prior batch of 73 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) yielded just one callback and one [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). It was clear that **brute force was not a winning strategy**. **Phase 1: [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Optimization and [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Compliance** To pivot, the job seeker first ensured their baseline materials were flawless. They updated their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) so every bullet point highlighted achievements with measurable results, creating separate versions for individual contributor and leadership roles. Crucially, they used [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to make their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) **compliant with automated tracking systems ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/))**. The technology successfully identified hidden Unicode characters that were highly readable to humans but disrupted automated parsers. Relying on a strict rule preventing the system from fabricating information, they uploaded a comprehensive master [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) containing their entire [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) history to generate optimized templates based strictly on actual experience. Phase 2: Partial Automation and Filters** Next, they **defined strict criteria** for their search: a lowest acceptable [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), preferred [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) range, travel percentage limits, maximum commute distance, and a requirement that roles be posted within the last 24 hours. Initially, they ran a semi-automated process, pasting job descriptions into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool to rate the fit on a 1-to-10 scale. They only applied if the job scored a 6 or higher. While this three-week phase saw slight improvements—55 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), one [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and one offer—it still demanded significant manual effort. **Phase 3: Full Scheduled Automation** The real breakthrough came with **full scheduled automation**. They deployed a script that ran daily at 9:00 AM, automatically scouring job boards and target companies within their travel radius. For any job that met the criteria and scored a 6 or higher, the system built a customized [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). Their only manual daily task was opening the provided links to verify the posting was active and had under 100 applicants on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). This reduced their daily time investment to a mere 10 minutes. The Hard Numbers and Key Takeaways** The results of the six-week automated phase were striking: 47 targeted [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) yielded seven callbacks and one [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Over their entire 11-week search, they applied to 125 [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), received eight callbacks, and secured two job offers, ultimately accepting a position they were truly excited about. This strategy highlights a vital lesson: automation’s power lies in **filtering harder and tailoring better**, not just [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to more [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). However, human judgment remains the ultimate differentiator. AI-assisted tailoring only works if the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) tells a clear, strategically positioned story. Automation handles the heavy lifting, but human oversight and relationships are still what get your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in front of the right person. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text --- ### [Sh*t Recruiters Say: You’ll Wear Many Hats in This Role #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sht-recruiters-say-youll-wear-many-hats-in-this-role-shorts/) **Published:** August 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is another example of the sh*t recruiter say the job hunters when describing jobs. **Content:** # Sh\*t Recruiters Say: You’ll Wear Many Hats in This Role #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** This is another example of the sh\*t [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) say the job hunters when describing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Recruiters, #Shorts **Tags:** Sh*t Recruiters Say: You’ll Wear Many Hats in This Role --- ### [How to Show Promotions on Your Resume (Without the Clutter)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-show-promotions-on-your-resume-without-the-clutter/) **Published:** August 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here is the exact structure you need to showcase internal growth, prove your loyalty, and make your resume scannable in seconds. **Content:** # How to Show Promotions on Your Resume (Without the Clutter) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Promotions look great on paper until your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) ends up looking like a cluttered, repetitive mess. If you stack multiple titles under separate company listings, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) lose track of your trajectory and move on to the next candidate. Here is the exact structure you need to showcase internal growth, prove your loyalty, and make your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) scannable in seconds. So, you got the promotion. That is awesome. But then you look at your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and you’re kind of stuck, right? How do you show that amazing climb up the ladder without making the whole thing look messy or repetitive? Well, it’s a great problem to have, and in this explainer, we’re going to break down the perfect way to solve it. You’ve put in all the [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/), you’ve earned those new titles, but now you’ve got this little puzzle on your hands. I mean, if you list the same company over and over, it just looks weird. But if you lump all your roles into one big entry, you totally lose the story of your progression. It’s a real head-scratcher. And this is the core question, isn’t it? You want [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to see your growth, to see your loyalty, to see that the company trusted you with more and more responsibility. But if you get the format wrong, that whole powerful story just gets completely lost in a confusing layout. So, the solution here isn’t just about listing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). It’s about showcasing a journey. The whole goal, the whole idea, is to frame your experience as a clear upward path, all within one single company. It’s a story of growth, and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) absolutely needs to tell it. You know, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) just puts it perfectly. Your objective is simple: show a clear progression. This isn’t just about a list of titles. It’s about showing how you evolved and how the company’s trust in you grew over time. Okay, so how do we actually build this thing on the page? Let’s get really practical here and just walk through the format step by step. It’s easier than you think. The structure is actually super simple. It’s got three core parts. First, we’re going to make one single header for the whole time you were at the company. Then, we stack each role under it, from the newest one to the oldest one. What this does is create a really clean, easy-to-read timeline. All right, first things first: you’re going to create one single header to anchor the whole entry. Put the company name on the left, and then put the total time you’ve been employed on the right, from your very first day all the way to today. Right away, this shows your commitment. Now, directly underneath that, you’re going to start with your most recent, your current title. Just like the line above, the title goes on the left, and the specific dates for that role go on the right. See the pattern? Okay, and here’s where you really show your current value. Your bullet points—they shouldn’t just be a list of tasks, no way. They should be impact-driven accomplishments. Think about strategy, leadership, and numbers, quantifiable results. What were the big problems you solved in this senior role? From there, you just repeat the process. It’s that simple. Add your previous title and its dates right below the last entry. Keeping this reverse chronological order, newest to oldest, is the absolute key to telling that clear story of progression. And of course, you’re going to add the specific achievements for that role, too. But think about the story you’re telling. Maybe these earlier bullet points are a bit more task-oriented, showing how you really mastered the fundamentals. That contrast between your old and your new responsibilities, that’s what really shows the growth, not just the titles themselves. So, we’ve got the how, but let’s talk about the why. You might be thinking, “Okay, that seems simple enough, but why is this little formatting change so incredibly effective?” Well, it all comes down to how a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager actually reads your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Okay, here’s the big payoff. For a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who’s scanning dozens, maybe hundreds of [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), this format is an absolute gift. It immediately tells a story of growth. It gets rid of all the clutter. And maybe most importantly, it screams loyalty. The company didn’t just keep you around; they actively promoted you. It’s clean, it’s scannable, and it’s super powerful. Ultimately, this is about so much more than just formatting. It’s really about taking control of your professional narrative. It’s about you crafting your own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) story. If you remember one thing, remember this: a great [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is not a passive list of things you did. It’s an active, compelling story of your value, your achievements, and your growth over time. And this format, it helps you tell that story loud and clear. So, I’ll leave you with this question to chew on: go take a look at your own [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) right now, seriously. Does it just list [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), or does it tell a compelling story of progression? What story is your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) telling about you? [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** How to Show Promotions on Your Resume --- ### [Stop Applying to Jobs Manually—AI Does It Better](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-to-jobs-manually-ai-does-it-better/) **Published:** August 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn how to connect Claude Code, n8n, and Google Sheets to create an automated pipeline that finds high-probability jobs, tailors ATS-compliant resumes **Content:** # Stop Applying to Jobs Manually—AI Does It Better **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop wasting your weekends tweaking bullet points and copy-pasting [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-applications-2/). Learn how to connect Claude Code, n8n, and Google Sheets to create an automated pipeline that finds high-probability [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), tailors ATS-compliant [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speed-game-why-early-resumes-win/), and generates targeted [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) prep on demand. f you’ve applied for a job recently, you know the cycle: you stare at a blank page, tweak the exact same bullet points for the 50th time, and wait. The administrative burden of a modern [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) can swallow your entire weekend. But you can engineer your way out of this trap by building an automated [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) ecosystem—one that handles the discovery, the tailoring, and the formatting, allowing you to step back while the system does the heavy lifting. This system runs on three main tools: Claude Code acting as your local AI agent, n8n to connect the data pipelines, and Google Sheets to log the results. By automating the sourcing and drafting phases, you win back hours of your week. Because of how we structure this setup, every application generated is tailored to the role and built to pass automated screening without the manual rewrite. Before we give an AI any permission to write [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-applications-2/) on our behalf, we have to establish strict boundaries. Left to its own devices, a standard language model will often invent fake experience just to match a keyword on a job description. To prevent that, step one is gathering every factual document you have—old CVs, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-treating-linkedin-like-a-resume-youre-invisible/) exports, and reference letters—and dropping them into a single local folder. Next, run `/setup` in your terminal. Claude Code compiles those disparate files into a unified source of truth. This profile acts as a hard boundary. If a job requires a skill not explicitly listed, the system blocks the AI, explicitly acknowledging the gap instead. A strictly grounded, hallucination-free profile is the only safe way to entrust an automated agent with your professional reputation. With your profile locked in, we move to sourcing roles without mindlessly scrolling job boards. For this, we use the visual automation tool n8n. Inside the n8n canvas, you connect your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-treating-linkedin-like-a-resume-youre-invisible/) account to pull in fresh job postings, wire up the Anthropic API to analyze them, and link Google Sheets to record the results. As [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are scraped, each passes a Claude scoring filter that evaluates the requirements against your ground truth profile. You configure a threshold gate—say, 70%. [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) scoring below are instantly rejected, while only high-probability matches are allowed to move forward. The final output of this pipeline is a curated list of relevant roles dropping directly into a spreadsheet, complete with links and fit scores. By filtering algorithmically, you remove the exhaustion of reading hundreds of irrelevant posts. You spend your energy strictly on high-probability opportunities. When you spot a job you like in that spreadsheet, you grab the URL, go back to your terminal, and type the `/apply` command to initiate document generation. To avoid an AI text wall, a dual-agent architecture works in a feedback loop. Agent 1 drafts tailored LaTeX code, dropping low-scoring bullets to fit a two-page limit. Meanwhile, Agent 2 reviews the draft, catching orphans and enforcing revisions until the layout is flawless. Once the layout is approved, the system runs a text extraction test on the rendered PDF. This verifies that an automated Applicant Tracking System can cleanly parse your contact details and keywords. This process generates perfectly structured PDF [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speed-game-why-early-resumes-win/) and cover letters tailored to the role and ready for submission. This review loop takes the hours of frustration normally spent wrestling with fonts and margins and condenses it into seconds of automated precision. After the application is out, the system shifts into a predictive [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) tool. You simply type It then collapses into a clean cheat sheet mapping the company’s core values directly to your strongest real-world examples using the STAR format.`/interview`. The AI cross-references your tailored CV with the job description, drawing lines from specific requirements to predicted technical and behavioral questions. Walking into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with preparation rooted in the company’s own requirements gives you a clear advantage over candidates relying on generic advice. You now have an ecosystem handling the heavy lifting in the background. It continuously sources opportunities, logs the data, and drafts tailored documents exactly when you need them. You are no longer doing manual data entry or tweaking page layouts. Your role is now strictly strategic: you are reviewing the generated assets and deciding exactly where to deploy them. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or, you can purchase individual products and services a la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-16-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-treating-linkedin-like-a-resume-youre-invisible/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-treating-linkedin-like-a-resume-youre-invisible/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** Stop Applying to Jobs Manually—AI Does It Better --- ### [Betting on Yourself #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/betting-on-yourself-shorts/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A piece of wisdom to pay attention to. **Content:** # **Betting on Yourself #shorts** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/jdplpuK0YWU) A piece of wisdom to pay attention to. [***Stupid Resume Mistakes– Objectives***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9lM) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[Elevator Pitches](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-e7G)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Staying Relevant***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-enx) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Career Angles, #Shorts **Tags:** Betting on Yourself --- ### [Periodic LinkedIn Profile Updates #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/periodic-linkedin-profile-updates-shorts/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Some of you treat LinkedIn profile updates like something to do when you are job hunting. **Content:** # **Periodic LinkedIn Profile Updates #shorts** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Some of you treat [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile updates like something to do when you are job hunting. [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: “Creative Writing”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Zc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn **Tags:** Periodic LinkedIn Profile Updates --- ### [Over 50? Think Ahead. #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/over-50-think-ahead-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** If you're over 50, the probability is you are going to leave your career or it's going to leave you. It's time to start thinking ahead. **Content:** # Over 50? Think Ahead. #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** If you’re [over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/), the probability is you are going to leave your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) or it’s going to leave you. It’s time to start thinking ahead. [This is a link to the career assessment I referred to.](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/Career) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How Do You Get Past the Young Recruiter to the Real Decision Maker?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-7Ve)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: “Creative Writing”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Zc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Over 50, #Shorts, Changing Careers **Tags:** career assessment tests, Career change, career planning, career transition, career transitions, CareerFitters, Changing careers, Figuring out the next stage of your career, Getting old and figuring out what's next, over 50, The next stage of your career, What's next for my career?, What's the next stage in my career? --- ### [The Difference](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-difference/) **Published:** August 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Short Thoughts. Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We're On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We'll Feel Good If You Do. **Content:** # The Difference **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Short [Thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We’re On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We’ll Feel Good If You Do. ## [***Things That Immediately Ruin a First Impression***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-liA) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2800 episodes. [***How Can I Tell a Recruiter “No” When They Ask for References?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3MD) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.* **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** The Difference --- ### [Look Ahead, Not Just Back #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/look-ahead-not-just-back-shorts/) **Published:** August 13, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This one is for those of you who are older. Maybe not as old as me but older nonetheless. **Content:** # Look Ahead, Not Just Back **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/ZFRRa_ZN2DI) This one is for those of you who are older. Maybe not as old as me but older nonetheless. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[Elevator Pitches](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-e7G)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***10 AI Power Tools to Land Your Next Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lp0) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Over 50, #Shorts **Tags:** Look Ahead, Not Just Back #shorts --- ### [Interview Red Flags: The Uncomfortable Look When You Ask This Question](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-the-uncomfortable-look-when-you-ask-this-question/) **Published:** August 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There is a reason they're uncomfortable. Pay attention. **Content:** # **Interview Red Flags: The Uncomfortable Look When You Ask This Question** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** There is a reason they’re uncomfortable. Pay attention. [***Stupid Resume Mistakes– Objectives***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9lM) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Red Flags, #Shorts **Tags:** Interview Red Flags: The Uncomfortable Look When You Ask This Question --- ### [The Purpose of a Phone Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-purpose-of-a-phone-interview/) **Published:** August 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this video, Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discusses the purpose of a phone interview from the employer's perspective and from yours. **Content:** # The Purpose of a Phone Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the purpose of a phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) from the employer’s perspective and from yours. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m referred to as [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for 40-plus years. Today’s video is about the purpose of a phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And and I want to do it from both sides’ perspective. Now, first of all, your side’s easy. Your purpose is to get to the face-to-face [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). In 999,000 times out of a million, no one’s ever hired on the basis of a phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). There are very, very rare exceptions, but usually a firm will want to meet someone before they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. So, your job is to get to the actual in-person [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and and I’ll give you a couple of suggestions for how to do that in a minute The employer’s perspective is: number one, they’re trying to confirm that what piqued their interest about your background is actually true, that you have relevant experience. So, they may have some questions in their mind as to whether your experience is relevant. There may be something that’s causing them concern, or they’re looking for confirmation, which means they see your background is a great fit, and they’re trying to confirm that by speaking with you. Now, really what they can confirm is a couple of pieces of objective information that comes through subjective questioning. Now, that sounds contradictory, but, you know, the questions that they use to evaluate involve some degree of subjectivity. And, you know, again, I’m going to get to how you can do your part of this most effectively in a moment. So, the other thing that they can really evaluate is your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) level. Do you have passion? Do you have zeal? Do you have excitement for what you do? How does that come across in your voice? Do you speak in a slow, methodical, monotone manner that puts people to sleep, or do you demonstrate a degree of enthusiasm and excitement? Now, your side of this: how do you demonstrate that you have some passion for what you do? How do you demonstrate that they don’t have to worry about you, that you do fit the role? Now, even—there’s two parts to this, and I addressed one yesterday. If the call is coming out of the blue, then what I want to encourage you to do is to say something along the lines of, you know, and again from a corporation, not from a third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), if the call’s coming from a corporation, I want to encourage you to say, “I’d love to speak with you. Can we schedule a time a little bit later? I’m about to go into a meeting,” “I have an appointment,” “I have—I want to give you full attention, so could we speak at about—” and you [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) up a time. [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) Then you’ll go back and forth and schedule it. Understand that part of what you’ve now gotten from their phone call is who it is. You can reference your notes about the job that you might have submitted your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to. Or you can—before you jump off, say, “Could you tell me about the position that you’re trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for?” and make them talk, and say, “Thanks. I look forward to speaking with you at, let’s say, 2:00,” whatever it is. Then there’s the call that’s actually scheduled. And you now have a call set for 2:00, for example, and they call, and you start off the conversation with—and remember, scheduling can come from a third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) as well as from yourself. So, you start off the conversation by saying, “You know, I spoke with [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) about the position, and he gave me a brief summary, but I wanted to get your take on it. Could you tell me about the job as you see it, and what I can do to help you?” And that way, they’re going to start off by talking about the position that they’re trying to fill, and you’ll get enough information so that when they start with, “Tell me about yourself,” and all the [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) questions that come from your answer there, you can tailor your answers to what matters to them. So again, the purpose of the phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) from their standpoint is to screen you in or screen you out. They don’t want to waste time with someone who isn’t a fit. They want to confirm that you have the right background or get answers to a couple of basic questions that gave them hesitancy, but they’re willing to give it the benefit of the doubt with a phone call. So this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the Like button, do something that lets people know this is a worthwhile video. Now, I also want to encourage you: come over to—subscribe to my channel on YouTube, which is [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV. All one word: TheBigGameHunterTV. You’ll get notices whenever I do a new video for YouTube. In addition, come over to JeffAltman.com. I’ve got a lot of great content there, including my videos, podcasts from my two radio shows, which are called [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Radio and No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio. I broadcast each weekly with advice for job hunters good anywhere in the world. So this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** The Purpose of a Phone Interview --- ### [Sh*t Recruiters Say: You Have an Impressive Background](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sht-recruiters-say-you-have-an-impressive-background/) **Published:** August 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is another load of crap, the recruiters say and people believe. **Content:** # Sh\*t Recruiters Say: You Have an Impressive Background **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** This is another load of crap, the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sht-recruiters-say-youll-wear-many-hats-in-this-role-shorts/) say and people believe. **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-16-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)Jeff Altman, The Big Game Huntereasier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-treating-linkedin-like-a-resume-youre-invisible/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Recruiters **Tags:** h*t Recruiters Say: You Have an Impressive Background --- ### [Staying Current #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-staying-current-2/) **Published:** August 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about keeping your skills up-to-date. **Content:** # Staying Current #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A short video about keeping your skills up-to-date. [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles, #Shorts, Career Coaching, Career Planning **Tags:** Keeping your skills up to date, Knowledge --- ### [If A Search Firm Asks You To Recommend Someone Does That Mean They Want You?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) **Published:** August 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If an Executive Search firm emails you requesting that you recommend someone for a position, does that mean they are interested in hiring you for the position? **Content:** # If A Search Firm Asks You To Recommend Someone, Does That Mean They Want You? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/avCDCWoX1Tg) If an [Executive Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) firm emails you requesting that you recommend someone for a position, does that mean they are interested in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you for the position? ***[Self Sabotage: A Misdiagnosis](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Pq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free strategic advisory call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** If A Search Firm Asks You To Recommend Someone Does That Mean They Want You? --- ### [Our Love-Hate Relationship With Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I conducted an experiment on Facebook about asking for help. What goes on for you? **Content:** Our Love-Hate Relationship With Asking for Help ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** I conducted an experiment on Facebook about asking for help. What goes on for you? I conducted an interesting (it was at least interesting to me into a number of other people) experiment on Facebook over a few day period. It started off with a question, “What is so hard about saying,’ I need help to someone who can help you?’ I think that’s a pretty simple question, but here are some of the responses: “The ego.” “Pride.” “I’m not sure what the circumstances were that you are referring to but maybe, just maybe, the person was maligned and abused the last time they asked for help.” “I feel like the more help I need the harder it is to ask.” “Even harder for men. My wife is trying to get me to ask for directions when we are lost.” “Maybe those who need us the most want us to just help them. “Stupidity, plain and simple.” Stupidity was my answer “it exposes the answer I tell myself, true or not, that there is something wrong with me.” I want to go into question number 2 because, obviously, because there is the perception that something is faulty with the person who asks for help that seems to be ingrained in our culture. That’s generally what is happening. People didn’t ask for help because of pride, ego, they felt stupid and other reasons that keep them from getting the help that they need. How do you feel when you ask for help? This is interesting! Among the answers were: “Fearful, may be desperate.” “Oh, G-d! When I was younger I knew everything I didn’t think I needed any help. WRONG! Now that I’m an elder. I know that there are those who are wiser than me and can ask for their help.” “Weak. I should know it all and be able to do it all.” DING DING! DING! DING DING! I think that’s the real thing. “Humble and helpful.” There were few of these in there that I thought were interesting. “What a great question! At the depth I feel vulnerable and incompetent. I think we have this conflict that goes on within us.” I think this summarizes it very well. A woman named Judy said, “it’s like I’m not worthy and time inconveniencing someone.” It’s as though we screwed up or are defective in some way. We might be rebuked. There are some people who might feel hopeful and that’s wonderful but the vast majority don’t have that sort of reaction. The result is that many of us live a particular way, frustrated, disappointed. How do you win? We don’t know everything. We don’t know what to do all the time. We do make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and screw up. As a result, we don’t do things to make it easy for ourselves. Easy is an interesting word in this context because, obviously, if you’re asking for help (judging by the reactions I 1st spoke about – – fearful, scared, defective, stupid), it is not so easy. Shouldn’t it just be easy to look at someone and say, “I ask you something for a second?” If they say,, “no, it’s not a good time right now,” you can always ask what it might be a good time. That’s what usually happens, right? Emotionally, we get caught up in this turmoil. I love you to take a little bit of time to reflect on this for yourself and just think about what the impact is not asking for help and how that has worked for you and not work for you. Worked for you in the way of feeling more capable than you really are. I admit it. I am incompetent at a lot of things, far more than I’d like to admit. But I know I am incompetent at a lot of stuff. I would love you to consider that once you admit it is far easier for yourself, it is far easier to receive that help an act without it. [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) I’ve simplified my job hunting content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No B. S. Coaching Advice, Text **Tags:** asking for help, getting advice, Help!, Our Love-Hate Relationship With Asking for Help --- ### [Laid Off and They Want You to Sign Something? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-and-they-want-you-to-sign-something-shorts/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** It will be soooo tempting to sign that piece of paper they slide in front of you. **Content:** # Laid Off and They Want You to Sign Something? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/dIERrpDAbYg) It will be soooo tempting to sign that piece of paper they slide in front of you. [***Better Than Applying Through The ATS***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[***4 Secrets to a Successful Job Search in FinTech***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljz) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily. Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***I Just Was Laid Off? What Do I Do Next?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljt) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube. [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Laid Off **Tags:** Laid Off and They Want You to Sign Something? --- ### [Overcoming Age Bias in Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/overcoming-age-bias-in-job-search/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** How to address manager anxiety directly, speak modern operational language, and target the mid-market and private equity firms that actively need your expertise **Content:** # Overcoming Age Bias in Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are an experienced professional over 45, hiding your graduation dates or shaving decades off your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is a weak, defensive strategy that signals insecurity. To win in today’s job market, you must stop selling years of experience and start positioning yourself as a risk-mitigation tool that saves companies from costly operational [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Learn how to address manager [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) directly, speak modern operational language, and target the mid-market and private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firms that actively need your expertise. If you are an experienced professional over 45, you already know [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) heavily favors younger, cheaper talent. You submit your carefully crafted [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and watch it vanish into a black hole. Even when you get traction, the process feels hollow. You receive polite smiles in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and nod and smile courtesy calls, only to eventually receive a [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/), stating you are overqualified. Overqualified is corporate code for two things: they think you cost too much, and they are terrified you won’t take direction from a manager 15 years younger than you. Standard [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tells you to hide. It suggests stripping graduation dates, shaving off [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of experience, or pretending you just discovered what [Slack](https://thebiggamehunter.us/slack-channels-shorts/) is yesterday. This is a weak defensive strategy. When you try to hide your history, you signal insecurity. You accept the premise that your depth of knowledge is a liability rather than an asset. To overcome age bias, you have to stop playing defense. You need to reframe the conversation by proactively addressing the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s unstated fears. Younger candidates sell potential and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). They [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) the promise that they might figure the job out in six to nine months. Your edge is that you’ve already seen the movie. You know how it ends and you know where the landmines are buried. This is why pitching 25 years of experience as a badge of honor often backfires. It doesn’t make you sound valuable. It makes you sound expensive and close to retirement. Instead, sell de-risking. Here, a corporate transition hits scaling failures at month six, bleeding 15% of the budget. Don’t ask them to pay for your past. Show the exact structural failure points you decouple in month one, flattening the curve and protecting their future capital. This framework shifts the negotiation. You are no longer a historical asset on a timeline. You are a tool for preventing expensive operational [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Then there is the matter of manager insecurity. Younger [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers often worry that a senior [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) will challenge their authority or compete for their job. You neutralize this [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) by framing your role as a support system. You have to explicitly show that you are there to execute, not to engage in office politics. During the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), state clearly that your only focus is execution. Explain that you enjoy being the subject matter operator who takes tactical work off your manager’s plate, so they can focus on macro strategy. This addresses the political fear, but you still have to deal with the obsolescence myth—the assumption that senior talent is stuck in outdated management playbooks. You defeat this through your delivery. Long multi-page emails signal a slow-moving communication style. Clinical brevity in your writing signals a modern, high-velocity operator. You must also use modern operational shorthand. Reference your use of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools and workflow automation natively, discussing unit economics, margin compression, and sprint velocity. When your language and analytical tools align with the current market, it becomes much harder for an employer to justify labeling you as outdated. Even with the right pitch, you have to target the right market. Early stage startups often only value cheap, high-volume hustle, making them a poor fit for senior expertise. Instead, look at mid-market companies experiencing rapid growth. As their processes break, they reach a point where they desperately need adult supervision to stabilize operations and manage risk. Private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies are another primary target. They care about immediate EBITDA and cash flow. They don’t have time for a junior manager to learn on the job. They want proven operators who can hit milestones immediately. Shifting your leverage to strategic value changes your standing in the market. You stop begging for a chance and enter the room as a diagnostic [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) who understands the employer’s risks better than they do. Jeff Altman’s book, The [Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/) Professional’s Guide to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), offers a deeper look at mastering this posture. It is available on Amazon or through his website. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a Strategic Advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Over 50, Bias, Text **Tags:** Overcoming Age Bias in Job Search --- ### [The Easiest Way to Apply Isn't Usually the Best Way](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-easiest-way-to-apply-isnt-usually-the-best-way-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/) **Published:** August 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discourages you from applying to jobs using convenient buttons on job listings. **Content:** # The Easiest Way to Apply Isn’t Usually the Best Way **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discourages you from [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) using convenient buttons on job listings. [***Ask Yourself These Questions Before Applying***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jGS) Today, I’m going to talk with you about a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) the job hunters are making our convenience. Often, at the end of the job description, there are a group of ![recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cropped-why-do-recruiters-ask-if-i-am-applying-at-other-companies-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg)buttons that allow you to apply with [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), apply with Indeed, or apply with [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). These are not ideal ways of [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). They are easy and convenient ways but they are not ideal. Let me give you an example. You see a job description and say to yourself, “this is easy. All I have to do is click the apply with [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) gotten.” Here the problems: 1. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) usually doesn’t give you a great [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Most of you write your profiles as a synopsis of your experience. So it’s kind of thin. 2. For all of these, whether you use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), indeed, or monster, you haven’t tailored the submittal to what the client is looking for. You are sending a generic response. Before you actually apply using one of these buttons, think to yourself, “What am I sending? How does it demonstrate that I actually fit the job that’s involved?” Without that, you’re actually flipping a bad [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) like a burger at a fast food restaurant to the job at. With many of these, certainly with the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, many of you don’t put a phone number in your profile or open up your email address to the receiver. How was someone supposed to contact you? An email exchange? No! We are there to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) you. We want to talk to you. Replying by email saying, “send me your phone number please. I would like to call you.” Garbage! It’s a waste of time! If you think were making that phone call first when we have people who actually gave us their phone number to call them and made it easy for us to reach out to them, you’re mistaken. ***[Warning Signs to Look for in a Job Ad](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-itH)*** [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a Strategic Advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applying for a Job, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, Text **Tags:** the easiest way to apply for a job, The Easiest Way to Apply Isn't Usually the Best Way --- ### [Don’t Just Follow a Firm on LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-just-follow-a-firm-on-linkedin/) **Published:** August 11, 1026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There's a hidden way to express your interested in working for a firm. **Content:** # Don’t Just Follow a Firm on LinkedIn. Tell Them You’re Interested in Working for Them **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/5UJQXzTAKMU) There’s a hidden way to express your interest in working for a firm. [***Adapt!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fG) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** LinkedIn, #Shorts **Tags:** Don’t Just Follow a Firm on LinkedIn. Tell Them You’re Interested in Working for Them --- ### [Changing Careers? Gave Yourself a Hard No? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-careers-gave-yourself-a-hard-no-shorts/) **Published:** August 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Oh, the tricks we sometimes play on ourselves. When you're changing careers, sometimes the hard no is one of those tricks. **Content:** # Changing Careers? Gave Yourself a Hard No? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/dC6gD3xhuM0) Oh, the tricks we sometimes play on ourselves. When you’re changing [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), sometimes the hard no is one of those tricks. [***Better Than Applying Through The ATS***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3) [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Networking? I Don’t Know What to Say!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-grq) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Changing Careers **Tags:** Changing Careers? Gave Yourself a Hard No? --- ### [Senior. Intermediate. Junior. What’s the Difference? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/senior-intermediate-junior-whats-the-difference-shorts/) **Published:** August 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** People get fixated on levels. **Content:** # Senior. Intermediate. Junior. What’s the Difference? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** People get fixated on levels. Don’t. [***Better Than Applying Through The ATS***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[***4 Secrets to a Successful Job Search in FinTech***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljz) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily. Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***I Just Was Laid Off? What Do I Do Next?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljt) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube. [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, #Shorts **Tags:** Senior. Intermediate. Junior. What’s the Difference? --- ### [As a Recruiter, What Are the Most Important Things You Look for? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/as-a-recruiter-what-are-the-most-important-things-you-look-for-shorts/) **Published:** August 10, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** As a recruiter, what are the most important things you look for in a resume and/or LinkedIn profile? **Content:** # As a Recruiter, What Are the Most Important Things You Look for? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/VWfgV1zVEKI) **As a recruiter, what are the most important things you look for in a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and/or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile?** [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Recruiters, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** As a Recruiter What Are the Most Important Things You Look fot? --- ### [15 Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-career-pipeline/) **Published:** August 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to accelerate your pipeline without burning out, integrate these 15-minute moves into your daily routine. **Content:** # 15 Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When professionals hit a wall in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), the default response is brute force. They dedicate four-hour blocks on Sunday afternoons to rewriting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), tailoring [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) for dozens of job board ads, or blasting out generic connection requests. This macro-effort usually yields micro-results. The issue isn’t a lack of effort; it’s operational drag. Heavy, multi-hour [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) sessions lead to mental fatigue and low-quality output. High-yield [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions. These precise actions, taking 15 minutes or less, bypass traditional corporate filters and force immediate market [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). If you want to accelerate your pipeline without burning out, integrate these [15-minute moves](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-career-pipeline-2/) into your daily routine. ### 1. Execute a Requisition ID Referral Bypass (15 Minutes) [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) directly through an [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) drops your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a Tier 3 public pool where software parses your credentials into plain text tokens. To override this automated filter, you need an internal tracking tag. Find the exact requisition ID for a role you want, then spend 15 minutes finding a second-degree connection at that company. Send them a low-friction note designed around corporate [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) incentives: > “I’m preparing to submit my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for the \[Job Title\] role under Requisition #\[Number\]. I know how internal routing works, and I want to make sure my background hits the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team or manager cleanly. If your company runs an internal [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) program, would you be open to dropping my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into the system directly? I’ve aligned my experience explicitly with the job description so it reflects well on whoever routes it.” In less than 15 minutes, you give an internal peer a zero-effort opportunity to claim a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bonus while moving your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) straight to a recruiter’s manual review dashboard. ### 2. Run a 1-Page “Boardroom Diagnostic” Prompt (10 Minutes) When reaching out to department heads or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) leads, cold social begging (asking for “15 minutes to pick your brain) often gets ignored. You need to establish parity by offering immediate value. Spend 10 minutes feeding unstructured data from your target company (a transcript from their latest earnings call, a recent press release, or a competitor’s expansion announcement) into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model. Use a simple diagnostic prompt: > “Analyze this transcript to identify two operational or infrastructure risks this team will face over the next two quarters. Cross-reference these with my background in \[Specialization\] and generate a two-sentence, peer-level observation regarding the friction they will encounter.” Copy the resulting insight, clean up the phrasing to match your natural voice, and send it as a direct note. You aren’t asking for a job; you are diagnosing an active liability and positioning yourself as a peer. ### 3. Deploy the “Forwardable Asset” Bridge (15 Minutes) When asking a mutual contact for an introduction to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, most people make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of asking their contact to write a custom email. This creates cognitive friction, and your request gets delayed (indefinitely or permanently). Eliminate the friction by spending 15 minutes drafting a ready-to-forward package: 1. Write a short note to your connection asking if they’d be open to making an intro. 2. Below that, write the exact text they can copy and paste to the decision-maker, detailing a concise, 1-page breakdown or project framework you built that solves a relevant problem. 3\. Your contact doesn’t have to think or write; they simply hit “Forward.” ### 4. Audit Your Profile’s First 80 Characters (5 Minutes) [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) scanning [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) search results only see your name, photo, and your headline before deciding whether to click. Spend 5 minutes removing generic titles like “Experienced Marketing Leader Seeking New Opportunities.” Replace them with a crisp, value-driven execution statement: > “Scaling B2B SaaS revenue pipelines | Specializing in post-merger integration & unit economics” > > This shifts your profile from a passive [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) placeholder to an active solution headline. ### The Bottom Line A successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot is not built on marathon sessions of blind [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. It is built on small, clinical actions executed with consistency. Stop spending hours feeding [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) databases. Pick one 15-minute action each morning, execute it with precision, and let the compound effect of high-leverage outreach shift the market leverage back to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** 15 Minute Job Search Tips, Text **Tags:** 15 Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline --- ### [No BS Career Advice: August 9 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-9-2026/) **Published:** August 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: August 9 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Your goal](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Your-goal-scaled.png) My wife is back tonight from a seven-week trip to Northern England. We have been married for a long time and I miss her a lot. I look forward to seeing her. I’m not just saying this because my brother-in-law reads these newsletters every week, but I really do miss her. [**Resumes That Work: The No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) will help you score higher on [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) and so people actually read your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). It points out a lot of the flaws that people make that prove so damaging. These self-inflicted wounds may be why you aren’t getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). For the balance of this week, it is available for $4.99 for a limited time. Then the price will increase to $12.99. There’s no reason to keep [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) and wasting your effort if your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is going to be rejected. This will help you fix that problem. ## 15 Minute Moves to Shift Your Career Pipeline **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When professionals hit a wall in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), the default response is brute force. They dedicate four-hour blocks on Sunday afternoons to rewriting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), tailoring [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) for dozens of job board ads, or blasting out generic connection requests. This macro-effort usually yields micro-results. The issue isn’t a lack of effort; it’s operational drag. Heavy, multi-hour [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) sessions lead to mental fatigue and low-quality output. High-yield [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions are rarely driven by massive, exhausting overhauls. They are built on targeted, high-leverage micro-actions. These precise actions, taking 15 minutes or less, bypass traditional corporate filters and force immediate market [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). If you want to accelerate your pipeline without burning out, integrate these [15-minute moves](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-career-pipeline-2/) into your daily routine. ### 1. Execute a Requisition ID Referral Bypass (15 Minutes) [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) directly through an [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) drops your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a Tier 3 public pool where software parses your credentials into plain text tokens. To override this automated filter, you need an internal tracking tag. Find the exact requisition ID for a role you want, then spend 15 minutes finding a second-degree connection at that company. Send them a low-friction note designed around corporate [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) incentives: > “I’m preparing to submit my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for the \[Job Title\] role under Requisition #\[Number\]. I know how internal routing works, and I want to make sure my background hits the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team or manager cleanly. If your company runs an internal [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) program, would you be open to dropping my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into the system directly? I’ve aligned my experience explicitly with the job description so it reflects well on whoever routes it.” In less than 15 minutes, you give an internal peer a zero-effort opportunity to claim a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bonus while moving your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) straight to a recruiter’s manual review dashboard. ### 2. Run a 1-Page “Boardroom Diagnostic” Prompt (10 Minutes) When reaching out to department heads or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) leads, cold social begging (asking for “15 minutes to pick your brain) often gets ignored. You need to establish parity by offering immediate value. Spend 10 minutes feeding unstructured data from your target company (a transcript from their latest earnings call, a recent press release, or a competitor’s expansion announcement) into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model. Use a simple diagnostic prompt: > “Analyze this transcript to identify two operational or infrastructure risks this team will face over the next two quarters. Cross-reference these with my background in \[Specialization\] and generate a two-sentence, peer-level observation regarding the friction they will encounter.” Copy the resulting insight, clean up the phrasing to match your natural voice, and send it as a direct note. You aren’t asking for a job; you are diagnosing an active liability and positioning yourself as a peer. ### 3. Deploy the “Forwardable Asset” Bridge (15 Minutes) When asking a mutual contact for an introduction to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, most people make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of asking their contact to write a custom email. This creates cognitive friction, and your request gets delayed (indefinitely or permanently). Eliminate the friction by spending 15 minutes drafting a ready-to-forward package: 1. Write a short note to your connection asking if they’d be open to making an intro. 2. Below that, write the exact text they can copy and paste to the decision-maker, detailing a concise, 1-page breakdown or project framework you built that solves a relevant problem. 3\. Your contact doesn’t have to think or write; they simply hit “Forward.” ### 4. Audit Your Profile’s First 80 Characters (5 Minutes) [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) scanning [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) search results only see your name, photo, and your headline before deciding whether to click. Spend 5 minutes removing generic titles like “Experienced Marketing Leader Seeking New Opportunities.” Replace them with a crisp, value-driven execution statement: > “Scaling B2B SaaS revenue pipelines | Specializing in post-merger integration & unit economics” This shifts your profile from a passive [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) placeholder to an active solution headline. ### The Bottom Line A successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot is not built on marathon sessions of blind [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. It is built on small, clinical actions executed with consistency. Stop spending hours feeding [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) databases. Pick one 15-minute action each morning, execute it with precision, and let the compound effect of high-leverage outreach shift the market leverage back to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Last week I released a few blog posts: **10 [Camera Blunders](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-camera-blunders-sabotaging-your-virtual-interview/) Sabotaging Your Video [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)** Excerpt: [Job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) have undergone a transformation, with virtual platforms becoming the new norm. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down 10 common, easy-to-correct visual and presentation [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make during on-camera [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Link: **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): August 2, 2027** Excerpt: [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) covering [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) strategies that leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), high-conversion [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) outreach tactics, and avoiding damaging self-inflicted wounds in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Link: **The About Section of Your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile #shorts** Excerpt: There is a huge opportunity in the About section of your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile that most job hunters underestimate and overlook. Link: **9 Questions to Prepare To Answer in a C Suite [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)** Excerpt: Executive [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) demand a completely different level of strategic preparation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the top 9 questions C-level candidates must master to demonstrate vision, leadership, and operational authority. Link: **Making [Eye Contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) on Camera** Excerpt: Looking at your screen instead of the lens breaks human connection during virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares quick, effective techniques to maintain natural [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) on camera and build instant rapport. Link: **Crafting a Winning Personal [Marketing Plan](https://thebiggamehunter.us/crafting-a-winning-personal-marketing-plan-for-your-job-search/) for Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: A well-constructed personal [marketing plan](https://thebiggamehunter.us/crafting-a-winning-personal-marketing-plan-for-your-job-search/) is crucial for prioritizing activities to help you achieve your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) goals. Link: **The Top 10 Sources Who Can Help You With Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: Often the most critical question you can ask yourself is, “Who can help me with a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)?” Link: **Are You Making These Common Video [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)?** Excerpt: If you want to command respect and secure the next round, you have to audit your setup and eliminate these common video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Link: **[Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Putting an Objective on Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) #shorts** Excerpt: Why would you put an objective on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? Link: **AI-Powered [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) Meets Low-Friction Outreach** Excerpt: You do not build real connections by begging for time, nor by sending automated spam. You build leverage through Outreach Parity: using artificial intelligence to run deep [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s real pain points, and then delivering a concise, human, low-friction observation that positions you as a valuable peer. Link: **Taking a [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Sabbatical? \#shorts** Excerpt: Taking a break or sabbatical in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) can [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) questions for potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to frame a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) sabbatical on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) without hurting your candidacy. Link: **[How to Prove Your Value](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-prove-your-value-when-ai-can-do-your-job/) When [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Can Do Your Job** Excerpt: Watch to this episode to learn how to aggressively market your human judgment and win your next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Link: **Should I [Follow Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/)? #shorts** Excerpt: I’ve found this to be true many times . . .and there’s no harm if you do it differently. Link: **Why You Put [Contact Info](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) on Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** Excerpt: In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains the importance of putting [contact information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Link: **What [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Know That You Don’t: The Market for Your Experience** Excerpt: Your manager may be gaslighting you when they tell you about the great experience you’ll be learning. Link: **Don’t Make The [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) I Made** Excerpt: Everyone makes [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). I make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and you make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). This is one [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) I made that I hope you don’t. Link: **Three [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Rules** Excerpt: Three [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Rules By [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses three rules for [writing cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) you must employ. Link: **Your [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Doesn’t Have to End #shorts** Excerpt: You are in charge of your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Link: **Is It Okay to Reach Out to an Employer After Being Rejected?** Excerpt: Getting rejected isn’t always the end of the road. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to professionally [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) after a [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) to stay on the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s radar for future opportunities or backfill roles. Link: **How to Stand Out in a Saturated Job Market #shorts** Excerpt: When hundreds of applicants apply for the same role, standard [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) fall flat. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a high-impact strategy to differentiate yourself immediately. Link: **How to Overcome Lack of Experience in an [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)** Excerpt: Don’t let a lack of direct experience disqualify you. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how to pivot the conversation toward problem-solving capability, adaptability, and fast learning velocity. Link: **Why [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) Ghost Candidates After Great [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)** Excerpt: You thought the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) went amazingly, but then heard complete radio silence. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) reveals the internal corporate reasons behind ghosting and how to handle it strategically. Link: **Mastering the Post-Interview [Follow Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) Strategy** Excerpt: A simple “thank you” email isn’t enough anymore. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details a high-signal [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) framework that reinforces your value and addresses unstated concerns before final decisions are made. Link: **How to Dodge the Early [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Question Traps Excerpt:** This episode delivers exact scripts to deflect [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) demands, legally dodge past-pay questions, and force [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to reveal their budget first. **Link:** **YouTube and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) #shorts #jobsearchtv Excerpt:** There are a lot of parallels between the development of YouTube and where I think [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is going to go as well. Link: **Ending the [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Right! Excerpt:** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the way to end a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and leave a great impression. Link: **Sh\*t [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Say #shorts Excerpt:** Here’s an example of one of the stupid things [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) say that drives people crazy… and rightly so. Link: ***Books and Guides by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*** [*Resumes That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC) [***“Networkinging for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [***No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [***Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [***101 Ways to Find Job Leads***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [***Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [***Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [***The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [***LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [***Finding a Job After You Graduate College***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [***Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [***The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Profile Strategy in the AI Era***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [***Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [***ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [***Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [***From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [***Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [***Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [***Final Interview Preparation***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [***No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [***Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) **All of them cost less than $10. Many are available for 99 cents** **\#BeGreat** ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Transition Coach | [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) | Personal [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) | [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and Compensation Negotiation | [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) Networker | [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) member 7653 | I’ve Helped Tens of Thousands of People Find New [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: August 9 2026 --- ### [Career Immortality](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** We treat our careers and our work as though it will live on in perpetuity and help us stay immortal. **Content:** # Career Immortality **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I have a video that proclaims, “Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is Not a Tatoo.” It is not a permanent document . . . but we treat our [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and our work as though it will live on in perpetuity and help us stay immortal. Even with [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) groups where I helped found a chapter, my name has no meaning. I suspect the same is true for you, too. So, why do we act as though every decision we make is life and death? Why do we think in terms of “our legacy” when we talk about our work? We care. It matters to us that we do good work . . . and that is a great quality to have. But both you and your work will be forgotten. Your legacy is that you cared and that it mattered. It is not some all pervasive memory of you as though people will read scripture about you. You cared. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2019 **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Should I Connect With People on LinkedIn Who Rejected Me for a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-27b) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Career Angles, Text **Tags:** Career Immortality --- ### [Should I Use a Video Cover Letter to Stand Out?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-use-a-video-cover-letter-to-stand-out/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Video cover letters are a growing trend. Should you use one as part of your job hunting? **Content:** # Should I Use a Video Cover Letter to Stand Out? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Video [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) are a growing trend. Should you use one as part of your job hunting? Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m the head coach of [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). And the question is, “Should I use a video [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) in order to stand out?” Well, like many pieces of advice, the answer is yes, or maybe no. I don’t know enough to really judge. Here’s the reluctance I have. Most of you are not great actors and actresses. You think you are. You think you put on a good performance, but most of you stink. Years ago, many years ago, when video was a relatively new phenomenon, I remember getting a VHS tape from a job hunter who basically read his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in front of a backdrop, and it was the most boring treatise imaginable. Most of you don’t talk to the camera well. You can read the speech, but do you think that’s going to be exciting to someone? Like if you sat in the audience in a theater, and someone said—I’m just going to pick something up at random—and read to you, “So…” See, I’ve got something I’m reading. “So…” And they read to you exactly what was on the piece of paper, and every once in a while looked up, like someone reading from a teleprompter, does that seem real exciting? No. Is there any personality that’s coming out from this? Probably not. See, it really depends upon who you are and how well you communicate. There are many, many people who are sensational communicators. They’ve got a lot of [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) and passion. They’ll deliver a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that speaks to the listener and says, “You know, this is how you describe the job. Let me tell you what I’ve done that’s relevant.” And they’ll actually speak to that extemporaneously and sound phenomenal. And then there’s most of you, who will write a speech, you’ll tape it up on your monitor, or, you know, you’re going to be holding your phone there in front of you, and you’re going to be looking like this, and then you’re going to look down at what you wrote, and then you’re going to look up again, and you’re going to be awful. So, you know, the right answer is the one that’s right for you. I don’t want to give a general rule. But the reality is most people, most people are absolutely atrocious in front of the camera because you’re not well practiced enough. I’ve done more than 2,000 YouTube videos. You know, I host podcasts. I’m relatively glib at this point. I spent most of my career as a headhunter. I’m talking to people off-script for a long time. Most of you don’t need to do that, and haven’t translate—and if you have that experience, you haven’t learned how to translate that to an audience. And the result winds up being you are far better in writing than you are in person. Now, that’s the general statement. Now let me go into one extra layer. Unfortunately in this world, there’s also a lot of discrimination. And by seeing someone, you open yourself up to number one, discrimination, number two, mockery. So for example, you can mock me for wearing this coach hat, and that’s fine. But if you’re looking for a job and someone’s sitting there going, “Hey, what the hell’s with that coach hat he’s wearing?” or “What’s with that shirt he’s got on?” or “Gee, she comes across like an idiot,” well, they’re not evaluating you for who you are; they’re distracted by something. So, that’s the other reluctance. Unless you have that great delivery that’s completely captivating, you expose yourself to [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) on the basis of of bias and distraction that’s completely unnecessary. So as always, you know, it can work, it can’t work. You really have to know yourself. Hope you found this helpful, and have a great day! [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Cover Letters, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Text **Tags:** cover letter advice, cover letter tips, cover letters, Should I Use a Video Cover Letter to Stand Out?, Should I Use a Video Cover Letter?, video cover letters --- ### [From Manual Grind to AI-Automated Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/from-manual-grind-to-ai-automated-job-search/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # **From Manual Grind to AI-Automated Job Search** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is notoriously grueling, often demanding hours of manual effort for minimal returns. But what if you could compress a three-hour daily [grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) into a highly targeted, 10-minute automated routine? One resourceful job seeker did exactly that by using generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to systematically optimize and automate their search, moving from a **stressful “spray and pray” approach** to a streamlined process that ultimately secured an exciting new role. Here is a breakdown of how they engineered this transition, offering a blueprint to make your own search more efficient. **The Starting Point: “Spray and Pray”** When faced with organizational uncertainty, this professional launched a traditional, manual job search. They spent about three hours a day scouring [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and submitting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). In one early two-week stretch, they applied to 18 [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), receiving seven automated rejections and zero callbacks. Historically, their manual approach was similarly bleak: a prior batch of 73 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) yielded just one callback and one [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). It was clear that **brute force was not a winning strategy**. **Phase 1: [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Optimization and [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Compliance** To pivot, the job seeker first ensured their baseline materials were flawless. They updated their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) so every bullet point highlighted achievements with measurable results, creating separate versions for individual contributor and leadership roles. Crucially, they used [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to make their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) **compliant with automated tracking systems ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/))**. The technology successfully identified hidden Unicode characters that were highly readable to humans but disrupted automated parsers. Relying on a strict rule preventing the system from fabricating information, they uploaded a comprehensive master [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) containing their entire [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) history to generate optimized templates based strictly on actual experience. **Phase 2: Partial Automation and Filters** Next, they **defined strict criteria** for their search: a lowest acceptable [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), preferred [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) range, travel percentage limits, maximum commute distance, and a requirement that roles be posted within the last 24 hours. Initially, they ran a semi-automated process, pasting job descriptions into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool to rate the fit on a 1-to-10 scale. They only applied if the job scored a 6 or higher. While this three-week phase saw slight improvements—55 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), one [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and one offer—it still demanded significant manual effort. **Phase 3: Full Scheduled Automation** The real breakthrough came with **full scheduled automation**. They deployed a script that ran daily at 9:00 AM, automatically scouring job boards and target companies within their travel radius. For any job that met the criteria and scored a 6 or higher, the system built a customized [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). Their only manual daily task was opening the provided links to verify the posting was active and had under 100 applicants on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). This reduced their daily time investment to a mere 10 minutes. **The Hard Numbers and Key Takeaways** The results of the six-week automated phase were striking: 47 targeted [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) yielded seven callbacks and one [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Over their entire 11-week search, they applied to 125 [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), received eight callbacks, and secured two job offers, ultimately accepting a position they were truly excited about. This strategy highlights a vital lesson: automation’s power lies in **filtering harder and tailoring better**, not just [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to more [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). However, human judgment remains the ultimate differentiator. AI-assisted tailoring only works if the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) tells a clear, strategically positioned story. Automation handles the heavy lifting, but human oversight and relationships are still what get your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in front of the right person. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text --- ### [How to Build an AI Pipeline That 7x's Your Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-an-ai-pipeline-that-7xs-your-job-interviews/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # How to Build an AI Pipeline That 7x’s Your Job Interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Mass-applying to hundreds of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) is a complete waste of your time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). Learn how one job seeker stopped manual copy-pasting, built an autonomous [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) pipeline, cut his daily job hunt to 10 minutes, and secured 7x more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). In April, David Wayland suspected impending layoffs at his company. Facing an uncertain future, he dedicated three hours every single day to the job hunt, turning his evenings into a highly stressful second shift. Like most job seekers, he relied on a volume-based strategy. He took his standard printed [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and mass submitted it to open positions, hoping sheer numbers would eventually generate a response. This animated diagram tracks the results of that initial effort. Out of 73 manual [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions, the massive output narrowed down to exactly one initial callback. To improve those odds, David introduced [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) into his workflow. He manually copied job descriptions into a chat window, attached his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), and asked the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to rate his fit for the role. Over two weeks, this hybrid approach produced 18 targeted [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/). Those [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) resulted in seven automated rejections and zero [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Treating an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) like an advanced spell checker leaves the biggest bottleneck intact. The human user still has to manually read, copy, paste, and evaluate every single posting, making the pipeline painfully slow. To build a systemic approach, David first structured his inputs. He created two highly optimized base [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/): one specifically for individual contributor roles, and another tailored for leadership positions. Next, he programmed strict rules for the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). This animated funnel visualizes the four parameters: minimum [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), specific travel radius, posted within 24 hours, and under 100 applicants. Finally, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) scored surviving [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) 1 to 10, allowing only a 6 or higher to pass. Running this structured filtering process for three weeks yielded 55 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) and one callback. The filter worked, but David was caught in a [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) identified the right [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), yet David still had to manually tailor every [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), write every [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), and submit the paperwork himself. The system was unscalable. To solve the execution problem, David removed himself from the driver’s seat. He took his criteria and wired it into a scheduled script using Claude. Every morning at exactly 9:00 AM, the script woke up. Without any human prompting, it autonomously scraped job boards, evaluated local companies, and scored the available listings against his strict parameters. For every single job that cleared the threshold, the system independently generated a custom tailored [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and a specific [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), perfectly aligned with the open role. This diagram shows how the script solved a critical, unseen problem: [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). It actively scanned David’s documents, identifying and wiping out hidden Unicode characters that humans can’t see but cause automated parsing software to instantly reject a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). With the heavy lifting automated, David’s daily job hunt shrank to a 10-minute administrative check. He simply clicked the links the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) provided, verified the job was still active, and submitted the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). By fully automating the pipeline, David transitioned from performing manual data entry to acting as an executive supervisor, overseeing a system that worked for him. After running this autonomous pipeline for six weeks, the script had identified and applied to 47 highly targeted [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). This comparative bar chart illustrates the final return on investment. Compared to the single callback from his original 73 manual submissions, the automated pipeline secured seven initial [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and resulted in one accepted job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). The daily time commitment dropped from three hours of high-stress labor down to 10 minutes of calm review. The data reveals a surprising reality about this approach. The fully automated system actually submitted fewer total [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) than David’s original manual method. When applied to [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) acts as a hyper-filter that scales precision. By aggressively narrowing the field, it proves that [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to a smaller pool of high-quality, targeted [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) yields a far higher [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) rate. If you want to optimize your own search, hit like, share this video, and subscribe to help others. For more tools and [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to accelerate [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), visit jobsearch.community and explore Jeff Altman’s [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) resources. [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** How to Build an AI Pipeline That 7x's Your Job Interviews --- ### [Why Are You Interested in This Job? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-are-you-interested-in-this-job-shorts/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is a classic question firms ask. **Content:** # Why Are You Interested in This Job? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **Categories:** #Shorts, Tough Interview Questions --- ### [Why Taking a "Lower" Job May Be a Smart Move](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-taking-a-lower-job-may-be-a-smart-move/) **Published:** August 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you take a step sideways or down, people assume something went wrong. That mindset is BS. **Content:** # Why Taking a “Lower” Job May Be a Smart Move **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** We live in a culture obsessed with linear [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) progression. Every step must be up. Every title must sound grander than the last. Every leap must come with a pay bump and a higher rank on the corporate ladder. If you take a step sideways or down, people assume something went wrong—that , you were [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), burnt out, couldn’t hack it at the higher level . . . or worse. That mindset is BS Taking a job you are overqualified for isn’t a failure. Done intentionally, it is a sharp, strategic maneuver that can give you leverage, peace of mind, and long-term momentum. Here is why you should stop worrying about title vanity and consider taking a role where you are the most experienced person in the room. ## 1. Instant Competence Builds Instant Authority When you enter a role where you already possess 100% of the required skills, your learning curve vanishes. While others spend six months figuring out basic execution, you hit the ground running on day one. This creates an immediate shift in workplace dynamics. You aren’t struggling to stay afloat; you are operating with effortless efficiency. Managers quickly realize you don’t need hand-holding. Colleagues look to you for guidance. Because the baseline tasks are trivial to you, your surplus mental bandwidth can be directed toward high-value problem solving, process optimization, and leadership. You become indispensable almost immediately. ## 2. You Trade Performance Stress for Mental Bandwidth High-level positions demand constant vigilance. They consume your evenings, your weekends, and your mental [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). When you operate at the ceiling of your ability, every week feels like an endurance test. Stepping into a role below your upper limit changes the equation entirely. When the work itself is manageable, your baseline [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) drops. You gain back your time and cognitive [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). You can use that extra capacity to pursue side ventures, focus on your family, acquire new skill sets on your own terms, or simply enjoy life without the dark cloud of executive [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) hanging over your head. Work becomes something you do efficiently, not something that consumes your identity. ## 3. It Is the Fastest Way to Pivot Industries If you want to change industries, functions, or sectors, insisting on keeping your more senior title is often a [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). Companies are reluctant to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) an outsider at a senior level when they lack domain-specific experience. By accepting a role you are technically overqualified for on paper, you lower the risk for the employer while securing your entry ticket into a new field. Once you are inside the organization, your superior overall baseline experience will shine through. You will [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) faster than peers with less general experience, positioning yourself for rapid promotion within an industry you actually want to be in. ## 4. You Gain Total Control Over Quality and Pacing When you know how to do a job with your eyes closed, you dictate the standard of execution. You don’t make rookie [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). You don’t waste time on inefficient routines. You know which corners can be cut safely and which details require absolute perfection. This mastery gives you control over your schedule. Tasks that take a junior employee eight hours might take you two. That leaves you with six hours to take on strategic projects, mentor others, or simply work at a sustainable, comfortable pace. ## Reclaiming Your Career Narrative It is time to eliminate the shame surrounding taking a role below your previous level. Your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) is not a public performance to satisfy former classmates or distant relatives on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). It is a vehicle to support your life, your goals, and your well-being. Taking a job you are overqualified for isn’t settling; it’s positioning. It allows you to enter a company with high [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), low [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/), and maximum capability. You get to be the veteran player on the field, setting the standard while operating comfortably within your comfort zone. Never apologize for taking a step that gives you control over your life. A title doesn’t pay your bills or protect your mental health—strategic choices do. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Offer --- ### [You Don’t Have to Keep Doing Work You Detest #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-dont-have-to-keep-doing-work-you-detest-shorts/) **Published:** August 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Are you doing a job that you absolutely loathe? You don’t have to. **Content:** # You Don’t Have to Keep Doing Work You Detest #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Are you doing a job that you absolutely loathe? You don’t have to. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles --- ### [Crafting a Winning Personal Marketing Plan for Your Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/crafting-a-winning-personal-marketing-plan-for-your-job-search/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A well-constructed personal marketing plan is crucial for prioritizing activities to help you achieve your career goals. **Content:** # Crafting a Winning Personal Marketing Plan for Your Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A well-constructed personal marketing plan is crucial for prioritizing activities to help you achieve [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) goals. Like any successful project, a good plan helps you organize your efforts, keep your productivity high, and stay focused on your [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/). Your plan defines [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) direction and the steps needed to get there, including the types of organizations you aim to pursue. The quicker you create and implement your marketing plan, the faster you’ll land your desired job. A personal marketing plan includes four essential components: ### 1. Defining Your Objective To kickstart your marketing plan, start with a clear objective: What is your professional goal? Your objective should be a concise statement that describes the kind of work you are seeking. It should reflect your values, skills, interests, and overall experience in a way that is easily understood by people both inside and outside of your profession. ### 2. Identifying Preferred Functions After defining your objective, list the roles or areas of work that match your experience and interests. Typically, this involves one or two words and should include three to five targeted functions. These functions should be listed under your professional objective and may include typical job titles within these functions. **Examples:** - Marketing Management - Senior Banker - Senior Electrical Design Engineer - Human Resources Generalist Functions to consider: - Strategy development - Market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) - Product development - Commercial banking - Compliance - Asset management - Organization development - Staffing ### 3. 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Your positioning statement should include four elements: 1. **Profession**: State your current professional identity (e.g., “I am a marketing executive”). 2. **Expertise**: Highlight the competencies and skills that qualify you for this work. 3. **Types of Organizations**: Summarize the types of environments or organizations where you have worked. 4. **Unique Strengths**: Describe the qualities that set you apart from others in your field. **Example:** “I am an information systems specialist focused on [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) technology to business functions in marketing, sales, manufacturing, logistics, and accounting. I’ve worked with a Fortune 500 firm and a small entrepreneurial business and am currently an adjunct professor at Centennial College. My strengths include data administration, strategic planning, data warehousing, and relational database design, development, and implementation.” Practice this statement aloud so you can deliver it confidently in any situation. ### 4. Defining Your Target Market Your target market outlines the types of organizations you plan to pursue including: - **Geographic Location**: Decide whether you’ll pursue companies nationwide or limit yourself to a specific area based on personal preferences and market demand. - **Industry or Type of Organization**: Choose industries based on your experience and professional [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/). Consider your transferable skills if you’re interested in switching industries. - **Size of Organization**: Determine whether you prefer large, established organizations or smaller startups. Keep in mind the size should align with the positions available. - **Organizational Culture** (optional): Factor in company culture if it significantly impacts your job satisfaction. **Determining the Size of Your Target Market:** - **Geographic Location**: Define it precisely, like a sales territory. - **Industry/Type of Organization**: Use Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. - **Size of Organization**: State in terms of annual revenue, number of employees, or other relevant measures. - **Organizational Culture**: Define concretely (e.g., companies with a diverse workforce or those that use cross-functional teams). ### Building and Evaluating Your Target List Identify your top 25 to 50 target organizations using your criteria. Conduct thorough [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), stay informed, and continuously refine your list. Evaluate the size of your target market by estimating the number of available openings. If you have fewer than 10 firms, expand your target market. You are in the right zone with between 10 and 50. If it is [over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/), prune it back to start smaller. Now that you understand the four parts of a marketing plan, use the Marketing Plan Template to create your own. A well-constructed marketing plan is key to ensuring you avoid wasting time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) on unproductive search activities. Take the time to develop and implement your plan, and you’ll be well on your way to landing your next great job. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2024 [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 4 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/yTWIGMD8w5U) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Should I Connect With People on LinkedIn Who Rejected Me for a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-27b) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Marketing, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Crafting a Winning Personal Marketing Plan for Your Job Search --- ### [The Top 10 Sources Who Can Help You With Your Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-sources-who-can-help-you-with-your-job-search/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Often the most critical question you can ask yourself is, "Who can help me with a job search?" **Content:** # The Top 10 Sources Who Can Help You With Your Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Whether you are a student who is entering the workforce or the executive looking for a new position, often the most critical question you can ask yourself is, “Who can help me with a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)?” ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-just-follow-a-firm-on-linkedin/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Networking, Text **Tags:** The Top 10 Sources Who Can Help You With Your Job Search --- ### [2 Mistakes Older Job Hunters Make (and How to Solve them) #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-mistakes-older-job-hunters-make-and-how-to-solve-them-shorts/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Job search is a game you can win with the right instructions. Let me help you. Here are 2 mistakes older professionals make when job hunting. **Content:** # 2 Mistakes Older Job Hunters Make (and How to Solve them) #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/0IkUoCuuS_s) [Job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is a game you can win with the right instructions. Let me help you. Here are 2 [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) older professionals make when [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Over 50, #Shorts **Tags:** 2 Mistakes Older Job Hunters Make (and How to Solve them) --- ### [Resume Mistakes: Putting an Objective on Your Resume #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-putting-an-objective-on-your-resume-shorts/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Why would you put an objective on your resume? **Content:** # Resume Mistakes: Putting an Objective on Your Resume #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** If the video doesn/t play properly, [click here](https://youtube.com/shorts/6ybm8eSzv_I) Why would you put an objective on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-no-bs-guide-to-resume-metrics/)? ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Resume Mistakes: Putting an Objective on Your Resume --- ### [Stop Applying Cold: Target High-Growth Companies Direct](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) **Published:** August 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop acting like a job hunter and start presenting clear proof of your operational capability. **Content:** # Stop Applying Cold: Target High-Growth Companies Direct **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The market is flooded with noise. 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The most effective way to stand out on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and catch a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s eye is to replace unverified claims with visual proof. Traditional [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) list generic duties–managing budgets, leading teams, or optimizing processes. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are unimpressed by basic job descriptions; they evaluate people on business outcomes– people who showcase tangible evidence of their work. Hyperlink to an online [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), share a redacted project blueprint, or record a brief screen-share video dissecting a complex problem you solved. 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Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. 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Normally, tech adoption curves take decades, but three forces—accessibility, workplace normalization, and extreme competitive pressure—took that timeline and compressed it into a violent two-to-three-year window. The first driver was accessibility. Platforms became free or cheap enough that using them required absolutely no coding knowledge, unlike the earlier generations of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) that demanded specialized [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/). Once a critical mass of workers adopted these tools to move faster, staying on the sidelines became a visible liability. Everyone else had to [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) just to keep pace with the new speed of work, regardless of their personal comfort level. Because this total industry shift happened while nobody was watching, most job seekers are still using outdated strategies. 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That makes basic tool familiarity a highly learnable, low-value [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). You can learn it in an afternoon. It is never going to make you stand out in a competitive market. So here is the paradox we have to deal with: because [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency is an assumed baseline, the new professional differentiator isn’t technical at all. What actually separates top candidates right now is judgment. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) platforms are ultimately just option generators; they produce drafts very quickly. It requires an experienced human to step in and evaluate which of those generated options is factually correct or actually appropriate for a highly specific context. You cannot prompt that evaluative skill into existence. 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Treat [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency as the unstated table stakes of the modern job hunt. But when it comes to the headline of your candidacy, aggressively market your human judgment. To master that strategy and get direct help with your search, go to jobsearch.community. You can become an insider, get personalized [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and access a massive library of video courses and guides. And if you found this helpful, please share, comment, like, and follow so we can help others do the same. ***[5 Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Common Job Interview Mistakes***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n5f) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** How to prove your value when AI can do your job --- ### [Taking a Career Sabbatical? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/taking-a-career-sabbatical-shorts/) **Published:** August 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here's a mistake people make when they take time off. **Content:** # Taking a Career Sabbatical? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/3pXRkmWGk74) Here’s a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make when they take time off. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** LinkedIn, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Taking a career sabbatical? --- ### [Should I Follow Up? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-shorts/) **Published:** August 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I've found this to be true many times . . .and there's no harm if you do it differently. **Content:** # Should I Follow Up? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[If there is a problem with the video, click here](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ljk)*** I’ve found this to be true many times . . .and there’s no harm if you do it differently. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the former host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a back link is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a back link to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Follow Up, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Should I Follow Up? --- ### [Three Cover Letter Rules](https://thebiggamehunter.us/three-cover-letter-rules-job-search-radio/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Content:** # Three Cover Letter Rules **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses three rules for [writing cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) you must employ. [***Master the Cover Letter: Smart Strategies to Craft a Powerful Cover Letter Win More Interviews and Land a Dream Job In an AI Era***](https://amzn.to/4pSfTsK) Now, I see [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) all the time, and first of all, people foolishly send them as a separate attachment. No one is ever going to open a separate attachment. They’re going to go right to the one that looks like it’s going to be a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Next, they make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of going, “Dear Human Resources Manager,” or “Dear [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/),” or some generic intro like that. Don’t do that. Number one: Put your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) into the body of an email so there’s no attachment necessary. Number two: Don’t address anyone. You know, once you’re sending “Dear So-and-So,” and you don’t know who it is, and you’re using this generic intro, it gives the impression like this is a form letter. Don’t do it. Third: Three paragraphs. First one is an intro—why you’re sending this. The second one is to lay out what it is about your background that you think fits what they’re looking for. Third, you do a closing. Closing should be something along the lines of when you’re going to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/). So, “If I don’t hear from you, I’d like to give you a call day after tomorrow to see if you might be interested in scheduling an appointment.” Real simple. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this video helpful. If you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button—do something that lets people know it was worthwhile. Then go over to TheBigGameHunter.us and go exploring, ’cause I’ve got a ton of great content there that’ll help you find work more quickly. You can watch it, listen to it, read it—content galore. Again, go over to TheBigGameHunter.us. Final things: First of all, if we’re not already connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request. My page is [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). I accept connection requests from people worldwide, except if you’re a third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or in a country known for spam. Next, if your current firm’s trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at the address below, let me know who to contact, and whether I should mention your name. I’d love to help your firm staff positions. And finally, I’ve got an audio file that’s available to help you prepare for your next phone interview—Winning Phone [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). It’s available on my website. Have a great day! ***[The No BS 10-Minute Resume Checklist: Stop Letting AI and 6-Second Recruiter Scans Kill Your Job Search](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H7Z529NT)*** [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* ​ **Categories:** Cover Letters, Text **Tags:** cover letter advice, cover letter tips, cover letters, Three Cover Letter Rules --- ### [Why You Put Contact Info on Your Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this video, Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter explains the importance of putting contact information on your resume. **Content:** # Why You Put Contact Info on Your Resume **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), explains the importance of putting contact information on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). ***[Unlocking Your Job Search with Simple Hacks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lMk)*** There’s been an annoying trend in [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) writing that people have been using. I want to see if I can help put an end to it. It’s the absence of an address, city, state, zip code, just a name. And sometimes it’s only a first name and first initial of a last name and a phone number. Let me just start by saying your location and your phone number, particularly if it’s a mobile number, may not correlate to where you are. So you need to include the city and state and zip code, even if you don’t want to provide an address. Now, I understand some people have a security issue about giving out their address. I got it. But city, state and zip code should be essential for you. Let me explain why. Number one is it’ll help correlate with the phone number. Okay, not everyone wants that correlation. I don’t know why, but from the standpoint of us doing recruiting and [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) doing [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) that are parsing data into [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), it allows us to go back and search for you because the primary search criteria is not your area code. It’s your zip code. It’s helpful for us to know where you are. The other thing is if you don’t put your last name on, frankly, well, I understand that you’re concerned that someone may mispronounce your name. [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) It’s an expression and runs the risk of, oh, this person has a bias against people from my nationality. They won’t call. I want to let you in on a secret. Putting your first initial of your last name triggers lots of other biases. And we all know that you’re from a nation of origin with long last names that are unpronounceable. Unpronounceable. So, you know, when all is said and done, no matter how you do it, you trigger the bias. So, it just helps us if we have your full name. It helps you if, minimally, your city, state and zip code is there, as well as the phone number for contact. Not including this is going to hurt you, not just simply in this search, but in many searches to come because, you know, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are out there trying to find people to fill [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Not just simply when you’re looking, but in the future when you might be [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) where you are and you get a knock on the door with an opportunity that’s even better than the one that you have. So, don’t handicap yourself from being alerted to opportunities because you haven’t provided that city, state, zip code information. Now, if you move, it doesn’t matter. You’ll get the first contact from someone who’s reaching out to you about a position in the wrong area. In the future, you just let them know where you are and what city, state and zip code you’re in now and they’ll update it in their system and be able to contact you about appropriate things. But when all is said and done, contact information on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and a full name is critical for your [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). I hope you enjoyed today’s show. And if you did, subscribe in iTunes, Stitcher or whatever service you listen to the show on. And then from there, give it a great review, five stars, a great comment in iTunes or Stitcher. It does help other people discover the show, helps us with rankings, things along those lines. So, No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio will be back tomorrow with more advice to help you. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit me at JobSearchCoachingHQ.com. Come join me there. I look forward to helping you. Have a great day. Take care. ## [***Don’t Forget to Negotiate This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gHx) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***“Stupid Salary Negotiation Mistakes: Being Too Grateful”***](https://youtu.be/7IYQOBOPBQw) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 2900 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. [***The Top 10 Salary Negotiation Mistakes***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ekN) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***How Can They Catch You Bluffing?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4GO) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** Contact information, Putting contact information on, The importance of putting cont, Why You Put Contact Info on Your Resume --- ### [What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: The Market for Your Experience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-that-you-dont-the-market-for-your-experience/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Your manager may be gaslighting you when they tell you about the great experience you'll be learning. **Content:** # What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: The Market for Your Experience #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[*Click here if the video does not play properly.*](https://youtube.com/shorts/-YzXJklPIfY)*** Your manager may be gaslighting you when they tell you about the great experience you’ll be learning. ## [***Things That Immediately Ruin a First Impression***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-liA) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.* **Categories:** Recruiters, #Shorts **Tags:** What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: The Market for Your Experience --- ### [Are You Making These Common Video Interview Mistakes?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/are-you-making-these-common-video-interview-mistakes/) **Published:** August 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to command respect and secure the next round, you have to audit your setup and eliminate these common video interview mistakes. **Content:** # Are You Making These Common Video Interview Mistakes? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The shift toward remote and hybrid [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) has transformed the standard initial screening. The days of traveling to an office for a preliminary face-to-face conversation are largely over. Instead, your first interaction with a prospective employer almost certainly happens through a camera lens. Yet, despite years of virtual meetings, the vast majority of professionals treat video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) like casual web chats. They assume that because they are sitting in their own home, the stakes are lower. This is a dangerous misconception. In a traditional office setting, minor technical glitches or subtle non-verbal cues are smoothed over by ambient human [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). On a screen, every flaw is magnified. Lighting issues, poor audio, [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) drift, and uncalibrated setups actively erode your professional authority before you answer a single technical question. If you want to command respect and secure the next round, you have to audit your setup and eliminate these common video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). ### 1. Miscalculating Your Visual Eye Contact This is the single most pervasive psychological [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) in virtual [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). When humans communicate in person, we look each other in the eye to establish trust, [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), and engagement. In a video environment, if your camera is set far away from the software window, looking at the person’s face on your monitor means you appear to be looking down, to the side, or completely checking out. However, if your monitor and laptop are positioned correctly—with the video window shrunken and placed directly below the camera lens—looking at the actual person on screen can feel natural and keep your facial expressions authentic. The Fix:** Don’t guess where your eyes are landing. Test your setup beforehand by recording a practice conversation with a friend or colleague. Ask them directly for [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/): *“Does it feel like I’m looking at you, or does it feel like I’m looking away?”* Adjust the position of your video window until your gaze feels natural and connected to the person on the receiving end. ### 2. Treating Audio as an Afterthought Poor video quality is annoying; poor audio quality is deal-breaking. If an interviewer has to strain to hear your answers, deals with room echo, or endures harsh digital distortion, mental fatigue sets in within two minutes. Built-in laptop microphones are notorious for picking up keystrokes, computer fan noise, and ambient room reverberation. The Fix:** Never rely on built-in laptop speakers and microphones. Invest in a dedicated USB microphone or a quality wired headset with an inline mic. Test your audio environment in advance. If your room has hard surfaces that echo, throw down a rug or place blankets behind your camera setup to absorb sound reflection. ### 3. The “Low-Angle Hostage Video” Setup Few things diminish your professional posture faster than bad camera geometry and poor lighting. Placing a laptop flat on a desk forces the camera to look up your nostrils, slanting your frame awkwardly and tilting your head down. Combine that with a bright window behind you, and you become a dark, shadowed silhouette against a blinding background. **The Fix:** - Elevate the Camera:** [Raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) your laptop or external webcam using a stand or a stack of books until the lens is precisely at eye level. - Control Your Light:** Never sit with your main light source behind you. Position your desk facing a window, or place a soft lamp directly behind your monitor to illuminate your face evenly. ### 4. Over-Relying on On-Screen Cheat Sheets It is tempting to paste digital sticky notes, open your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), or keep company [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) notes open across your screen during an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). However, when you read off a screen, your eyes dart rhythmically from left to right. Your vocal cadence flattens into a monotone reading voice, and your natural conversational warmth vanishes. Interviewers spot this immediately, and it signals a lack of preparation or genuine fluency in your own background. The Fix:** If you must use notes, restrict them to three core bullet points on a single physical sticky note placed directly next to your camera lens. If you know your background, your core execution metrics, and your key strategic stories, you do not need a script. Talk *with* them, not *at* them. ### 5. Failing to Master Asynchronous Screening Tools More companies now use automated, one-way video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) platforms (like HireVue or Spark [Hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)) for preliminary screenings. You are presented with a prompt on screen and given two minutes to record a response—with no human being on the other side. Most people freeze, speak too quickly, or panic under the ticking digital timer. The Fix:** Treat one-way video prompts like structured executive briefings. Use the brief preparation window to format your answer using a tight structure: **Context, Action, Metric. Speak at a deliberate, measured pace, and do not fill silent pauses with verbal hesitation. ### The Bottom Line A video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is not a casual chat; it is a broadcast production where you are the producer, talent, and technical director. When you fix your framing, dial in your audio, control your environment, and calibrate your gaze, you do more than just answer questions well. You signal high professional standards, technological literacy, and respect for the interviewer’s time. Clear the friction, own the medium, and force the screen to work in your favor. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[The Fable of The Monkey and The Fisherman](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8aY)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Video Interviewing, Text **Tags:** Are You Making These Common Video Interview Mistakes? --- ### [Beat the LinkedIn Black Hole](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-the-linkedin-black-hole/) **Published:** August 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop wasting time sending perfect resumes that get instantly disqualified over simple semantics; this is the tweak you need to fix it. **Content:** # Beat the LinkedIn Black Hole **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You aren’t imagining things—your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) are disappearing into a complete black hole. The truth is, a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) probably never even saw your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because a rigid, automated [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) gatekeeper rejected it before it reached their desk. Stop wasting time sending perfect [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) that get instantly disqualified over simple semantics; this is the tweak you need to fix it. All right, let’s talk about something we’ve all felt. You sent a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) into what feels like a total black hole. You’re not alone, I promise. In this explainer, we’re going to pull back the curtain on a really surprising reason why even the most qualified people are getting rejected right away. And here’s the kicker: it has nothing to do with your actual experience. So let’s dive in. Okay, picture this. You’re scrolling, and there it is: the perfect job. I mean, the description feels like it was written just for you. You hit submit, you’re feeling good, and then, crickets. Just total silence. It is so frustrating, and it happens all of the time. But here’s a thought: what if the real question isn’t “What did I do wrong?”, but who, or maybe what, is even looking at my [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) in the first place? Well, it turns out the answer might be: you didn’t do anything wrong, at all. In fact, there’s a really good chance a human being never even saw your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Yeah, you heard that right. There’s a new gatekeeper at the door, and this one, it’s completely automated. So what is this thing? It’s called a Front-End [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Evaluation. Think of it like a digital bouncer for your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Its only job is to do a super quick, really basic check, and decide who gets in and who doesn’t. And this all happens way before a real person, a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), ever even sees your name. And this right here is the absolutely crucial part. This [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) isn’t some helpful assistant sorting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) for a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Nope, it’s a literal wall between you and the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). It’s making the very first cut. And that means if you don’t pass its very specific, very simple test, your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) journey is over, bam, right there. Okay, so what is this test? What’s the secret password to get past the robot? Well, this is where it gets fascinating, because this new [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) system, it has a surprisingly simple, but totally critical flaw—one that can trip up even the most qualified people out there. Ready for it? Here it is: the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is completely literal. It doesn’t get nuance. It doesn’t understand context. And it definitely doesn’t know that different job titles can mean the exact same thing. It is not looking for the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) candidate; it’s just looking for a perfect exact match. Let’s look at a real-world example of how this works—or, you know, doesn’t work. A company posts a job for a business analyst. Simple enough. You, you’re a senior business analyst. You’re obviously qualified, right? Maybe even overqualified. But to this [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), that word “senior” is just an error. It’s an extra word it wasn’t told to look for. And the result? Rejected, instantly. No human ever sees it. So how do you get past this thing? It’s not about having more experience; it’s about being an exact copy. If the job ad says “Business Analyst”, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) has to say “Business Analyst”. Period. It’s that simple, and it’s that rigid. That’s the one that gets accepted. All right, so now that we know the problem, how do we actually beat this digital gatekeeper? The good news is you don’t have to rewrite your entire [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Whew! It’s really just about making one tiny, strategic change to sneak right past that [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) filter. And the process is so, so simple. Seriously, it’s just three steps. First, and this is key, you’ve got to find the exact job title they use in the posting. Step two: just open up your resume—takes two seconds. And finally, step three: you’re going to change your most recent job title to match the one in the ad, perfectly, word for word. So yeah, if you’re a senior business analyst, just for this one [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), you’re a business analyst now. So let’s just nail this down. What’s the big takeaway here? Number one: LinkedIn’s [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is a totally literal filter. It’s not smart; it’s just a filter. Number two: It needs an exact job title match, no exceptions. Any little variation, like adding “senior” or some other synonym, can get you tossed out. Which leads to the most important point: You have to tweak your job title for every single [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). I know, I know. It feels a little weird, right? Like you’re dumming down your own title. But you have to remember who you’re doing this for. This little change isn’t for the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager—they’ll see your full experience later. This is just for the robot. And making this one tiny adjustment could be the thing that makes the difference between hearing nothing and actually getting that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And all of this really leaves us with a pretty big question about the future of [finding a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/), doesn’t it? As these AIs get more and more involved in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), what’s actually going to matter more: having a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that’s a totally accurate, honest picture of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), or having one that’s just perfectly compliant with the rules of the machine? It’s definitely something to think about. ***[The Fable of The Monkey and The Fisherman](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8aY)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn **Tags:** Beat the LinkedIn Black Hole --- ### [Careers in an Industry That is Mistakenly Ignored](https://thebiggamehunter.us/careers-in-an-industry-that-is-mistakenly-ignored/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Not everyone should be doing software development work, accounting or other forms of office work. Here's another option. **Content:** # Careers in an Industry That is Mistakenly Ignored **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Not everyone should be doing software development work, accounting, or other forms of office work. Here’s another option. This is a particularly good show for parents and grandparents. This was recorded in 2020 and the advice remain the same. As many of you know I like to spend time with individuals who are experts in things that I may not be quite as [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) at because as much as I know I don’t know everything. And I’ve got an interesting guest tonight Terry Iverson the book is called finding America’s greatest champion I’m just gonna hold that up there for a second and this is gonna be a topic that I’ve been interested in for a while I’m not going to go into the reasons for it but pay attention to this one especially if you’ve got kids or grandkids I think this is one that’ll make a lot of sense for you Terry welcome to the show great to have you on board hi Jeff it’s great to be on your show thanks for having me my pleasure could you introduce yourself to everyone give them a sense of what’s your background his line okay I grew up in initially in Chicago and moved to Florida where I spent most of my youth and my family has a manufacturing background since the 1920s and after bouncing around with different things I thought I wanted to do one of which engineering school I decided to join the family business and machine tool distribution and thus join the family business I have a hunch that there’s more to that [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) history Oh much more I started in 1980 and it’s been 40 years now I’m on my fortieth year we sell machine tools and we also rebuild machine tools and I’ve been very fascinated and fortunate to call on some of the most exciting manufacturing installations in the country now we’re recording this in June 2020 and we’re at a time where 40 million people are out of work and there’s a whole crew of students that are coming into the workforce and although the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) report is issued today was better than expected with plus two and a half million rather than all the down numbers that we’ve been saying for months you’re in a field that have worked in a field that isn’t exactly seen has been one of those glamour fields and that smile just says it all so I’m wondering with manufacturing being and by the way folks these subtitles of the book is building prosperity from manufacturing mentoring and the awesome responsibility of parenting I can’t wait to pull all this together you know what’s the message that you’re carrying to people what’s important for people why should they spend pay attention to manufacturing [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) at this stage well manufacturing is in our country’s DNA manufacturing has been a big part of our middle class and and has fueled our middle class for decades since going way back but manufacturing is important and what people don’t understand is they have a misperception of what it actually is what the reality is it’s very technologically savvy it’s very computerized it’s becoming more and more automated and the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) news is the paying [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) are very well I think really now when you say it’s computerized I know people are not doing software development when they’re working in manufacturing so that part of the glamor doesn’t exist but are they the guys and t-shirts and getting dirty all day like I think that’s the image than most people have of what it’s like to work in manufacturing and thus when they look at their kids they were not not for that well they’re very JEP they’re very exciting [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and when I talk about computerization there’s programming on the machine and on the shop floor and there’s also programming in the CAD office and and I’m computer so it’s it’s the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of both worlds so they’re using technology as part of the work like what you said use the CAD office and a computer and computer-aided design correct just making sure so using the technology and how are they using that technology I’m curious well it used to be back in the day when I first started you know there weren’t as many computerized machines which is a terminology called CNC job there was a lot of manual machines and a lot of the the skill was in the actual operator and so you know every machine had a different operator with a different skill level and now with computerization you can program the Machine and you can let the Machine do you know the heavy lifting so to speak as far as the process and it’s it’s made it a lot cleaner environment it’s made it a lot more professional and it’s it’s exciting and challenging positions thus what does the person tend to do day to day as part of their work using these machines well there’s so many different positions that in [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) that are in manufacturing some are inspection related some are loading the machines operating the machines some are programming and setting up the machines once again some you’re in the CAD office doing the the print work and the cam work as far as generating code for the machines but you know there’s a lot of different different [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and a lot of different spots to fill but there’s a big void in the skills that we’re talking about not because people make a conscious decision it’s because people just don’t know they even exist or that they can be paid well to be in those in those [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) I’m gonna say this in a flipped kind of way you said it’s part of America’s DNA I think most people tend to think of as being in China’s DNA and not an America thing anymore and I suspect there will be a move toward bringing back [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) so the u.s. although as I talked to some people I also hear that there’s there’s a move to removing some of those China [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) to other low-cost areas rather than the US but that’s a different conversation there’s always going to be a need for manufacturing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in the u.s. some not gonna get outsourced at all yeah I think to your point I think one thing that we’ve learned through this pandemic is that you know there’s certain things that you really can’t rely on other economies to fulfill in within our own country you know we got kind of cut short on some of the protective PPE equipment during this and some of the the drugs that we need for this pandemic those things you know we should have had better access within our own borders and it was interesting and folks if you’re watching this two years from now I know this is ancient history but you’ll get the point it would seem as though a lot of nation states have regulations that basically allow them to interrupt the supply chain and say mine the first mine I know you bought it it’s your equipment but it’s mine you can’t export it and that seems to be what had happened with China left right mister so you mentioned a number of different types of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) and if we were looking at like a hierarchy because I think most people tend to think in terms of hierarchies for the levels of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) where there are relatively general positions like I’ll use technology for example there is a developer or an administrator systems administrator and then there’s a intermediate and a senior and then you could person becomes a manager a director a VP if there’s that kind of a hierarchy of progression within the roles I know they have no clue about in manufacturing how does it work there you know when people join a manufacturing firm of some sort even think you know use your firm as an example or any other organization for that matter what sort of hierarchy exists with some of those categories that you mentioned well in manufacturing one of the things that’s a current model is there’s a lot of internships where people and companies will bring in many times young people for an internship maybe during their education and they’ll you know do some of the lower of responsibility tasks within the organization and say for example well yeah I’m sorry wasn’t you know one of the things like in in a CAD office you may be working on a CAD system and just doing some basic print modifications or drawing out on the shop floor you know you may be you know preparing bar stock or possibly you know changing inserts and I on a particular job or setup you might be you know you might even be doing some you know logistics or cleaning or sometimes ordering material you can that’s a pretty easy task to get started but the more skill level you have in manufacturing like many other professions the more valuable you become and your pay is is compensation is accordingly adjusted up as your skill level goes as well that’s cool so when people break into the field of these working [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) like in every other profession they’re not paid dramatically well what kind of entry-level salaries exist and what sort of [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) progression exists within manufacturing great question it’s very common for young people you know they may come in just over minimum wage when they know nothing but what you’ll find in manufacturing is your progression is way more accelerated as you gain skills than other professions one of the things I talk about in a [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) quite a bit Jeff is that in manufacturing the average wage with benefits is around $82,000 now when you say average wage you gotta remember you have beginners and then you have forty year you know tenured people so when you take that all into account you know an average wage with benefits of 82,000 is very good bang yes it is especially given the fact that these are people who have not had to spend however many hundred thousand dollars a year on a college education and they haven’t had all that student loan that hanging over their heads all these years that basically are going you know their higher paying [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) so much of it is going off to pay off debt yeah I mean good question one of the things I point out in the book is I I do a 12 year model and a four year five year college degree graduate and a twelve year model of a two year vocational type degree graduate and I take the cost of the education and in the thought of paying it back in the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) when you come out and when it at the end of 12 years the college graduate four or five year college graduate because of the cost they’re at about I believe a negative 120 thousand cash negative and the other 2-year vocational degree individual paid back paying back the education cost is 90 thousand cash positive here’s a quarter million dollar difference almost we were [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) located well–there’s manufacturing hubs all throughout the country so you know there’s a lot of people drive by industrial parks every day all day within their communities they just don’t know what’s inside the four walls and thus those buildings aren’t just simply tech hubs or office places may that may involve manufacturing positions as well they do they do and the bulk of manufacturing in our country are small companies small businesses they may have between five and maybe 50 people there is a lot of manufacturing and large organizations the Boeing’s of the world and other companies that are very large caterpillar but that being said there’s a lot of job shops and there’s a lot of smaller companies that make products for the bigger companies and so there’s a lot more opportunities than just the big corporations and it’s interesting from my time in a search you know because I was a headhunter for many years like 40 and I was part of a network of recruiting firms that were kind of subdivided into areas of expertise and my background was primarily IT record and there was another group that I spent a little time with I even spoke to the group on one occasion that was focused in on manufacturer and the bulk of the work ruse in this network worth hearing but the ones that were making the money were the manufacturer very – and it was interesting to me because I spent some time talking with the folks in that field and I said there’s a lot of redundancy lumber tendency there’s just a lot of people who were in IT recruiting and there are a lot of IT professionals but no-one’s going into manufacturing so the clearly labor shortages and those folks if you’re not [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) in your job if you’re not being treated well if you think you’re underpaid there’s usually someone down the block or in a place in the country where you want to live that might be interested in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) is there are labor shortages I think in the book what was the age that you said the average manufacturing worker is oh it’s well into Jeff it’s well into the 50s I mean that’s one of the the biggest misnomers about manufacturing besides what people perceive it to be is that we have people my age that are you know near the end of their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) they’ve been in at 40 plus years and we want to pass on our tribal knowledge to the next generation and so there’s the baby boomer generation is now graduating – towards retirement and there’s there’s there’s a gap not there’s a skills gap but there’s an age gap where there’s a whole generation or generation and a half or two that was skipped and so you have the younger people that are really getting advanced like almost fast-track to management because you know they’re leapfrogging over an entire generation that isn’t there this thing and I’m gonna hit a subject here and deal with a stereotype the stereotype side tends to be that manufacturing is a bunch of old white guys well there’s there some truth to that and so and so consequently you know there’s there’s not enough women in our industry there’s a huge opportunity for them to be honest there’s not enough people of color in our industry and there’s a huge opportunity for them as well and so I challenged the manufacturing sector to be a little bit you know proactive and think differently and tried you know to appeal to it to a different audience than what we’ve tried in the past fabulous what kind of [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) do people get when they move into the field you know what’s it like during that first I how long does the [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) last oh wow the [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) the [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) is a lifelong lessons I’m still learning and being trained in many facets yeah but you’re on your way out you don’t count anymore I don’t count anymore I don’t but now as far as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) you know there’s there’s all sorts of online [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) which is I’m really excited to say SME that has what they call tooling University what was the name of that again totally new University is owned by Society of manufacturing engineering and they’ve done a really they acquired tooling University and there’s a lot of really cool classes on there yeah the other thing that I try to talk about Jeff is that there’s a young man named John Saunders that has a YouTube channel called NYC CNC and he learned he taught himself how to be a manufacturer and he puts out YouTube videos to help train people just like he learned wow that’s fabulous could you state the name of that YouTube channel again it’s NYC C&C is the is the YouTube channel and there’s a lot of information you know he taught himself to be a manufacturer and he’s interviewed in the book and then there’s also Titan Gilroy and Titan Titan C&C he has a series of classes online that you can learn about manufacturing and a lot of this some of us is chart you know on a charge basis and some of this is free fabulous now I know you you sort of helped start champion now could you tell people about champion now what his mission is and what it sets out to accomplish place well I got so involved probably 25 years ago into technical education with high schools and community colleges and you know I had a lot of boards I sat on with you know education foundations both locally and nationally and so whenever having said that I just didn’t feel that talking to one high school or Community College student or a class at a time was adequate so I was on my way to Washington DC on a board that I that I sat on and and I wanted to change perceptions I wanted to change manufacturing perceptions well that’s an acronym champion Alice is change how American manufacturing is perceived in our nation and so it’s it’s kind of a cool acronym manufacturing doesn’t have a lot of real you know high polished you know icons or perceptions or images so the name fits as well and the now is the call to action but the main focus and mission is to really change perceptions and let people know that manufacturing is a cool place to be and and that you know they can make a lot of money the one thing I haven’t said that I should say is on the NAMM website then the National Association of Manufacturers the manufacturing Institute says that there’s around six hundred thousand manufacturing skilled positions that go unfilled every year and then the next ten years there’s probably two and a half million positions that will go unfilled in our industry in this country Wow unless there’s a huge opportunity that is ignored weirdoes we’re working businesses where do nonprofits find that next generation of people like if someone’s watching this video and decides hey I want to get into manufacturing like what do they do but what’s the next step for them well it depends on and where they’re coming from and what age bracket they’re in but there’s a lot of different ways I write about Project Lead the Way I interviewed Vince Bertram who’s the president Project Lead the Way is project-based learning that’s going into the high schools all around the country so you can go to their website and you can see what high schools are in your area that have Project Lead the Way there’s a lot of community colleges and there’s a lot of associations that have technical CTE is the actual name [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and technical education so you can go to the CTE site and find out you know what community colleges have manufacturing classes and there’s so there’s a number of ways you can learn about it but one of the big things that I have to point out is there’s an organization called manufacturing day and so if you’re a parent or if you’re a student or even somebody that’s older and you want to learn more every October early October manufacturers all over the country open up their doors and invite people in to see what today’s manufacturing looks like and it’s been going on for about six seven years and initially started with the FMA which is the fabricators and manufacturers association but now named conducts it in administrates it was fabricated fabricating there’s there’s metal cutting and there’s fabricating and the nurse additive manufacturing metal cutting is actually taking metal away from a piece of bar stock fabricating is bending a piece of sheet metal and then additive manufacturing is 3d printing so in a general scope definition of things those are three of the major ways you can you can actually manufacture something fabulous so let me in that and that answer you’ve been talking about for younger individuals let’s say someone’s in their thirties they’ve been a welder for example and they realized this isn’t for me maybe manufacturing is it what do they do well my advice first of all welders do very well they get paid very well so if they decide the welding is not for them it’s not for the pay it’s probably because it’s not challenging maybe or it’s too redundant for them but with that skill set that skill set and that attention to detail in mechanical aptitude can can be parlayed into other different manufacturing very easily so you know whether it be going and looking for a job board or going to Community College there’s all sorts of ways that someone that’s in welding that can conduct a back into manufacturing very easily in my opinion then we’ve been talking about the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) of manufacturing but the subtitle of your book talks about mentoring and the awesome responsibilities of parenting now you give the most words the parenting so I’m gonna go there next what is that responsibility in parenting that you’re trying to get across well I’m I’m glad so it’s really important to me Jeff so I’m really glad you asked about that as well I think parenting is the most precious responsibility on earth and those of us that are parents we have a tough job to do and and an important job to do but you know life goes in a lot of different directions at full speed and so you have two parents working and they’re both trying to fit in there their job and you know parents at the same time sometimes you have single parents whether it be a mom or a dad and so they have challenges as well but then you also have the guilt of raising a child and knowing that you’re not spending the time you want to spend with them because you have to you know you have to earn income to pay for the family so too many times what I’ve seen and I used to coach travel soccer so I interacted with a lot of parents and a lot of young people for two or three decades and so what I would see is parents would make decisions that instead of holding their child accountable they would try to be their child’s [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend Jeff I was raised old school and I parented old school and I believe in that and you know child children need to learn lessons and become better citizens and better adults as a result of those lessons so rather than parenting out of guilt you know do the difficult you know task of making the decisions of how to you know hold your child accountable both good and bad so that they learn and they become the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) that they can be it’s funny – my son is 19 as we’re recording this and he graduated high school he said I’m not going to college now and it was interesting to see what he had learned from me just by watching and one of the things he learned was show up early for work work a little late it’s putting the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) effort I noticed this just as he would talk about his job and some of the things that went on there like if he was supposed to be there at 8:30 he was there at 7:45 you know breakfast in hand keying into the building to be able to get in if he was supposed to leave that 6:30 he was generally leaving at 7:00 and it’s sweet stuff that he picked up for me I feel guilty about I’ve something to do a workaholic at 19 but it’s the right attitude and I know so much of the culture that we have even with phrases like take it easy that we habitually say is designed to curtail Drive rather than encourage drive the [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) so I understand that message about I don’t want to call it old-school per se because the old-school also had involved with it that I know you’re not talking about that’s the first thing that came to my mind of course was the old-school 1950s oh yeah take out the belt uh and not talking about that yeah I know I know and then the part is mentoring that’s the other part of your title it is he’s doing the mentoring who’s receiving the mentor well the the example that I made with single parents I was raised by my mom single parent in down in Florida and I was very blessed I was very blessed that I had coaches I had teachers I had family friends you know they looked out for me and mentored me and as I grew and got into the working world I had co-workers and supervisors that mentored me I went into a family business so I was very fortunate that my dad and my two uncles also mentored me so with the world and with the different challenges that young people have and with the challenges parents have that I just alluded to you know mentoring is a huge huge need to supplement you know maybe what parents you know can’t fill in all the blanks so I think those of us that you know are you know in our latter years I think all of us acknowledge that we’re very fortunate to have been mentored by Peart some very special people I agree and and one of the things I’ve kind of keyed in on for myself is the notion of what an elder is supposed to be like in our culture and I know culturally older people are pushed out now we don’t listen to them they’ll you know we don’t pay attention to them they think old school and there’s a lot of wisdom folks that you’re missing out on if you don’t ask the questions of people who were looking there ahead of you it doesn’t mean you always have to take their advice but it’s useful to listen to it because the places you’re getting the advice from may not know any more than you do but they say it’s in a convincing way well I think one other point Jeff I’d like to point out is this in the workforce there’s a there’s a concept called reverse mentoring and that is you know those of us that have been around around that we have a lot of the knowledge tribal knowledge that we want to pass on and let’s let’s just say for example in manufacturing but we don’t know the technology always like we should and here we have this next generation they’ve forgotten more than that we’ll ever know about technology so there’s an opportunity for the the elder to mentor the young person but also a great opportunity the young person to reverse mentor the elder so it’s a it’s a win-win for everybody and I know in a lot of a lot of instances with people that I coach they talk with me about the institutional mentor that they have and how they spend a lot of time mentoring that person it’s really interesting to hear that part of it but in terms of [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and manufacturing this is a really sweet book and really like it really lays out a good case how can people find out more about America’s greatest champion building prosperity through manufacturing mentoring and the awesome responsibilities of parenting how can they find out more well the most information that’s out there is on champion now you know champion with an end at the end and then and again now.org and I have a whole litany of information about the book about different articles I’ve written different [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) it is also available on Amazon it’s also an audible on an audible book and it’s also an e-book on those different platforms so and you know the ones on champion now I can you know I have a hardcover that’s only available through champion cool and folks I’ll have a link to the two champion now org to the page on Amazon where it’s sold I am told that is less expensive on champion now org than on Amazon I I have the link that I’m podcast and your podcast especially that they can save 30% on by going to a certain link yes and I’ll have that link in the show notes folks Terry thank you this has been really interesting Jeff this has been awesome and I appreciate you including me and I’m honored and privileged and very excited to be on your on your show thank you and folks I’ll be back soon with more I’m Jeff Alton [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) visit my web site [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) dot yes I’ve got thousands of posts that’ll help you in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) with [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively managing and leading dealing with workplace related issues again [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) owed on us if you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) at the site there’s a button that says schedule where you can schedule time for a free discovery call or schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) I’d love to help you and they also want to mention subscribe to the channel you do click the small icon that will be in the lower right of the picture of me in the upper left and you’ll be subscribed and get notices whenever I release something new and by the way you can watch me on TV I know I have an announcement in the next week about another way of watching on TV but for now if you have a fire TV a fire stick download the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) TV app on Apple TV Roku like 90 some odd different sets download binge networks dot TV and watch me there but [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) TV is going to be available for that of those platforms again very soon hope you have a terrific day and be great take care **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with more than 1800 episodes and “The No BS [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) Advice Podcast” and is a former member of The Forbes Coaches Council. “No BS JobSearch Advice Radio” was named a Top 10 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). JobSearchTV.com is also a Top 10 YouTube channel for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) If you have a quick question for me, you can get it answered with a 3-5 minute video at [https://www.wisio.com/TheBigGameHunter](). [Want to do it live](https://thebiggamehunter.us/MeetMe)? [JobSearchCoachingHQ.com](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/JobSearchCoachingHQ) offers great advice for job hunters—videos, my books and guides to job hunting, podcasts, articles, PLUS a community for you to ask questions of PLUS the ability to ask me questions where I function as your ally with no conflict of interest ![JobSearchTV.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Banner-1-300x112.jpg)JobSearchTV.comanswering your questions. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). Join and attend my classes on Skillshare. [Become a premium member and get 2 months free.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Skillshare) ![JeffAltman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)JeffAltman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)Watch my videos on YouTube at JobSearchTV.com, the Job SearchTV app for FireTV or BingeNetworks.tv for AppleTV, Roku and 90 other devices [Join Career Angles on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/careerangles/) and receive support, ideas and advice in your current [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and job. You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** Careers **Tags:** careers in manufacturing, jobs in manufacturing, manufacturing, manufacturing jobs, Terry Iverson --- ### [Don’t Make The Mistake I Made](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-make-the-mistake-i-made-career-angles-shorts/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Everyone makes mistakes. I make mistakes and you make mistakes. This is one mistake I made that I hope you don't. **Content:** # Don’t Make The Mistake I Made **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/P0SjeSIkvbw) Everyone makes [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). I make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and you make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). This is one [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) I made that I hope you don’t. ***[The Fable of The Monkey and The Fisherman](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8aY)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles **Tags:** being treated badly at work, being treated like crap at work, Being treated poorly at work, career advice, career guidance, Career mistakes, Don't make the mistake I made, Letting yourself be treated badly, Letting yourself be treated like crap, Letting yourself be treated poorly, Stupid career mistakes --- ### [Your Career Doesn’t Have to End #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You are in charge of your career. **Content:** # Your Career Doesn’t Have to End **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/AF-2a6RzXSM) You are in charge of your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Planning, #Shorts, Over 50 **Tags:** Your Career Doesn’t Have to End --- ### [Using a Negotiating Framework to Get What You Want](https://thebiggamehunter.us/using-a-negotiating-framework-to-get-what-you-want/) **Published:** August 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** My guest,Brandon Bramley, and I discuss his salary negotiation framework and much more related to negotiating. **Content:** # Using a Negotiating Framework to Get What You Want **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ## Using a Negotiating Framework to Get What You Want **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Most people are clueless about how to #negotiate My guest is Brandon Bramley, The founder of The [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Negotiator. We discuss his [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation framework and much more related to negotiating. [ ***The Easiest Way to Negotiate a Higher Salary for Yourself***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-pH) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Terrific. So, my guest today is Brandon Bramley, who’s the founder of the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiator. Brandon has a background was strategic negotiations from having worked in many procurement and vendor management roles at a few large firms, including Amazon and American Airlines, where he did million-dollar multimillion dollar b2b negotiations, and also recruited and hired many [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) professionals. He also has more than 10 years of experience, negotiating salaries and currently runs, I love this name, the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiator, where he provides professional job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and [salary negotiation coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/salary-negotiation-help/) to help individuals navigate a negotiation process confidently and earn higher compensation. Brandon, welcome. Thanks for making time today. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, thank you, Jeff. I’m excited to be here. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** We’ll see about that by the end of the conversation. **Brandon Bramley** Absolutely. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, there are obviously many different ways to navigate a job over negotiation and we may look at things differently because we come from different backgrounds. But I want to understand the negotiation framework you follow with your firm. So, walk us through this process and maybe along the way, I’ll start with clarifying questions, okay? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, absolutely. We’re both coaches in this space. So, I’m excited to hear your input as well. But at the [salary negotiator](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-salary-negotiation-begins-where/), I personally negotiated hundreds of salaries for different clients, with all types of companies, whether it’s Google, Facebook, Amazon, or smaller startups and what we’ve done is we’ve identified essentially a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and negotiation framework. So, essentially five key steps that we follow, to make sure that we have a higher probability of [success in salary negotiations](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mindset-shifts-for-a-successful-salary-negotiation/), that essentially anyone can follow themselves, whether they work with us, or they actually do the negotiation themselves. So, the first [step is actually understanding the components of your job offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-i-choose-6-steps-to-choosing-between-job-offers/) especially, as you start to look at different companies, you increase your kind of breadth, as well as getting promotions and your skill set. Your compensation is gonna get a little bit more complicated. So, rather than maybe just getting a base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), now you’re getting a bonus, possibly [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), maybe a sign on bonus, and some other packages that are included, that need to be looked at that way you understand exactly what your monetary take home pay is at the end of the day. So, you know how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) that up. The last thing you want to do, just…. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** I want to interrupt you here for a second. I just want to be clear for the audience. We’re not talking about the part of the negotiation that takes place during the [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) process because as we both know, on their side, they’re negotiating during the [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). For [Job Hunters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-negotiating-mistakes-too-many-job-hunters-make-nobsjobsearchadvice-com/), this is the point where they think that they’re negotiating. They’ve received the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and now we have to fiddle with a little bit. So, do I have that, right? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, that’s correct because really, there shouldn’t be too much negotiating or sharing [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) information, at least for our opinion, in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process on the interviewee side. So, really, what I’m talking about now is once you have a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in hand, you essentially have the right to accept and start working at that company and the leverage shifts in your favor is where our steps kick in. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, the first thing is understanding the different components of the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and that is [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) bonus, RSUs options, whatever the numbers are, they’re being proposed to you. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, exactly. I mean, that’s the big thing, right, is you want to know how much you’re making at the end of the day. That way, instead of just negotiating one of those components, you can [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) all of them up at the same time and make sure you’re actually increasing your total compensation. So, once you have a good understanding of that, and a key step that most people miss, is actually completing your due diligence on the job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and asking the right questions. So, this is a big step in any type of negotiation, and even a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation where before you start throwing out numbers telling the offers low, it’s actually your chance to show that you’re very interested in the role. But start getting the last questions you might have answered, as well as throw out some strategic questions where you can start to collect some data points, maybe get a few freebies, and start build additional leverage before you actually send over a counter. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** What sort of questions might someone ask during that period of time that makes sense from your vantage point? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, absolutely. I mean, think about a lot of offers usually don’t have a signup bonus. So, that’s like your first chance to ask about that and essentially, hey, you know, based off my skill set, as what I’ve seen with other offers and other opportunities, I thought it was odd that there wasn’t a signup bonus, including the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), do you mind just taking this back to your team to see if you do [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) this benefit or maybe the PTO is slow, or maybe the foreign key is not as competitive, start asking targeted questions about that, like, Hey, I know the forum K was a little bit lower than I was expecting with like a 3% match. Is that consistent for all roles? Or, hey, I see we only get two weeks of vacation yet most companies are given four weeks or unlimited now. That way you might not right off the bat actually get them to change their mind, especially with like a 401 K program, they’re probably not going to, but what you’re doing is you’re already setting the stage for the negotiation and building up leverage, because you’re poking at their offered gently showing on how it might not be competitive to other opportunities. So, that when you come in with your financial assets, it’s going to have more breadth and legitimate see, and they’re gonna be more likely to make adjustments. [***The Second Easiest Way to Negotiate a Higher Salary***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2z7) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, with the gentle questioning, and I know we’re still on step one here, and perfectly fine with that. I just want to make sure that everyone’s following with us. So, in the gentle probing, what sort of questions might someone ask? This I heard you talk about seemed a little bit low on this in a little bit. This one hit the mark. But these two other areas seem a little off from what my [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) says? And could you go back to the team in terms of the sign on this? Could you share the language that you coach people to use in doing the program? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, absolutely. So, really, the program is designed to gently poke at why their offers not as competitive. So, it’s using verbiage like specifically for the signup bonus, saying, hey, you know, based off what I’ve seen at other companies, as well as based on my skill set, I thought it was relatively odd that there wasn’t a signup bonus, including the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), do you mind taking this back to your team just to see if they [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) this type of benefit. Or if you’re say you’re looking at see the bonus, maybe it’s a target bonus, they save 10%? If it’s a target bonus, there’s probably a percentage that can fluctuate based off personal as well as company performance. So, using a targeted question to say, hey, I noticed that there’s a 10% bonus, but what is the average payout each year? And what have you seen over the last few years? And what is the company on track to do this year? That way you can identify if it’s truthful, or you actually gonna get a 10% bonus? Or is it gonna be 5% or is it gonna be 15%? So, you’re already setting the stage or collecting more information before you kind of get into the next step of the negotiation. ## [***A Cute Salary Negotiation Tip***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-o3) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And one of the things I would love in these situations, because you’re talking about the range of the bonus over a few years, COVID obviously affected a lot of firms performance, and a lot of bonuses during that time and if they owned up to it, I would love their [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/). If they tried to hide it, and just talk about one year, you know, to me they’re trying to bury the lead there. So, again, that’s how I kind of look at things, because I look for the relationship between you and your future boss, and where they’re withholding. I view that as a signal for what might happen once you join. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, exactly. I mean, the last thing you want to do is join with false expectations and expect a huge bonus at the end of the year, you work for a year and a year, and then it ends up being half that. So, it’s always good to understand the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Set expectations up front. That way, you’re kind of [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) at the end, and you’re able to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) it to account for that fact to make sure you hit those goals. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Surprises are never good. **Brandon Bramley** No, no expect especially not after you’ve started a job. But the next step is really, after you complete the first one, you understand your total compensation. You do your due diligence in the second step and actually ask some targeted question. bring back some data points. Also hopefully get yourself some quick wins is it’s time to actually [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) the compensation range in that exact role. So, a big thing about how most companies work is they’re going to have a set base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) as well as total compensation number and it’s going to be on a range So they’re gonna have flexibility. There’ll be a low end, mid end, and a high end. So, a big key role is to go in, identify what that is and [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). That way you know how much room might be left to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/), and how strong your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is off the bat, very rarely have I ever actually seen an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) at the top end of the pay range. So, there’s usually always flexibility, but it is a competitor off the gate, you want to make sure you’ve done the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), you know how much more to ask for. Otherwise, throwing out random numbers can be a little bit of aggressive and bringing that old school car salesman negotiation, where you shoot high, they shoot low, and you are going to meet in the middle, rather than taking a database approach to where you’re putting something in front of them that’s reasonable, but also at the top end of their pay range. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And notice that phrase, data approach. You know, you don’t want to be hip shooting things, because you may hips shoot too low or too high. You may miss some money by not using real data to understand what the real range can wind up being. Cool. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, exactly, and really, anyone can do this. I mean, there’s a bunch of public facing websites out there whether it’s PayScale, Glassdoor or comparable levels that FYI, but the key is I mean, their public reported. Also, Jeff mentioned, with the craziness that happened in COVID and the crazy bonuses and increases and now dropped in the economy is people might be reported higher ranges, maybe say they have like [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) appreciation, or raises compared to what a new [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) get. So, it’s always good to look at multiple resources to make sure weaving those out and have an average between the two. So, you have a better picture on what the compensation should be. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And to repeat the publicly facing resources. You mentioned Glassdoor pay scale, comparatively, was it a third one? And what was the fourth one? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, comparatively. Yeah, the fourth one is a good one as well. It’s levels that FYI, it’s more specific to the tech industry and tech-based roles. But they do a good job of breaking out the details. However, all of those charts are prone to personal error. So, if someone misses one of the components doesn’t understand total compensation that can bake into it. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Gotcha. Perfect. So, we’re up to number three now. Am I right? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah. So, we’re at number three. So, really, once you get all those steps, you should be in a great place to send a counteroffer. So, once we’ve done the due diligence, we’ve done the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), we understand the total compensation, this is when it’s actually the negotiation kicks off, and you’re ready to ask the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to take an increase back in pay. So, really, it’s combining all of those points that you found to the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) as well as the pay range and sending that back to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). I typically recommend doing this by email. A lot of people have an interest this what you think Jeff like to go ahead and do it over the phone. But by an email, if you think about it is most people don’t have these negotiations that often. So, by doing it by email, you can control the tone. You’re also emailing back something to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) that they can use internally to fight on your behalf, and you would avoid a lot of the interjections that you might get on the phone that the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is going to use to detour you to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). [***The Easiest Way to Buy Time in Your Negotiations***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9ty) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** You know, with some people, I recommend phone and the way I’ll pose it to them is have you done many negotiations? Do you have this sense of yourself as becoming anxious during a negotiation? If so, do it by email. If you’re comfortable, do it by phone, and then confirm it by email. So, that in this way, there’s a written record of what’s been discussed what’s been proposed. One of the reasons I encourage those who are able to do it by phone is to hear the sincerity because again, to me, one of the missing pieces to email is they’re just seeing this shotgun at them. They have the momentary freak out of how many things are on that list. They’re asking for 12 items. Oh, I don’t know about that, and you can sense where you’ve overshot. But when you’re on the phone, they can hear your sincerity. You can hear how they’re responding to it and [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) on the fly and again, if that’s not you, if you’re not really attuned to other people, and you’ll be in your own head and not really listening by all means, just do it by email. That’s me. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, absolutely. My purchase usually email, but I do think phones are a great route as long as you feel comfortable with those, because the biggest thing is you call that out, Jeff is these negotiations and topics, they shouldn’t be aggressive, it should almost be in the tone where you’re talking with a friend, that’s helping you feel comfortable with the move to the new role. So, if you can do that by email, because you don’t want to have to throw out any tactics with you, that’s great. But if you feel comfortable, and you want to deliver that in a sincere way on the phone, that works just as well. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And you don’t want to have a multi-screen text. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, stay away from a text. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** You know, someone I’m working with now, was getting an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) today and I was just making sure he was clear about what the firm needed to do to bring him on. So, I want to see his list because I know him well enough to know where he might settle and thus for me to know where he might settle, rather than push for what he wanted would allow me to hold them accountable to what he said he really wanted. So, I received this text from him in Europe, and it was like four screens long. I can just imagine sending this to an employer, and it just doesn’t work. **Brandon Bramley** Not the right approach. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, we’ve covered three so far. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah. So, the fourth one was the counteroffer is actually getting that out the door, giving that into the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) hands. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And thus, you’ve received the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), you’ve done your due diligence, you’ve gently probed along the way to understand and to share some of the good stuff, the bad stuff and now we’re at the point of the counteroffer and that you counter proposing to the [firm to the recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-accurate-are-salary-guides-published-by-recruiting-firms-jobsearchtv-com/), whomever it is, you’re dealing with what you really want. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, absolutely because the next step after that is what a lot of people miss, and where most people fall short in the negotiation is actually handling objections. So, most times you send over counter, you’re gonna spend all this time you’re gonna prep for this phone call, and be like, I’m gonna deliver it perfect. It’s gonna come out great and they’re going to accept, but typically, they tell you no, and they say, oh, sorry, we don’t [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) and there’s a laundry list of reasons they can give you. But typically, those noes are not realistic and the key negotiators and the most successful people in these negotiations know to still gently push back and ensure that they still take their concerns back to the team because if you think about it, I mean, the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) job is not only to go ahead and [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) an employee, run them through the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process, but it’s \[Inaudible 22:44\] them from negotiating. So, they have a few tactics. First one is to tell, you know, to see if they can get you to accept the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), as is before they go internally to fight on your behalf. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And one of the ones I know one of my clients when I did recruiting **\[Inaudible 22:58\]** is they made an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) for less than what they already had approved because they knew some people would always want to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). So, they had more money in their hip pocket that make the person feel as though they got something out of them, when in fact, it had been pre-approved at that amount. So, if you settle if you buy into the original [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), from their standpoint, save the firm 15 grand terrific. I’m a hero. But always try. Always shoot for. [***What Benefits May Be Negotiable?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jYV) **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, I think that’s the biggest key here is everyone should [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). I mean, even at the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiator, we have a 94% [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) rate. So, 94% of the time do companies actually provide better compensation when you [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). So, in my opinion, with only a 6% rate of them not negotiating or worst case is you go through the negotiation process you try and they say no and then at least in your mind, you know that at least you try it, you’re not worried later down the road. But like I said, 94% of the time, if you do it correctly, they’re going to provide more compensation because maybe they’re expecting you to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) and usually it’s a skill set that they’re seeking in most [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). There’s a ton of reasons why it might be lower. So, it makes sense to justify take that additional step. Actually, try to get more compensation before you kind of commit your life for the next three to five years to this new company. [***7 Things to Never Say After Getting a Low Offer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-7rq) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Agreed. So, you mentioned the objection of now we’re not going to do and we never do it except on Tuesdays in August. It’s snowing. But what are the sorts of objections surface? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, great. So, it can be anything, right? Anything that sounds like an excuse, or no whether it’s very general as in Hey, we feel we gave you a great [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) based off your experience and worth the math compensation for a role. So, we just can’t move or saying hey, you know what, we pay everyone the same in this role, or we’re cash strapped with the current economy. We don’t have flexibility on our own offers, and what a lot of companies put out and say they don’t [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). The [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is what it is, it can really be any tactic. But if you notice, it’s sounds more like an excuse, a reason or just a general No, you should actually be over trying to overcome that with the goal to have them take your concerns back to that hurt gene. If you think about it as well is hopefully the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) already has something approved that they can [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) and provide you a better [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) but typically, they’re not the decision makers, that’s gonna come down to the recruiting team, the compensation team, or the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. So, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) almost acts as a gatekeeper. You’re trying to get past the gatekeeper to make sure they take your concerns to the decision makers to see if they’ll provide you with a better [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And I’m also going to mention the third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), not just simply the corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). The third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) has a fee involved and they don’t want to worry about whether or not they’re going to lose all that time and the fee involved. So, often they’ll slap you down to. So, when they start pushing back, you might just simply remember that and say, hey, look, I’m not inclined to say yes, right now, which really gets them scared. So, take it back to your client because I’m going to have you don’t and that puts them in a huge bind. No, don’t do that. Don’t do that because you don’t want them working on your behalf and at that moment, actually, throughout the entire service, they’re working on behalf of their corporate customer and trying to be a friend and your buddy and move you along the conveyor belt to the point where you join later and their money and they try to be very slick throughout this time and particularly a close in time, at the time that you’re getting the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). They will advocate for their client, that’s really yet. It’s all they can go. Really take it or leave it. Well, I’m going to leave it so once you go back to your client, and saving, get them out the money. This is what I’ll take. This is what the numbers need to be and suddenly they’ll advocate for you because they don’t want to lose the deal. Suddenly, they’ll fight for you, [rather than work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-would-you-rather-work-remote-or-in-house-jobsearchtv-com/) for their client. Is that what you find in those situations as well? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, honestly, 100% you’re spot on, because most people just think the negotiation is going to happen with the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team. But [third party recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/managing-third-party-recruiters/) there, it’s interesting, because what I’ve seen in our experience is that’s usually where sometimes the negotiation will get a little bit more aggressive, because the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) almost gets ticked off a little bit, because they now see kind of their feed disappearing because they’re like, oh, shoot, not only you might not accept, but now I gotta go back to this company and they’re gonna think that I didn’t set the right expectations. Now, that you’re negotiating so it might make me look bad. But at the end of the day, it’s their job, and they’re getting paid a very hefty fee to place you with that company. So, it makes sense that you’re doing the due diligence. You’re pressing them with some of those tactics to make sure that they go back fight for you and get you a better [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) before you accept. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And folks, I’ll just remind you, there’s a point where you may hear from a third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) saying something to the effect of, I’m having a conversation with him at four o’clock tonight, where I’m gonna be doing the negotiating for you. I just want to make sure that I have the numbers down right for you. They already know the numbers at this point and what they’re trying to do is to see how manageable you are to get to those numbers, or whether they’re going to be in a fight with you with their client. So, don’t fall for the BS. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, exactly. Usually, that question is to go ahead and find out what your like bottom dollar is. But it’s if you’ve already done your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and who it is, or if you already send out the counter, it’s better to stick what you’ve already shared, don’t [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) down. Keep it vague and just press them to go back and [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your behalf and also just send the counter and kind of set their expectations. Don’t put a ton of tactics in place. That will get you stressed out. But it should be a pretty common negotiation. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** It really should is the truth. Once you start to recognize that the game is rigged against you that the third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) at this particular moment in particular is not your friend. What they are is another person at the table trying to hit you over the head like his baby seal and get you to become compliant. Once you understand that, you don’t want it giving away all your power at the negotiating table. **Brandon Bramley** Exactly. It’s very similar to sales, right? Salesman try to become your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend and they’re using that emotional tie, which is also what [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) do. Not only does it make it a pleasurable experience, but then you’re going to open up, you’re gonna trust him more, because it’s not a business relationship. Now, it’s more friendly. You’re gonna feel that they’re being more honest, kind of take their word at face value. But at the end of the day, you probably only been recruited or going through the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process for a little bit. You need to make sure that you kind of void still be nice and genuine, build those relationships, but kind of keep to the facts and the figures and don’t just take everything they say, at face value, because that’s a key goal. So, picture them as a salesman that you need to overcome. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Exactly, right. If you want to feel well, I’ll skip that. I was going to be critical of people in particular professions and I’ll just back away from that. Did we cover point number five? I just want to make sure we haven’t missed anything there. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, really the last point was handling any objections, and actually sending another counteroffer, if you need to say they didn’t hit the first mark, when you sent over the first counteroffer, and they come back with something but it’s lower than what you were expecting. It is okay to send a second counteroffer, and still push back on the data that you found what your goals were. Maybe you’d have another [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) that’s competitive, bring that into the loop. But going past that it can sometimes get aggressive. So, usually, we only recommend two counters. But the key steps we recommended, or at least I recommend is understand the components of your job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) first, really don’t kick off the negotiation to have a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in hand. The second is complete your due diligence on the job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) by asking questions. Don’t skip that step. Make sure you understand everything about the role, build yourself up some leverage, hopefully get some freebies and then [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) the compensation range so you know how much to ask for and then the fourth step is sending a counteroffer. So, actually creating that counteroffer getting it out to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), whether it’s by email, or over the phone and the fifth one is handle objections. Do not take no for an answer. Learn how to overcome those objections, and then send another counteroffer if you need to. [***Salary Negotiations. Negotiating the Package.*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eb5) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** When I work with people, I believe that negotiation on their side is beginning with the screener in the first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), where they’re asking you so what you’re looking for and you really don’t have enough information to answer that question. So, I encourage the strategy of defer and deflect and differ and deflect translates into, you know, all I’ve done is read the job description, or I got the briefing from [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), and she told me about the job, but I haven’t met my future boss don’t have a real sense of expectations, what the work is going to be like, what the team is like, timeline for getting things done. So, could we circle back to that later, once they have more information, because the job description probably isn’t completely accurate. Most HR people are honest enough to admit maybe if they’re lucky job descriptions, 80% accurate. So, you’re aiming at the wrong target to begin with and they’re trying to tie you into numbers early in the process and that’s their form of negotiating. It’s a heavy hand early and when they try and push you, I encourage people to say, you know, I can give you a number, but I’m not wedded to this. I can come back and change it afterwards and after I meet with everyone and have a clear idea of the role, I may go up. I may also come down a little bit. So, can we just deal with this at a later point once I have the more information? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, absolutely. I’m glad you said that too because too many times do [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ask for [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) expectations, and people feel that they have to throw them out. If you think about it, they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for the role. They know what skill set they need. They also know what budget they have approved. They know exactly how much they pay, you should not have to tell them. Usually, they’re trying to get you to anchor around the number and the risk with that is if you throw out a lower number, you’re stuck to that. It’s gonna be harder to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) it up and a lower number you might be coming in at a less competitive pay range and the other risks which a lot of people don’t think about, a lot of people are like, hey, you know what, I’m gonna throw out a big number. That way, I’ll have a very aggressive competitive [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), if I land this job is they might be like, wow, we can afford this person. Maybe we should go into different route and move some of these other candidates for it. So, just like Jeff mentioned, I mean, you should push back on that and say, hey, I’ve just looked at the job description or hey, you know, what I’ve been focusing on [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for the role. I haven’t even thought about the compensation yet. So, we can talk about that once I have a chance to review the job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and the details are included as well as the benefit information or you can go ahead and actually turn the question back on them and say, hey, you know, I don’t like I mentioned, I’ve been focusing on [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for this job. I have no idea what the compensation should be. But why don’t you tell me what you have approved for this role and what range you’re thinking about. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And that’s true, using the differ and deflect approach once you’ve been finish that say, hey, could you give me an idea of what the range is for the role? And sometimes people, they laugh when I say this, and sometimes that the firm responds with I asked you first! Yes, but I asked you second and what difference does it make? And it’s just, to me, there’s information and everything that goes on in the process, and nonsense questions like this, where they try to tie you down early and they really push hard on the number is a message in that sort of a culture, that being very rules based, that I think is very useful for individuals to recognize, and what might want to look out for in the organization as they start to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and they consider joining. So, I just want to check what haven’t we covered yet that we really should. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, I would say a few other items, specific to [job offer negotiations](https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-job-offer-negotiation-secrets-jobsearchtv-com/) is it’s a very uncomfortable experience, right? A lot of people haven’t done it before, or they get nervous about it. So, there’s a lot of myths out there throughout but at the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiator, my goal is to make sure that everyone negotiates, and they at least give it a try and they feel comfortable going into these because with the economy right now, people have heard layoffs in the news, they feel they don’t have as much leverage. So, they’re getting scared or maybe it’s their dream job. You know, I’ve been [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a while I need this job, I don’t have another opportunity. I want this. So, I’m just not going to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) them and accept as is. But there’s so many myths and reasons that get in your mind to go ahead and kind of make for fear that just aren’t realistic. So, I don’t know if you’ve heard any myths out there for why people don’t [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/), but I’m [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to share some in hopes that everyone will actually [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) their job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). *[**The Top 10 Salary Negotiation Mistakes**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ekN)* **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** The big one I find is I’m [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) that they’ll take it back or rescind the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). **Brandon Bramley** That one is ridiculous. Everyone asked that and like how often does this happen and I can tell you, Jeff, I have never had a [job offer rescinded](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-know-weve-made-a-job-offer-to-you-but-things-have-changed-and-were-rescinding-the-offer/) while helping clients [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). As long as you’re a friendly, kind, confident and professional not being super aggressive, follow a framework, there’s no reason they would pull it. The worst case they could ever say is no. But you should also make sure that’s a real no, not just an objection. But why would they pull an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) after the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) you for what, a couple of weeks, a couple months, and they had the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager as well as the rest of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team pointing at the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and saying, hey, you better make sure this person starts and get them in this seat and so that work can get done, instead of like, oh, you know, they need a little bit more money. Let’s go find another candidate. Let’s start the month process or two-month process over again. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Gotcha. What are the myths do you find people buy into? **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, I think a lot of people just don’t think they have leverage to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). A lot of [people think that they need](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-do-you-think-people-are-lazy-and-need-to-be-pushed-jobsearchtv-com/) additional offers to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) otherwise, there’s no reason to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). They would never say yes, or the employer would flat out refuse. But in all reality, the way it works in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process is throughout the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you’re trying to show that you’re the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) person for the role. You’re showcasing your skills and essentially, the employer has the leverage, right? You want the job, you need the job, once they give you a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). That’s actually when the leverage shifts. They now have gotten everyone signed off and approved to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. It’s the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) sole job to make sure you start so the leverage in the negotiation actually shifts and now it’s up to you if you accept or not and if you don’t accept that [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) has to go back, not only tell the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team, hey, the person and accept but now they aren’t hitting their goals. They have to go find someone else start those [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) over the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team have to have additional [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). So, there’s an opportunity cost tied with that. So, you actually have leverage because they want you in that role. You have the skill set they need to actually have these conversations and feel confident. As long as you’re doing your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and ask with is within reason, there’s no point not to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) and know that you have leverage for these conversations. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Agreed. Brandon, this has been fun. How can people find out more about you, those [salary negotiator](https://thebiggamehunter.us/salary-negotiation-mistakes-3/) everything. Okay. **Brandon Bramley** Yeah, Jeff. So, this one’s gonna be very easy. It’s the **salarynegotiator.com**. That’s where you can find out to learn more about us learn more about our services. Also, we [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a free consultation to anyone who’s gotten a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or right before they get a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). So, we can give them some quick tips and possibly help them through the negotiation, and you can find me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). My name is Brandon Bramley. You can also find our business page on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) as well, the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiator, and then if you don’t want to work with our team directly, we also have started releasing courses. Our biggest goal is to make sure that everyone can [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) their [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and they have that framework to do so. So, we have courses on the salarynegotiator.com as well. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Super! Brandon, thank you and folks, we’ll be back soon with more. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you enjoyed today’s show. If you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the Like button do something that lets people know it was worthwhile. Also visit my website **thebiggamehunter.US**. There is a ton on the blog that will help you plus you can find out about my courses, books, and guides, scheduled time for a free discovery call the [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session. Again, a lot there they’ll help you. Also connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at **[linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com\\In\\thebiggamehunter**. Mention that you saw the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I like knowing I’m helping some folks. Have a terrific day and most importantly, be great. Take care. [***10 Tips For Negotiating Salary After Getting The Offer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fup) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** [![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-802x1024.jpg)](https://youtu.be/E-TpfGMtHf0)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally. That can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, management, leadership, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2500 episodes. Website: [w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses) Main YouTube: [www.JobSearchTV.com](https://www.JobSearchTV.com) No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio Podcast: [anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio) Video Podcast of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) Twitter: [http://twitter.com/j](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach)[effaltmancoach](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach) Medium: [jeffaltmancoach.medium.com](https://jeffaltmancoach.medium.com) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* \#jobsearchtv #salarynegotiation #negotiating **Categories:** Salary/Comp Negotiation, Text **Tags:** Brandon Bramley, discussing salary, how to negotiate a job offer, How to negotiate an offer, How to negotiate your offer, Negotiating a job offer, Negotiating an offer, Negotiating Salary, negotiation, Salary Negotiation, salary negotiations, Talking money, Using a Negotiation Framework to Get What You Want --- ### [The About Section of Your LinkedIn Profile #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-about-area-of-your-linkedin-profile-shorts/) **Published:** August 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There is an opportunity in the about area of your LinkedIn profile. **Content:** # The About Section of Your LinkedIn Profile **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** There is an opportunity in the about area of your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)**[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)**things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. Here’s the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, #Shorts **Tags:** The About Area of Your LinkedIn Profile --- ### [The Three Second Rule of Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) **Published:** August 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter offers a simple technique for networking when you are afraid to talk to someone. **Content:** # The Three-Second Rule of Networking **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) offers a simple technique for [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) when you are [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) to talk to someone. [***Networking: How You Stay in Contact***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8Oo) Years ago, a friend of mine mentioned this idea to me of how to do pickups. It popped into my mind a few days ago as part of a joke I was telling myself. I realized though it had applicability to [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) events and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/).![networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-networking1.jpg) Let’s say you’re at a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) event with the opportunity to meet others and suddenly the voice comes into your head that says, “Don’t do this! Oh! You are going to embarrass yourself.” Or words to that effect. What this technique suggests is to give yourself 3 seconds and then just do it. It’s like the Nike commercial. Do it. Get over there. Do it. Talk to the person. Asked them questions. Introduce yourself. Talk to them about what they do and how you might be able to help them. They’ll reciprocate and ask you about what you do and how they might be able to help you. Just start the conversation. The trick is 3 seconds. 3 seconds of apprehension. 3 seconds of fear. Then take a step toward the person. Smile. Introduce yourself. Ask them what they do and start the conversation. I know when I have met people who are “famous,” I have had that kind of apprehension myself. Yet using this kind of technique has helped me introduce myself to people who are really quite famous. [***Conversation Starters When Networking***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-DQ) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. [***The Change It Had To Come***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1OU) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** The Three Second Rule of Networking --- ### [Ending the Interview Right!](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ending-the-interview-right-video/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discusses the way to end a job interview and leave a great impression. **Content:** # Ending the Interview Right! **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the way to end a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and leave a great impression. [***5 Job Offer Negotiation Secrets***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gVj) Let’s talk about ending the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). You’ve been sitting with them for about 45 minutes to an hour, or you’ve finished a phone call but, more often than not, this scenario is going to come up in the in-person [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Let’s say your meeting with one person on your agenda; let’s say your meeting with five. Whoever the final person is, they are going to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to usher you out the door. Your final words to this person need to demonstrate your interest in the role. Why? Often this is used as a tiebreaker in a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s mind. Here’s how it works. They had decisions to make and will decide between you and several other people. How will they choose? Skills, obviously, come into consideration. There are a variety of different attributes they are looking for and personality they are evaluating you for. Often, there is a very fine line between people. One of the things that starts to happen is managers don’t want to make offers that they are not sure are going to be accepted. So, one of the tiebreakers they use in their own mind (after all, it’s not like are sitting there going through the checklist, but sometimes it is on the checklist), is whether they think this person will accept our [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) if we make a fair [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/)? Are they interested in the job? Do they want to come to work for us [***Salary Negotiation Mistakes***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h1k) A manager doesn’t want to go through [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) people multiple times for a job; they just want to be in a situation that if they extended an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is going to be accepted and they will be done with the job. Thus, your goal at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is to demonstrate interest. So, with the last person you meet, you have to make it clear to them that you are interested in the role. It could be saying something as simple as, “I just want you to know how interested in this role I am. I just it will be aB08KQN5TCT great opportunity for me and I would love to work for you.” Or end it by saying the same thing plus, “I would love to work for your organization.” These are words that demonstrate sincere interest. You can’t say this like it is [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) speech. This is one of these times were acting needs to be part of your delivery. It can be something as simple as, “I just want you are interested I am in the position and look forward to hearing from you about next steps.” Or, “I would love to work for you,” or, “I would love to work with Suresh,” or “I would love to work with Joe,” or Sharon or whomever the first name is some of that you met with. “I think this would be a great opportunity. I would love to work for themI would love to work here.I think there is a lot I could do here.” A lot depends upon the role. If you’re an executive, there is a different language that you might use. “I think this offers a great challenge. I have a few ideas of things that like to do but that’s for another day.” “My mind is racing.” Like I said, there’s a different language. You can’t make it sound like a [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) speech. Again, this is one of these times were acting is a part of what you are going to be doing in your delivery. Leave them knowing that you are interested. You can go so far as to ask, “what standing between you and extended an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/)? Is there any additional information you need for me?” You can do this on your way out the door so it doesn’t appear to be part of any formal [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Just let them know that you are interested, asked them for the job so that you ended in a way that lets them know of your interest. [***Salary Negotiation With Startups***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hwZ) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Reverse Engineering the ATS for Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f7E) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Ending an interview, Ending the Interview, How to end a job interview --- ### [The Best Ways to Get An Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-best-ways-to-get-an-interview-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** August 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # The Best Ways to Get An Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the most and least effective ways to get a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m referred to as [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for more than 40 years. Today, I want to just talk with you about the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to get an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and it really isn’t difficult. And I want to give you context. If you want to be referred to a product or service, and you’ve done some [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and you’ve got to make some choices, often what do you do? Well, I’m not talking about flipping a coin because that’s really what [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to a job board is. It’s flipping a coin. What I’m talking about is you talk to friends, colleagues, business associates, people that you know, who you trust and rely on, and get some input, and then you make a decision. Now, in [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), you can do much the same thing, or in getting an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you can do much the same thing. Let’s say you hear about a job opening, and what can you do? Answer: friends, colleagues, associates who you know who might be able to provide you with an introduction into the firm. Now, let’s work with the assumption that not everyone you know is going to know about the firm that you’re talking with, or you want to talk with. Why not just go to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)? Why not find someone there who you can connect with and see if they can provide you with an introduction? After all, many of these people get employee [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) bonuses if they [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) someone who’s hired. Now, they’re not going to do you a solid just because you asked them for it. You have to demonstrate that you have experience, knowledge, and skills that are suitable, but let’s assume that you do. Do you think it’s better to go into the great abyss of the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), or number two, get referred by someone who works there, or number three, contact the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager yourself and try and get entry? Two and three are clearly the better choice, and the likelihood of you getting through the third choice, it exists, you should try that, but you have a much larger target audience if you also do number two. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, do something that lets people know that this was helpful to you. Now, I also want to encourage you to come over to my website, which is JeffAltman.com. You can sign up for a complimentary subscription to “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Ezine”, which is published weekly with advice for job hunters that’s good anywhere in the world. It’s a $499 value that I give away for free. The previous articles in the ezine are there. You can watch my videos there or on YouTube. On YouTube, the channel’s called “The Big Game Hunter TV”, all one word, “TheBigGameHunterTV”. You can listen to podcasts of my radio shows, “Job Search Radio”, which is broadcast on webtalkradio.net, and “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio”, which is on blogtalkradio.com. Both are available through iTunes, Stitcher, Spreaker, Player FM, the BlackBerry store, a host of different podcast networks all over the web. You can search positions I’m recruiting for. There are places that you can post your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to, information about my books and guides to job hunting. Just go over to JeffAltman.com and go exploring. Next, if your firm’s trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at the address below, let me know who to contact, and whether or not I can mention your name. I’d love to help your firm staff positions. If we’re not already connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request at [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). Also want to mention, if you have a question for me, contact me through liveperson.com, where I’m a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and career coach. Finally, if you’re interested in personal [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me throughout your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), contact me through vippersonalsearch.com. You can find out about my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) program there. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* My [courses are available on my website](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses), [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses) Connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](http://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Watch my videos on YouTube at [JobSearchTV.com](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.JobSearchTV.com) Thinking of making a [career change](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-career-change-journey-part-1/) and need some ideas that fit you. [CareerFitter offers a free test and if you want more you can upgrade for the paid version.https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** How to Get More Interviews, Interviews **Tags:** Getting a job interview, getting an interview, How to Get More Interviews, How to get more job interviews --- ### [Ghost Jobs: What to Look Out For on LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ghost-jobs-what-to-look-out-for-on-linkedin/) **Published:** August 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Ghost jobs are wasting job hunters’ time, energy, and hope. **Content:** # Ghost Jobs: What to Look Out For on LinkedIn **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![ghost jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ghost-Jobs-scaled.png) Ghost jobs are wasting job hunters’ time, energy, and hope. Companies leave these postings open with zero intention to hire. Why? To build candidate pipelines, signal fake growth to investors, or convince overworked teams that “help is on the way.” If you want to stop sending [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-applications-2/) into the void, watch out for these 5 red flags on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-just-follow-a-firm-on-linkedin/): The “Posted 30+ Days Ago” Trap: If a role sits open for over a month with no updates, it’s rarely an active priority. The Constant Repost: It says “Reposted 1 week ago,” but you’ve seen the exact same opening active for six months straight. Vague “Kitchen-Sink” Descriptions: The requirements read like three distinct jobs smashed together, lacking clear daily deliverables. Missing from the Company Portal: The post is live on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-just-follow-a-firm-on-linkedin/), but when you check the company’s official /careers page directly, the role doesn’t exist. 200+ Applicants, Zero Movement: Hundreds of people have applied, yet the posting stays active for weeks without closing or updating. Don’t spend hours tailoring [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speed-game-why-early-resumes-win/) for roles that don’t exist. Check the company site first, network with actual employees, and focus your energy where hiring is actually happening. [***The 1 Question Every C-Level Candidate Should Be Asked***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3B0) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)Jeff Altman, The Big Game Huntercan involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid coaching session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-just-follow-a-firm-on-linkedin/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Main YouTube: No BS Job Search Advice Radio Podcast: [https://](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio)[anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio) Video Podcast of No BS Job Search Advice Radio: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) Twitter: [http://twitter.com/j](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach)[effaltmancoach](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach) Medium: [jeffaltmancoach.medium.com](https://jeffaltmancoach.medium.com) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, Infographics --- ### [9 Questions to Prepare To Answer in a C Suite Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/9-questions-to-prepare-to-answer-in-a-c-suite-interview/) **Published:** August 3, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Here are 9 questions to prepare to answer in advance of your C suite interview. **Content:** # 9 Questions to Prepare To Answer in a C Suite Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** One thing should be clear to you–if you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a role in the C Suite, you need to do work in advance of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Here are 9 questions to prepare to answer in advance of your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). 00:00 Introduction 01:05 The questions 01:53 Summary 02:11 Outro [***How Recruiters Steal Your Best People: Having Unrealistic Expectations of Them***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iZc) If you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a C suite position, one thing should be obvious to you– You can’t walk in cold and not be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). You can’t just wing it on your answers. You need to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) with information that shows that you looked at the organization and have definite opinions about them. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally, because I make things so much easier for people. And here are nine questions I can’t give you answers for because it really depends on the organization that you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with. So, you know, think of it from the standpoint of it being a homework assignment to be thought of in advance of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). So as you’re meeting with individuals within the firm, you’re meeting with the Board, meeting with advisors, you have an opportunity to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) and to think in advance about how you might address some of these questions. The first one is, what’s your long term vision for our firm? Pretty straightforward question. Where do you see your firm going forward? How would you help our employees connect to that vision? How would you inspire your leaders and staff to fulfill it? What are your top three goals for our firm? What will get in the way of your leading the achievement of those goals? How have you overcome the barriers you’ve encountered in the past to attaining company goals (because they’re always obstacles, right)? What is our company doing well? What can our company be doing better? How would you go about improving on the things our company could do better? So these all require some thought. They involve [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on your part and that should be done because it will set the stage for your [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) on this [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Again, you can’t just walk in winging it. You have to do some preparation. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) There’s a ton in the blog that can help you. Plus, you can schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me, ask me questions through Trusted Advisor Services, find out about my video courses, books and guides. Again a lot there. Meantime, also connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter). Have a terrific day and be great! [***The 1 Question Every C-Level Candidate Should Be Asked***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3B0) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2600 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Main YouTube: No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio Podcast: [https://](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio)[anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio) Video Podcast of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) Twitter: [http://twitter.com/j](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach)[effaltmancoach](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach) Medium: [jeffaltmancoach.medium.com](https://jeffaltmancoach.medium.com) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, Text **Tags:** 9 Questions to Prepare To Answer in a C Suite Interview, c suite interview, C suite interview questions, C suite interview questions to prepare for, C suite interview questions to prepare to answer, c-suite interviews, executive interview, executive interview questions, executive interview questions to prepare to answer, executive interviews, interview questions and answers --- ### [10 Camera Blunders Sabotaging Your Video Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-camera-blunders-sabotaging-your-virtual-interview/) **Published:** August 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** 10 common, easy-to-correct mistakes people make during on-camera interviews **Content:** # 10 Camera Blunders Sabotaging Your Video Interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) have undergone a transformation, with virtual platforms becoming the new norm. While this offers convenience, it also introduces a whole new set of challenges when it comes to making a strong impression. It’s no longer just about *what* you say, but *how* you appear and present yourself through the lens of a camera. Many qualified people unknowingly [sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) their chances by making easily correctable visual [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Don’t let your camera [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) be the reason you miss out on your dream job. Here are 10 common, easy-to-correct [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make during on-camera [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), focusing purely on appearance, body language, and presentation style, not content. ### 1. The “Looking Up Your Nose” Angle Your camera should ideally be at eye level. Placing your laptop on a low desk forces the camera to look up at you, creating an unflattering angle and![Looking up your nose](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Looking-up-your-nose-Gemini_Generated_Image_zb9uqizb9uqizb9u-300x300.png) potentially highlighting your ceiling rather than your face. - **The Fix:** Stack books, use a laptop stand, or adjust your chair height until your camera lens is directly level with your eyes. This creates a more professional and engaging perspective. ### 2. The “Dark Cave” Lighting Poor lighting can make you look shadowy, tired, or even sinister. Facing away from a window, or relying on dim overhead room lights, can cast harsh shadows and obscure your features. - **The Fix:** Position yourself facing a natural light source, like a window, if possible. If not, use a ring light, desk lamp, or even a couple of lamps positioned behind your monitor, pointed *at* your face, not behind you. Aim for soft, even illumination that eliminates shadows. ### ![Distracting background](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Distracting-background-Gemini_Generated_Image_zb9uqhzb9uqhzb9u-300x300.png)3. The “Busy Background” Distraction A cluttered bedroom, an unmade bed, or a family photo collage can divert your interviewer’s attention from you and your answers. Your background speaks volumes about your professionalism. - The Fix:** Opt for a plain, neutral background. A blank wall, a tidy bookshelf (with appropriate items), or a clean home office setup works [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). If using a virtual background, ensure it’s professional, static, and doesn’t glitch. ### 4. The “Floating Head” or “Too Far Away” Framing Being too close to the camera can be intimidating, while being too far away makes it hard for interviewers to read your expressions and body language. - The Fix:** Aim for a shot that includes your head and shoulders, with a little bit of space above your head. This “bust shot” allows for good [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) and captures some of your natural hand gestures without being distracting. ### 5. The “No Eye Contact” Gaze It’s natural to look at your interviewer’s face on your screen, but to them, it looks like you’re looking *down* or *away*. Consistent direct [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) conveys![No eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/No-eye-contact-Gemini_Generated_Image_zb9uqizb9uqizb9u-300x300.png) [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and engagement. - **The Fix:** Train yourself to look directly into your webcam lens as much as possible, especially when speaking. If you need to glance at notes, make it brief. You can also drag the interviewer’s video feed as close to your camera lens as possible. ### 6. The “Slouching Silhouette” Posture Even if you’re dressed professionally, poor posture can convey disinterest, lethargy, or a lack of [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). Slouching makes you appear less energetic and less engaged. - The Fix:** Sit up straight with your shoulders back and chest open. Imagine a string pulling your head gently towards the ceiling. Maintaining good posture not only looks better but can also make you feel more confident. ### 7. The “Distracting Fidgeter” Syndrome Jiggling your leg, tapping your fingers, playing with your hair, or swaying in your chair can be incredibly distracting to an interviewer, even if you’re unaware you’re doing it. - The Fix:** Be mindful of your movements. Before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), take a moment to settle yourself. Place your hands gently on your lap or desk. Channel nervous [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into subtle, purposeful gestures when speaking, rather than aimless fidgeting. ### 8. The “Underdressed from the Waist Down” Trap While only your upper half is visible, the illusion of being fully [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) can impact your mindset. Plus, unexpected situations (like needing to stand up) can expose your secret. - The Fix:** Dress professionally from head to toe. This isn’t just about appearances; it puts you in the right headspace and ensures you’re [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for any unexpected movement during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). ### 9. The “Ghostly Glare” or “Shiny Forehead” Harsh overhead lights or a lack of proper face powder can leave you with an undesirable glare on your forehead, nose, or cheekbones, making you look sweaty or unprepared. - The Fix:** Adjust your lighting to be more diffused and even. For those prone to shine, a quick dab of translucent powder (even for men) can make a significant difference in how you appear on camera. ### 10. The “Static Statue” vs. “Overly Animated” Balance Some candidates remain unnervingly still, appearing stiff and unnatural. Others gesticulate wildly, making them look scattered or uncomposed. Both extremes are unhelpful. - The Fix:** Aim for natural, expressive communication. Use subtle hand gestures to emphasize points, smile genuinely, and nod to show engagement. Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself to find a balanced, confident presentation style that feels authentic. A successful virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) goes beyond well-rehearsed answers; it’s a performance where visual cues play a critical role. By addressing these 10 easy-to-correct [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), you can ensure your on-camera [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) is as polished and professional as your qualifications, significantly boosting your chances of landing that coveted job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2025 [***The Big Career Management Lessons from The Shawshank Redemption***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3PP) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Video Interviewing, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** 10 Camera Blunders Sabotaging Your Video Interviews --- ### [Making Eye Contact on Camera](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) **Published:** August 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Making eye contact during a video interview is very important! **Content:** # Making Eye Contact on Camera **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Making eye contact during a video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is very important! [***The Big Career Management Lessons from The Shawshank Redemption***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3PP) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Interviews, #Shorts **Tags:** Making eye contact during a video interview is very important! --- ### [AI-Powered Research Meets Low-Friction Outreach](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) **Published:** August 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The fundamental failure of professional networking on LinkedIn comes down to two major flaws **Content:** # AI-Powered Research Meets Low-Friction Outreach **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The fundamental failure of professional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) comes down to two major flaws: deference and generic automation. When most people reach out to someone at a target company, they default to lower-status social begging. They land in an inbox asking to “pick your brain for 15 minutes,” “have a virtual coffee,” or “discuss potential synergies.” This immediately shifts the mental load onto a busy person, asking them to do uncompensated labor for a stranger. To fix this, many job hunters turn to [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). But they use it as a cheap ghostwriter, generating walls of synthetic enthusiasm, using phrases like *“I hope this finds you well”* or *“In today’s fast-paced climate,”* that trigger spam filters. You do not build real connections by begging for time, nor by sending automated spam. You build leverage through Outreach Parity: using artificial intelligence to run deep research on a company’s real pain points, and then delivering a concise, human, low-friction observation that positions you as a valuable peer. Here is a framework to combine AI-driven intelligence with high-conversion outreach at any level of your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). ### Step 1: Construct the AI Diagnostic Matrix Decision-makers, whether they are team leads, department directors, or founders, do not care about generic praise or standard [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullet points. They care about fixing operational headaches, saving time, protecting margins, and hitting deadlines. Instead of asking an LLM to “write a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) message,” use it as a private Chief of Staff to analyze public data and identify hidden friction points within your target organization. Gather unstructured public inputs from the company: - Transcripts from recent investor calls, podcast [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), or panel discussions featuring team leaders. - Recent product releases, customer review trends, or public forum discussions about their workflows. - Industry news highlighting macro shifts impacting their specific business model. Feed these inputs into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model of your choice with a structured diagnostic prompt: > “Analyze these materials from the perspective of an operational [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/). Identify the top two structural bottlenecks or project execution risks this team will likely face over the next two quarters. Cross-reference these risks with my core background in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise observation highlighting the exact friction point and the metric at risk.” In under two minutes, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) processes messy data into a clinical intelligence report. You are no longer guessing what the team needs; you possess a clear, data-backed view of their active operational challenges. ### Step 2: Package the Asymmetric Value Asset Once [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) isolates a primary friction point, don’t dump raw data into someone’s [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) inbox. Professional communication relies on brevity and clear value. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to refine your findings into an Asymmetric Value Asset — a brief, one-page framework or two-sentence observation that offers insight with zero obligation. Filter your raw findings back through the system using this directive: > “Compress this observation into a direct, two-sentence peer-level note. Strip away all corporate fluff, pleasantries, and self-promotional language. Focus strictly on the operational hurdle, the risk metric, and a practical mitigation tactic. Ensure the tone reflects clinical brevity.” Once you get the output, apply a strict 80/20 Rule. Let [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) handle the 80% heavy lifting of research and data structuring, but take 20% to manually edit the message. Inject your own voice, vary the sentence cadence, and ensure it reads like an internal note rather than a sales pitch. ### Step 3: Deploy the Low-Friction Value Hook When you send your message, eliminate all friction. Do not ask for a 30-minute phone call. Do not ask them to review your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) an immediate, zero-risk resource. Here is how this approach looks across different [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) levels: ### For an Operations Specialist / Project Coordinator > “I’ve been tracking your team’s expansion into automated customer onboarding this quarter. Having navigated a similar rollout at my last firm, I noticed that drop-off rates typically spike by about 12% in month two if third-party API verifications aren’t streamlined early. I put together a 1-page checklist on how we insulated our onboarding metrics against that drag. No strings attached — let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.” ### For a Senior Manager / Department Lead > “I’ve been following your department’s regional warehouse integration. Based on similar restructurings I’ve led, inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief 1-page framework on how we protected our numbers during that cutover. No strings attached. Let me know if you’d like me to pass the framework over.” Notice the psychological shift in both examples. Neither note begs for a job or demands time. Both identify a concrete operational liability and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a zero-friction resource. ### The Bottom Line Effective [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) isn’t about glad-handing, and it isn’t about blasting hundreds of generic, AI-generated messages into the void. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to run the deep preparation most people skip. Uncover the real operational challenges your target peers are dealing with, package your expertise into crisp solutions, and open the conversation with clear value. That is how you command respect, skip the line, and pull genuine [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) opportunities to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** AI-Powered Research Meets Low-Friction Outreach --- ### [No BS Career Advice: August 2, 2027](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-2-2027/) **Published:** August 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: August 2, 2027 ![No BS Career Advice August 2 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/No-BS-Career-Advice-August-2-2026.png) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Doubts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Doubts-Gemini_Generated_Image_lkcpc8lkcpc8lkcp.png) Our wedding anniversary was yesterday and as we’ve done for many years we spent it apart – my wife in the late country of England and me now in Asheville. We spoke and we’ll celebrate when she gets back and gets reacclimated to time zones. Twenty-seven years. It has been a lovely ride together. This book took years to write and I released it on Friday. I began writing [Resumes That Work: The No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC)eight or nine years ago and kept putting it down. I’m glad I did because it would have been so out of date given the effects of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and the changes that have occurred as a result of it. This book will get you through [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) and people to have your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) seen. It points out a lot of the flaws that people have that prove so damaging. These self-inflicted wounds may be why you aren’t getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). As I have been doing, I released the book for $4,99 for a limited time and will be increasing the price at the end of next week. For less than $5 you’ll be able to figure out how to improve your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and get better results from it. ## AI-Powered Research Meets Low-Friction Outreach [By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://jobsearch.community/) The fundamental failure of professional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) comes down to two major flaws: deference and generic automation. When most people reach out to someone at a target company, they default to lower-status social begging. They land in an inbox asking to “pick your brain for 15 minutes,” “have a virtual coffee,” or “discuss potential synergies.” This immediately shifts the mental load onto a busy person, asking them to do uncompensated labor for a stranger. To fix this, many job hunters turn to [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). But they use it as a cheap ghostwriter, generating walls of synthetic enthusiasm, using phrases like *“I hope this finds you well”* or *“In today’s fast-paced climate,”* that trigger spam filters. You do not build real connections by begging for time, nor by sending automated spam. You build leverage through Outreach Parity: using artificial intelligence to run deep [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s real pain points, and then delivering a concise, human, low-friction observation that positions you as a valuable peer. Here is a framework to combine AI-driven intelligence with high-conversion outreach at any level of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). ### Step 1: Construct the AI Diagnostic Matrix Decision-makers, whether they are team leads, department directors, or founders, do not care about generic praise or standard [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullet points. They care about fixing operational headaches, saving time, protecting margins, and hitting deadlines. Instead of asking an LLM to “write a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) message,” use it as a private Chief of Staff to analyze public data and identify hidden friction points within your target organization. Gather unstructured public inputs from the company: - Transcripts from recent investor calls, podcast [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), or panel discussions featuring team leaders. - Recent product releases, customer review trends, or public forum discussions about their workflows. - Industry news highlighting macro shifts impacting their specific business model. Feed these inputs into an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model of your choice with a structured diagnostic prompt: > “Analyze these materials from the perspective of an operational [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/). Identify the top two structural bottlenecks or project execution risks this team will likely face over the next two quarters. Cross-reference these risks with my core background in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise observation highlighting the exact friction point and the metric at risk.” In under two minutes, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) processes messy data into a clinical intelligence report. You are no longer guessing what the team needs; you possess a clear, data-backed view of their active operational challenges. ### Step 2: Package the Asymmetric Value Asset Once [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) isolates a primary friction point, don’t dump raw data into someone’s [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) inbox. Professional communication relies on brevity and clear value. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to refine your findings into an Asymmetric Value Asset — a brief, one-page framework or two-sentence observation that offers insight with zero obligation. Filter your raw findings back through the system using this directive: > “Compress this observation into a direct, two-sentence peer-level note. Strip away all corporate fluff, pleasantries, and self-promotional language. Focus strictly on the operational hurdle, the risk metric, and a practical mitigation tactic. Ensure the tone reflects clinical brevity.” Once you get the output, apply a strict 80/20 Rule. Let [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) handle the 80% heavy lifting of [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and data structuring, but take 20% to manually edit the message. Inject your own voice, vary the sentence cadence, and ensure it reads like an internal note rather than a sales pitch. ### Step 3: Deploy the Low-Friction Value Hook When you send your message, eliminate all friction. Do not ask for a 30-minute phone call. Do not ask them to review your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) an immediate, zero-risk resource. Here is how this approach looks across different [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) levels: ### For an Operations Specialist / Project Coordinator > “I’ve been tracking your team’s expansion into automated customer onboarding this quarter. Having navigated a similar rollout at my last firm, I noticed that drop-off rates typically spike by about 12% in month two if third-party API verifications aren’t streamlined early. I put together a 1-page checklist on how we insulated our onboarding metrics against that drag. No strings attached — let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.” ### For a Senior Manager / Department Lead > “I’ve been following your department’s regional warehouse integration. Based on similar restructurings I’ve led, inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief 1-page framework on how we protected our numbers during that cutover. No strings attached. Let me know if you’d like me to pass the framework over.” Notice the psychological shift in both examples. Neither note begs for a job or demands time. Both identify a concrete operational liability and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a zero-friction resource. ### The Bottom Line Effective [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) isn’t about glad-handing, and it isn’t about blasting hundreds of generic, AI-generated messages into the void. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to run the deep preparation most people skip. Uncover the real operational challenges your target peers are dealing with, package your expertise into crisp solutions, and open the conversation with clear value. That is how you command respect, skip the line, and pull genuine [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) opportunities to you. Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Last week I released a number of new blog posts including: How Corporate Professionals Win [Employer Attention](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-corporate-professionals-win-employer-attention/) Excerpt: Instead of asking for a job, show clear proof that you can solve real workplace problems. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to get an employer’s attention is to use visual proof instead of basic claims and show that you are adaptable and a strong problem solver. Link: A Place People Forget to Look for Jobs #shorts Excerpt: It may seem dull, boring and obvious and they may not have jobs for you, but it never hurts to search. Link: How to Survive the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Emotion Scanning Tech in [Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Excerpt: If you don’t understand how [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Emotion Scanning Technology systems work, you risk being filtered out before a human recruiter ever sees your tape. Link: Why Are You Doing This To Yourself? #shorts Excerpt: Why are you putting up with this? Jeff Altman shares a No BS reality check on staying in a toxic or stagnant work environment. Link: [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) BS Excerpt: The [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) process is full of outdated advice, misleading corporate tactics, and pure nonsense. Jeff Altman cuts through the noise to give you straight-shooting strategies that work in today’s market. Link: Questions to Ask to Avoid Stepping Into a Problem Job Excerpt: Don’t wait until your first week to realize you took a role in a dysfunctional environment. Jeff Altman breaks down the exact probing questions to ask during [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) to uncover hidden [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) and bad management. Link: [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/) in the Workplace Excerpt: I asked [Boomers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) about their experience was with [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/). I was surprised by the results. Link: Neutralize [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/): Shift Leverage to Strategic Value Excerpt: To overcome [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/), you do not play defense. You reframe the conversation entirely by shifting the focus from chronological age to your ability to mitigate immediate operational risk. Link: If You Aren’t [Happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) Doing What You’re Doing #shorts Excerpt: There are two steps to take before deciding to change [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). Link: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Fluency Is Becoming a Baseline Skill, Not a Specialty Excerpt: The bar moved while no one was watching. In 2026, [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency has quietly shifted from a specialty into a baseline expectation, the professional equivalent of knowing how to use email or navigate a spreadsheet. Link: Job [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) #shorts Excerpt: This is a short video about what to consider when you get a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Link: Why Do [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Complain About Being Flooded With [Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/)? Excerpt: [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) complain all the time about their inbox being swamped when there are ways around the problem. Why are they complaining? Link: [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [Objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/) #shorts Excerpt: A six second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tips about [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/). Link: [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) People Make Excerpt: Whether you are an executive or a member of staff, too many of you make these [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Link: [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Not Having a Conversation When Receiving a Call Excerpt: Your contempt for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) sometimes will bite you in the butt. Link: Who Are Your Enemies Excerpt: Identifying who or what is quietly sabotaging [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) progress is essential to navigating corporate politics and making smart, proactive [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) moves. 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By over-preparing or putting too much pressure on yourself, you’re not yourself and it’s hard for them to connect with you person to person. Link: No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): July 26, 2026 Excerpt: We all know that the traditional [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is broken. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) online puts you in a low-yield, automated pool where software eliminates qualified candidates. Jeff Altman outlines a high-signal strategy to bypass automated [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) filters, secure internal [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) tags, and command human attention. Link: Act As If #quotes #shorts Excerpt: This is a wonderful reminder from William James . . . In six seconds. You have time for six seconds, don’t you? Link: What’s the [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) Question to Ask at the End of an Interview? Excerpt: Answering a Facebook follower’s question, Jeff Altman offers the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) single question you should ask at the end of an interview to leave a lasting impression and gain critical clarity on your candidacy. Link: 25 Teacher Interview Questions & Answers \[Common & Hard\] Excerpt: You’re about to see the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers, breaking down common and difficult scenarios for educators along with structured frameworks to respond effectively. Link: What’s Your [Past Performance](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-your-past-performance-promises-shorts/) Promises #shorts Excerpt: It isn’t that your [past performance](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-your-past-performance-promises-shorts/) alone gets you hired — it’s the promise of future value and results you convey. Jeff Altman breaks down this mindset shift in a quick tip. Link: How to Work 3 Months a Year Without Ruining Your Retirement Excerpt: Stop trading your hard-earned retirement freedom for year-round part-time grunt work just to keep up with inflation. Jeff Altman breaks down seasonal gigs and how to execute a 90-day sprint without triggering Social Security earnings limits. Link: The Era of [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Leadership Is Reshaping Hiring Excerpt: The era of [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leadership is here. Companies are increasingly shifting away from costly permanent C-suite hires toward [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) executive arrangements to access experienced leadership while managing cash flow. Link: Gym [Grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) is Like [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [Grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) #shorts Excerpt: There’s one core truth about consistency at the gym that directly translates into building momentum and getting results in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Link: People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* ***Books and Guides by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter*** *[Resumes That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage AI, Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC6B97QC)* [***“Networkinging for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. 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(a short guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [***No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [***Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [***101 Ways to Find Job Leads***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [***Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [***Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [***The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [***LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [***Finding a Job After You Graduate College***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [***Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [***The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Pro«le Strategy in the AI Era***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [***Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [***ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [***Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [***From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [***Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [***Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [***Final Interview Preparation***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [***No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [***Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) **All of them cost less than $10. Many are available for 99 cents** ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: August 2 2026 --- ### [How to Dodge the Early Salary Question Traps](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-dodge-the-early-salary-question-traps/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode delivers exact scripts to deflect salary demands, legally dodge past-pay questions, and force employers to reveal their budget first. **Content:** # How to Dodge the Early Salary Question Traps **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The moment you state a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) expectation during an early phone screen, you destroy your financial leverage before ever demonstrating your value. This episode delivers exact scripts to deflect [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) demands, legally dodge past-pay questions, and force [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to reveal their budget first. Stop bidding against yourself. Protect your negotiating power until a real [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is on the table. The moment an employer asks about your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) expectations during a first phone screen, the clock starts ticking on your financial leverage. Answer too early and you lose. State a number that is too low, and you anchor yourself to a bargain basement [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) before you even demonstrate your value. State a number that is too high, and HR screens you out before you ever speak to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager who actually has the budget to pay you. This chart maps the timeline of your negotiating power. On the Y-axis, we have your leverage, plotted against time on the X-axis. Down here at the initial [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) phase, your leverage is at its absolute lowest. You are just one of dozens of potentially qualified professionals in a digital stack. The employer has not invested time or money in you, and they do not know what makes you unique. But look what happens later. Your leverage spikes only after the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager decides you are the primary person who can fix their operational headache. If you give away your pricing before establishing your value, you give the employer all the power. To keep control of the conversation, we are going to walk through exact step-by-step strategies and field-tested scripts to deflect four distinct types of early [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) pressure. Before we begin, you need to prepare. [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) your target market rate, and determine your personal stretch number, the ideal top-tier compensation you want to achieve. And get ready to take a few screenshots, because you will need these exact phrases for your next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Mastering these early deflection tactics is the most reliable way to protect your financial leverage right up until a real [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is on the table. Step one: Handling the standard phone screen. This typically happens when an internal or external [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) pauses the introductory call and asks, “Before we proceed, what [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) range are you looking for?” Do not freeze, and do not provide a number. The employer created the job requisition. They spent weeks securing budget approvals before posting the role. They know the pay band, and you do not. The goal here is to put the responsibility back on the employer to state their approved range first. We use a four-part script formula: acknowledge and validate, anchor and pivot, the business case, and the low pressure close. This text graphic shows exactly how to deliver the scope-dependent pivot. First, acknowledge: “I appreciate you bringing up compensation early.” *Next, pivot to scope: “At this stage, my focus is on finding the right organizational fit and understanding the full scope of responsibility.”* *Then, make the business case: “Until I have a chance to dive into the exact expectations and full total compensation package, it is tough to place a specific dollar figure on the position.”* The final move secures your position. You close with a direct question: “What is the approved target range you have budgeted for this role?” This pivot successfully forces the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to reveal the corporate budget first. You keep the focus on the actual work required, and you do it without sounding coy or evasive. The second challenge is the past [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) often try to establish a baseline by asking, “What are you currently making at your firm?” Never reveal your current or past pay. In many cities, states, and provinces across North America and the EU, it is now legally prohibited for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to even ask about your current or past compensation. The logic behind refusing is straightforward. Your past compensation reflects past business conditions. It does not reflect your current market value, and it certainly does not reflect the scope of work for this new role. This text graphic contains the past [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) deflection script. You start by validating: “I am [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to share the impact I deliver in my current role, but I prefer to keep my compensation confidential.” Then, deliver this firm boundary: “More importantly, my current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) was set years ago under very different market conditions and a completely different scope of work. You evaluate new opportunities based on current market rates, not previous corporate structures.” Immediately follow that refusal with a request for their numbers. Say, “If you can share the baseline compensation range for this position, I can quickly confirm whether we are close enough to keep moving forward.” Shutting down inquiries into your past [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) firmly prevents the employer from using your old, outdated business conditions to set a permanent basement for a new [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Occasionally, a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) will hit a wall and refuse to move forward. They will claim that their internal applicant system strictly requires a numerical entry before they can submit your file to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. When this happens, you use a forced hand counter-tactic. You provide a wide, data-backed range anchored specifically around your highest stretch number. This illustrates the math for a safe range. Say market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) shows a target [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of $140,000, but your personal stretch goal is $150,000. Instead of giving the target, position your $150,000 goal near the bottom floor of your range. You tell them, “Based on my [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), I’m looking at $145,000 to $165,000.” When you deliver this wide range, you must explicitly state that where you finally land within that spectrum depends entirely on total compensation details, like the [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) package and target performance bonuses. This strategy satisfies the recruiter’s rigid system requirements by giving them a number to type in, while secretly keeping your price ceiling extremely high. Moving away from live phone screens, we have to tackle online [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) and [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). The primary digital threat here is a mandatory desired [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) field. If you encounter this on an online form, the software will literally block the submission of your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) until a number is typed in. This browser mockup demonstrates our primary bypass tactic. Simply enter a 0 or a 1 into the field. Many corporate portals accept these specific inputs as placeholder values. This allows you to bypass the mandatory digital filter without committing to a real figure. As a fallback tactic, if the software strictly requires a realistic [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) number, check the job post for a legally published range. Enter the absolute highest tier of that published range. Never enter your actual current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) into these automated forms. Typing in a lower number permanently records that baseline in the company’s [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) database. You destroy your future leverage before an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) even happens. Defeating these digital gatekeepers guarantees your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) reaches a human being, and it ensures you do it without preemptively surrendering your negotiating power. You now possess a complete, customized toolkit to navigate and neutralize any early [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) pressure an employer throws at you. You can bypass mandatory digital forms, cleanly deflect tricky historical pay questions, and anchor your target range high when you are forced into a corner. Maintain professional calm, rely on these field-tested scripts, and you will confidently keep the negotiating power firmly in your hands. For [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), video courses, books, and guides, head over to jobsearch.community to become an insider. And please, like, comment, and share this video. Refusing to reveal your price early transforms you from a desperate applicant in a digital stack into a highly valued professional holding all the leverage. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the former host and now producer of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* *Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews --- ### [.The "How Would You Do This" Interview . . . PLUS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-how-would-you-do-this-interview-plus/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** In many fields, hiring managers will do a "How would you go about doing this" scenario and throw more and more enhancements to the problem at you. **Content:** # The “How Would You Do This” Interview . . . PLUS” **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** In many fields, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers will do a “How would you go about doing this” scenario and throw more and more enhancements to the problem at you. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Should I Connect With People on LinkedIn Who Rejected Me for a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-27b) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3200 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** interview hypotheticals --- ### [:-) or ☹ | Career Angles](https://thebiggamehunter.us/or-☹-career-angles/) **Published:** December 24, 2020 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There is a difference between choice and sacrifice. There are choices you can make about how to live your life in your career. **Content:** 🙂 or ☹ **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Choice: an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. Sacrifice: **a:** destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else **b:** something given up or lost Choice involves making a decision between alternatives. It is value neutral. There is no pain. There is no suffering. It is simply a decision. Sacrifice is also a choice but one that has something extra to it. There is a [giving up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) that occurs that is painful. It is not value neutral. There is an emotional component on top of the choice. When you tell people you are making a sacrifice, you are signaling a burden. If it’s the right thing to do, even when it is a hard thing to do, make it a choice or decision. If there is too much loss or pain to it, don’t do it. “I’m losing so much money on this.” “It hurts me to do this.” “I wish I didn’t have to.” All our signals of a sacrifice because of the tone to the remark. Things don’t have to be sacrifices. They can be choices. Being nice is a choice. Being mean or ornery is a choice, just like being nasty is a choice. How do you want to live your life? Can you make every day like Christmas without the presents by having a generous spirit and open-heart? Can you experiment with walking through life with a smile on your face instead of a scowl? Who will people enjoy seeing more — 🙂 or ☹ Which one do you think will help you day feel better? Life doesn’t have to feel as badly for you. Most of you have upper-class problems by comparison to much of the world. Your plumbing works. Your biggest complaint is that there is nothing on TV. You have money in the bank (I’ll let you in on a secret. It never seems like there’s enough). Your biggest complaint is that you’re stuck in the house and can’t go to a restaurant for dinner. Whoop-de-do. By comparison the many people in the world you have it good. To them, you have the privilege of choices and your sacrifices are trivial. Merry Christmas. It’s Christmas for you every day. Smile. You’ll feel better and so a lot of people. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020 ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** Career Angles, Text **Tags:** :-) or ☹ --- ### [How's Your Plan Going?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hows-your-plan-going/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Short Thoughts. Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We're On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We'll Feel Good If You Do. **Content:** # How’s Your Plan Going? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/lhhfpB3uwiY) Short [Thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We’re On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We’ll Feel Good If You Do. ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** Career Planning, #Shorts, Career Angles **Tags:** Art, How's your plan going?, planning, Random Thoughts, Thoughts --- ### [Sh*t Recruiters Say #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sht-recruiters-say-shorts/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here’s an example of one of the stupid things recruiters site that drives people crazy… And rightly so. **Content:** # Sh\*t Recruiters Say **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Here’s an example of one of the stupid things [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) site that drives people crazy… And rightly so. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Reverse Engineering the ATS for Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f7E) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Recruiters **Tags:** Sh*t Recruiters Say --- ### [Neutralize Ageism: Shift Leverage to Strategic Value](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** To overcome ageism, you do not play defense. You reframe the conversation entirely. **Content:** # Neutralize Ageism: Shift Leverage to Strategic Value **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are an experienced professional over 45, you already know [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) is biased toward younger, cheaper talent. You submit your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and watch it vanish into a black hole. When you do get an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you get polite smiles, nod-and-smile courtesy calls, and eventually a [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) rejection stating you are “overqualified.” “Overqualified” is corporate code for two things: *We think you cost too much*, and *We are terrified you won’t take direction from a manager fifteen years younger than you.* Most [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tells you to hide your age. They tell you to shave twenty years off your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), strip out your graduation dates, dye your hair, and pretend you just learned what [Slack](https://thebiggamehunter.us/slack-channels-shorts/) is yesterday. That is a defensive, weak-handed strategy. When you try to hide your experience, you signal insecurity. You accept the premise that your depth of knowledge is a liability rather than an asset. To overcome [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/), you do not play defense. You reframe the conversation entirely. You shift the focus from your chronological age to your ability to mitigate immediate operational risk. Here is how you neutralize [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/) and force [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to value your experience. ### 1. Stop Selling Time. Start Selling De-Risking. Younger candidates sell potential, [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), and enthusiasm. They are selling the promise that they *might* figure the job out in six to nine months. Your edge is that you have already seen the movie, you know how it ends, and you know where the landmines are buried. When you speak with a decision-maker, do not pitch your years of experience as a badge of honor. Stating that you have “25+ years in corporate finance” does not make you sound valuable; it makes you sound expensive and close to retirement. Instead, position your experience as an insurance policy against costly errors. - **Don’t say:** *“I have 25 years of experience leading cross-functional IT implementations.”* - **Do say:** *“When companies scale their enterprise architecture too quickly, they typically hit a major deployment lag at month six that bleeds 15% of their budget. Having steered three of these transitions, I know the exact structural failure points to decouple in month one so you don’t leak capital down the line.”* You are no longer asking them to pay for your past timeline. You are offering to save them from expensive [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) in their future. ### 2. Solve the “Managerial Intimidation” Friction Upfront One of the largest unstated reasons older professionals get rejected is manager insecurity. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers who are younger than you are often terrified that you will undermine their authority, challenge their decisions, or compete for their job. If you sense your interviewer is younger or less experienced, you must proactively neutralize this [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) before they can use it as a reason to reject you. You do this by explicitly framing your role as a strategic execution asset, not a political threat. During the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), weave this exact posture into your answers: > *“At this stage of my [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), I have zero interest in corporate politics or empire-building. My sole focus is execution and making sure my leadership team looks exceptional (to the board/to your management). I enjoy being the subject-matter operator who takes the tactical execution off my manager’s plate so they can focus on macro strategy.”* With one clear statement, you eliminate their primary fear. You demonstrate that you are an ally who will make them look good, not a rival coming for their seat. ***[Starting From Experience: The Modern Job Seekers Guide for Professionals Over 50](https://amzn.to/3TNGBqB)*** ### 3. Modernize Your Execution Delivery [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/) often hides behind the assumption that senior talent is stuck in their ways, resistant to new software, or overly reliant on outdated management playbooks. You defeat this assumption through your delivery, not your claims. Do not tell them you are adaptable. Prove it by using modern operational shorthand and referencing current tools natively in conversation. - Frame your past successes using modern metrics: unit economics, sprint velocity, margin compression, and retention rates. - Speak comfortably about how you integrate [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools, workflow automation, and asynchronous platforms to streamline your day-to-day output. - Keep your written communication tight, direct, and short. Long, multi-page emails or [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) signal an older, slow-moving communication style. Clinical brevity signals a modern, high-velocity operator. When your language, cadence, and analytical tools align with the modern market, you remove their ability to label you as outdated. ### 4. Target Organizations That Cannot Afford Rookie Mistakes Finally, stop wasting time [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to early-stage startups that only value cheap, high-volume hustle. Target organizations where institutional memory and risk management are actively priced into the business model. Focus your search on: - **Mid-market companies experiencing rapid growth:** They have passed the startup phase, their processes are breaking, and they desperately need adult supervision to stabilize operations. - **Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies:** PE firms care about EBITDA, cash flow, and immediate execution. They do not have time to let a junior manager learn on the job; they want proven operators who can hit milestones immediately. ### The Bottom Line [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/) exists, but it only wins if you present yourself as a legacy asset waiting for a mythical gold watch. Stop apologizing for your tenure, stop hiding behind defensive [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) tricks, and stop acting like a candidate begging for a chance. Step into the room as a seasoned [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) who understands the employer’s risks better than they do, [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) immediate operational clarity, and force the market to pay for your wisdom. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[The AI Job Search After 50 Playbook: How to Update Your Resume, LinkedIn, Interview Answers, and Career Confidence Without Starting Over](https://amzn.to/4xb0mH9)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Reverse Engineering the ATS for Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f7E) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Over 50, Text **Tags:** Neutralize Ageism: Shift Leverage to Strategic Value --- ### [Ageism in the Workplace](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ageism-in-the-workplace-careerangles-com/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I asked Boomers about their experience was with ageism. I was surprised by the results. **Content:** # Ageism in the Workplace **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** The Graduate School of Business at Stanford published a study that concluded those more likely to oppose racism and sexism are more likely to maintain [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) as acceptable because they believe that older people block their way to advancement. The study concludes, “equality for all may only mean equality for some.” I decided to ask [Boomers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) about their experience with [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/). I offered three choices: It’s a common occurrence, It happens from time to time, and It never happens. I thought most of the respondents would be the middle option so I was surprised to discover that 75% of respondents said it was a common occurrence. In the category that I thought would be the heaviest choice (it happens from time to time), 22% of individuals said that was their experience. > *In other words, 97% of [Boomers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/) were experiencing [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/).* Thus, they are not experiencing an equal playing field in the workplace. An American Psychological Association study indicates that modern demands for labor may emphasize “youthful agility over mature experience and wisdom.” In another study, a clear preference was shown for applicants whose profiles included positive stereotypes of younger age. These included being creative, good at learning new skills, and being a quick decision-maker. Deemed less hirable were applicants with profiles including positive older-age stereotypes, such as being good at settling arguments, understanding others’ viewpoints, and being polite. Thus, for older workers, it is important to emphasize creativity, adaptability, and quick decision-making during [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Let me also note that studies indicate older workers have a bias against younger workers. From experience, I know many of you wear that bias on your sleeves where everyone can see it. Being the bridge generationally between your group and younger workers is also a skill that needs to be cultivated. I don’t mean, “You tell them what they should be doing and they do it.” I do mean that you coach and mentor, offering respectful questions (have you considered . . . ) , rather than telling them what to do (you know what I would do? I would…). Conversely, younger professionals have blind spots that an older one can help them identify before [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) happen. It doesn’t mean you have to accept every suggestion. It serves you to listen to them, ask questions and decide the right thing to do for yourself. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2021, 2024 ***[The AI Job Search After 50 Playbook: How to Update Your Resume, LinkedIn, Interview Answers, and Career Confidence Without Starting Over](https://amzn.to/4xb0mH9)*** [***Reverse Engineering the ATS for Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f7E) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 11, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/QdUQ11Bp2Kk) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Bias, Over 50, Text **Tags:** Ageism in the workplace --- ### [How to Survive the AI Emotion Scanning Tech in Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-survive-the-ai-emotion-scanning-tech-in-job-interviews/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you don't understand how AI Emotion Scanning Technology systems work, you risk being filtered out before a human recruiter ever sees your tape. **Content:** # How to Survive the AI Emotion Scanning Tech in Job Interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Think your experience and a great conversation will land you your next job? Think again. Major corporations are now using sophisticated Emotion [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) platforms to scan your video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) frame by frame, analyzing your micro-expressions and vocal [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) patterns to judge your authenticity. If you don’t understand how these automated systems work, you risk being filtered out before a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ever sees your tape. You check your lighting, straighten your shirt, and take a deep breath. Staring into the lens, waiting for the meeting to start, you assume the only thing standing between you and the job is a good conversation. But on the other side of that screen, a human isn’t the only one watching. A multimodal emotion [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) platform is actively scanning your video feed, tracking the exact physical reactions you are trying to suppress. This is a massive operation. Multinational corporations, including giants like Unilever, deploy these automated screening tools to process tens of thousands of video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and save thousands of hours of human recruiting time. The software vendors make a compelling pitch. They claim their algorithms strip away human bias, scoring applicants on objective biological data to calculate who will succeed in the role. Psychologists are aggressively pushing back against that premise. Leading emotion researchers argue this technology relies on outdated science, erecting an invisible, highly subjective barrier to [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) based on flawed assumptions about human behavior. The remote job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) has effectively morphed into an automated, multi-layered machine interrogation designed to decode your biology. The first layer of this interrogation is entirely visual. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) system scans your video feed frame by frame, hunting for micro-expressions—involuntary twitches that flash across your face in less than half a second. This visual scan relies on a framework called Facial Action Units. It’s a coding system developed in the 1970s by American psychologist Paul Ekman, designed to catalog specific human facial movements. This animated wireframe uses those action units to map your facial geometry in real time. If the corners of your mouth dip momentarily, the software registers a micro-frown and logs it as a specific emotional reaction, even if you immediately force a smile. Then comes the audio layer. The system strips away the words you are saying to isolate and analyze the raw acoustic sound of your voice: your pitch, your tone, and exactly how long you pause before answering. By analyzing these acoustic frequencies, the machine searches for friction in your speech. It listens for hidden vocal [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/), emotional fatigue, or hesitation that you might be trying to mask. Tracking physical twitches and vocal pitch only provides raw data points. Without understanding the actual words being spoken, the machine has no context for why a candidate paused or why their expression changed. To solve this, the latest generation of recruitment software deploys generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to act as the platform’s central reasoning engine. This diagram illustrates a process called semantic fusion. The GenAI engine takes all the raw numerical data about your facial muscles and vocal pitch and generates written natural language descriptions of your physical behavior. A large language model then takes that behavioral profile and compares it directly against the spoken transcript of your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), checking to see if your physical body language aligns with your answers. It is explicitly hunting for a phenomenon known as surface acting. This happens when a candidate verbally expresses high [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) or excitement, but their physical data betrays hidden [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) or [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) actively judges your psychological authenticity based on these physical contradictions. The critical vulnerability in this automated logic is that artificial intelligence lacks empathy and contextual awareness. A machine cannot distinguish between a candidate experiencing genuine emotional sadness and one who simply has screen fatigue from staring at a webcam all day. Relying on a standardized set of facial expressions also introduces cultural bias. People from different cultural backgrounds express emotions in vastly different ways, meaning the algorithm routinely penalizes those who deviate from its rigid baseline. These flaws have fractured the assessment industry. Some companies continue selling automated verdicts, while others have pivoted to building transparent systems that provide auditable data to human interviewers instead of making the final [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) decision. Governments are stepping in to halt the practice entirely. The European Union passed sweeping 2026 legislation explicitly banning companies from inferring emotions or intentions from biometric data in the workplace. The global recruitment landscape is caught in a race between tech companies deploying emotion [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and regulators desperately trying to outlaw it. The next time that recording light clicks off, your [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) may not hinge on your experience or your answers. You might be judged entirely on the involuntary micro-movements of your own face. To navigate this evolving [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) landscape and take control of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), visit jobsearch.community. There, you’ll find video courses, books, and [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). If you found this breakdown helpful, please like, share, and subscribe to the channel for more insights. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** How to Survive the AI Emotion Scanning Tech in Job Interviews --- ### [YouTube and AI #shorts #jobsearchtv](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youtube-and-ai-shorts-jobsearchtv/) **Published:** August 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # YouTube and AI #shorts #jobsearchtv **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** There are a lot of parallels between the development of YouTube and where I think [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is going to go as well ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** YouTube and AI --- ### [Ghost Jobs: The Five Red Flags Costing You Time](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ghost-jobs-the-five-red-flags-costing-you-time/) **Published:** August 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Understanding why ghost jobs exist, and learning to spot them fast, can save you dozens of wasted hours in a job search **Content:** # Ghost Jobs: The Five Red Flags Costing You Time **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you’ve spent hours polishing a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) for a job that never responds, you’re not imagining a broken process. You may have applied to a ghost job–a listing companies post or leave open with no real intention of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) anyone. Understanding why they exist, and learning to spot them fast, can save you dozens of wasted hours in a job search where time is your scarcest resource. ## Why Companies Post Jobs They Don’t Intend to Fill Ghost [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) aren’t a glitch in the system. They’re often a deliberate strategy, even if it’s one candidates rarely hear explained honestly. - Building a candidate pipeline: Companies keep a listing live to collect [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) for future openings, so they have a ready pool when a real need eventually arises. - Projecting growth: An active [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) page signals momentum to investors, customers, and competitors, even when internal headcount isn’t actually increasing. - Managing employee morale: Overworked teams are told “we’re hiring” to keep hope alive, even when the requisition sits frozen or deprioritized behind budget approvals. None of these reasons involve malice toward you personally, but they all result in the same outcome: your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) goes into a black hole while you lose time you could have spent on real opportunities. ***[Winning the Ghost Job Economy: Stop Wasting Time on Fake Jobs and Get Hired in 30 Days](https://amzn.to/4wsru4g)*** ## The Five Red Flags to Watch For on LinkedIn Ghost [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) leave behind patterns once you know where to look. Train yourself to spot these five signals before you invest another hour crafting a tailored [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). - The “Posted 30+ days ago” [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/): A listing sitting open for more than a month without updates is rarely an active priority. Real [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) needs move faster than that, and a stale timestamp usually means the role has slipped down the company’s list. - The constant repost: [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) shows “Reposted 1 week ago,” but you recognize the exact same role from six months back. This cycle often means the position exists mainly to keep a pipeline warm, not to close a [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). - Vague, kitchen-sink descriptions: When a listing reads like three different [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) stitched together, with no specific deliverables or a clear picture of daily responsibilities, it often reflects a role that hasn’t been thought through internally, or one designed to attract a wide net of [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) rather than fill an actual seat. - Disconnection from the official [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) page: Search the company’s own website directly. If the role appears on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) but doesn’t exist on the company’s actual /careers page, that mismatch is one of the clearest signs the listing isn’t a genuine, budgeted opening. - High applicant volume with zero status changes: [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) shows 200+ applicants, yet weeks pass without the posting switching to “No longer accepting [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/).” Real [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) processes move applicants through stages. A frozen applicant count next to an open status suggests no one is actively reviewing the pipeline at all. Any single flag deserves a second look. Two or more together should shift your approach entirely. ## How to Protect Your Time Once You Spot These Signs Recognizing ghost [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) isn’t about [giving up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) as a job search tool. It’s about being strategic with where you invest your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). - Cross-check every promising listing against the company’s official [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) page before writing a tailored [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). - Note posting dates and repost patterns, and deprioritize listings that have clearly cycled for months without resolution. - Reach out directly to someone at the company through [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) messaging rather than relying solely on the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) portal, since a human conversation can confirm whether a role is real faster than any algorithm. - Apply anyway to strong-fit roles even with some [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) present, but budget your time proportionally—spend five minutes, not five hours, on listings showing multiple warning signs. - Track which companies repeatedly post ghost listings, and treat that pattern as useful information about their [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) culture, not just a one-off annoyance. [***The Anti-Ghost Job Search: Stop Applying Into the Void: Stop Applying Into the Void and Build a Pipeline That Reaches Humans Coordination***](https://amzn.to/4flBSF2) ## The Bottom Line Ghost [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) exist because they serve a purpose for the companies posting them, even when that purpose has nothing to do with actually [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. Your job as a candidate isn’t to eliminate ghost [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) from your search entirely. That’s not realistic on a platform as large as [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Your job is to recognize the patterns fast enough that you spend your limited time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) on real opportunities instead of chasing listings that were never going anywhere in the first place. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Scam, Text **Tags:** Ghost Jobs: The Five Red Flags Costing You Time --- ### [If You Aren’t Happy Doing What You’re Doing #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There are two steps to take before deciding to change careers. **Content:** # If You Aren’t Happy Doing What You’re Doing #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/1Idj0DsZU88) There are two steps to take before deciding to change [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). ***[Understanding AI and Its Benefits for Business](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-llT)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Changing Careers, #Shorts **Tags:** If You Aren’t Happy Doing What You’re Doing --- ### [Job Offer #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-job-offers/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is a short video about what to consider when you get a job offer. **Content:** # Job Offer #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/YNYmteRytDo) This is a short video about what to consider when you get a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Offer, #Shorts **Tags:** Job offer, Offer --- ### [Job Search BS AND Questions to Ask to Avoid Stepping Into a Problem Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-bs-and-questions-to-ask-to-avoid-stepping-into-a-problem-job-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Especially when things get difficult in the job market, it's important to avoid making some of the mistakes people make too often in their search AND avoid stepping into a job where you're doomed to failure because you haven't asked the right questions. **Content:** # Job Search BS AND Questions to Ask to Avoid Stepping Into a Problem Job **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Especially when things get difficult in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), it’s important to avoid making some of the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make too often in their search AND avoid stepping into a job where you’re doomed to failure because you haven’t asked the right questions. Recorded during Covid [***Eliminate This Body Language Mistake***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2O9) Here is the complete transcription formatted into logical paragraphs: Hi, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). You’re either watching [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) TV or listening to this as No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio. I like to spend some time from time to time to time to time… Okay, I’ll stop with the time thing. And talking with people who are not me about different elements of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). And I’ve got a returning guest today, Thea Kelley. Thea is a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) coach based in the Bay Area and serving job seekers nationwide. Her book, the Amazon bestseller, “Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview” is hailed as “Excellent!” on Forbes.com. For smart [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tips and a free gift, subscribe to Thea’s blog at GreatJobSooner.com. And there’s information about contacting her there for 1-on-1 work. And Thea, how are you today? I’m doing great, Jeff. How are you? I’m feeling fabulous, and I see you took the mask off for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). How… how lovely! And I wanted to say I’m excited to be here to talk about this really important topic because I know [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is hard enough in times like these without having to carry around the burden of any false information, any any myths that aren’t true. As opposed to myths that are true. And we all tell ourselves lies about different things. And [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is one of those areas that, because job seekers don’t know, they repeat the same nonsense over and over again. So, we’re going to do a show today, folks, about BS myths that job hunters tell themselves. And then we’ve got a backup topic behind this one that is fabulous. So, we’re going to start with the myths you tell yourselves that are flat-out false. So, myth number one! Okay, myth number one: Just because a certain company is having layoffs does not automatically mean there won’t be [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) there soon. Companies do frequently lay off—have a layoff—and then [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people right after that. It happens. Even a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) freeze is not something that they can not make some exceptions to. They sometimes do. So, don’t write a company off your list just because they’re having layoffs. And not only that. Sometimes, someone will say that they’re laying off, and it was just them! That’s true! Or a department, and they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) in different areas. So, the notion that, “Oh, this firm, nothing’s going on there. They just [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) a bunch of people.” Well, they did, and they may still be [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). That’s right. Cool. So, next myth? Next myth! Next myth. Next myth is, of course, “Nobody’s [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/).” Oh, no. Nobody. 40 million people out of work in this country, and nobody’s [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)! Yeah. So, there is [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) going on. And if you start telling yourself, “There’s no [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) going on,” you’re just shooting yourself in the foot. You’re setting up a cortisol [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) reaction in your brain and body, and it’s just simply not true, anyway. Next! No, I got… I got to say something about this! Because the fact is, even in… I’ve worked in search for 40-plus years, and every recessionary time, there’d be the voices of doom, and I was filling [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). And even now as a coach, I’ve helped a number of people get work during the Great Pandemic that has been haunting the economy now for several months. So, you know, firms are [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) and… Yeah. And let me say, also, I should make a reference to my own clients. I am having people get [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Does it take longer? Usually. But people are getting [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that I personally know. I’m getting emails in my box saying, “I got it!” you know, which… Fabulous! And they’re just doing it differently. It doesn’t look… It doesn’t look the same. Right, because they are working with a coach, for one thing. Tada! So, another myth—and this is going to sound self-serving, but there’s a myth sometimes that if you’re unemployed, you need to cut back on all expenses and spend no money at all. You need to spend no money except where it’ll help you make money. And so, if you need [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) services, I wouldn’t say that’s the place to cut. I would look instead at your cable, your subscriptions, whether you’ve shopped around for better rates at your cell phone provider or your bank, and so on. But think about whether maybe you do need [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) services. However, I would also say that you can’t afford to waste money working with somebody who isn’t that good. So, shop around carefully. Make people show you examples of their work. Look at their online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), and if they aren’t selling themselves in a totally professional, go-getter kind of way online, then what makes you think they know how anybody should market themselves? And the fact of the matter is, folks, most of you are amateurs around job hunting. You know, even for those of you who’ve hired before, you think you know how firms [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), but you know how you hired. And it can be completely different for others. So, recognize that as an amateur, you can do it by yourself, but it takes longer. And you hit your head against the wall a bunch of times, and unfortunately, run the risk of losing out on an opportunity that you could have gotten if only. Right. And just ask yourself, if I get a job even one week sooner, how much money is that worth? One week’s pay might be a fairly large amount of money for you. What if you get a job a month sooner or two months sooner? So, end of that, unless you’ve got more to say, Jeff. No, we’re good here. Okay, let me see. Another myth is that… oh, yeah… you shouldn’t bother people at a time like this to talk to you. Like, for instance, you may have heard—if you’re lucky—about the proactive way of getting a job, where you make a list of target companies that you’re interested in. This is well known as a [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) practice, about 40 or 50 companies. And then, you start leveraging your contacts, or even just making cold emails—which if they’re written right, they do work sometimes—to get people in those companies to talk to you, have a conversation, build some relationship, show an interest in what they do, and keep in touch occasionally afterwards. And if you’re lucky, they’ll give you leads to other people to talk about, or they’ll give you useful inside information that enables you to make a much better approach when there is an opening. And they know you now, and when an opening comes up or is about to come up, but they haven’t advertised it yet, there’s that greater chance that they’ll reach out, “Oh, I know somebody.” And so, some people think, “Well, in times like these, nobody’s going to want to talk to me.” It’s kind of the other way around, I think, because there is a feeling right now in the air of, you know, we’re all in this together. There’s a goodwill in the air. People know how tough it is, and I think people are often more willing than ever to talk to you if you go about it right. I agree. And I know no one wants to seem like one of *those* people. You know, the mooch. The one who says, “Me, me, me, me, me.” But if this is a previous relationship—I’m going to start in that place—a previous relationship where you’re checking in and seeing how people have been doing for the last few months during the pandemic, whether they’re still in their role, and you show genuine care and concern because you worked with them previously, or they’re someone that you’ve known socially for a number of years, you start there. Yeah, and ask them, “What can I do for you?” You know, that’s a great thing among all the other questions about how is your company doing these days, and what’s new and exciting here, and what does this company need from hires right now, or what is the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process like right now, if any? Then, at some point, ask them, “This is great, I really appreciate your time. Is there anything I can do for you?” Any kind of project of yours you’d like me to mention to people or to social media, anybody you’d like to be introduced to? But above all, there are certain people out there who will help you just because they want to help. Steve Dalton, for instance, who wrote a great book called *The 2-Hour [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)*, he calls them “boosters.” You’re going to approach people to talk to, and some of them are what he calls “curmudgeons” or “obligates”—people who think they should be helpful, but they aren’t. But some of them are going to be real boosters, and they’re going to help you out aside from even what they’re going to get out of it. And finding those people is what a state-of-the-art [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) campaign is about. And a resource, by the way… Jeff, thanks for mentioning GreatJobSooner.com, my blog with helpful [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tips. Right now at Great Job Sooner, the second article on the page is all about this thing of how do you get people to talk to you. It’s called “The [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) Way to Make Contacts Within Your Target Companies.” And so, I talk a lot about ins and outs of that, little things you wouldn’t have thought of, like, for instance, emailing somebody and asking for an “informational interview” doesn’t work as well as just emailing them and saying, “I was wondering if we could chat sometime because your insights would be valuable.” Because when you say that “interview” word, people think, “Oh no, a desperate job seeker. They should go to HR, I’m not HR, I don’t know anything about [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/).” So, there’s just one little thing of what words to use, and there’s more technique to it. So, check out my blog, or Jeff, maybe you’ve talked about this subject in your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) before about approaching people? And with the [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) that I do, the premise that I start with is it’s always about the relationship. And since most people, as we get older and become adults and have other priorities, relationships fall by the wayside. It’s about rekindling old relationships and showing genuine concern. And even if that means having two conversations or three before you get to the, “Can you help me?” question, it’s better to rekindle the relationship because, you know, it’s kind of like if you’re at the old-fashioned [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) meetings, and you walk over to someone and go, “Hey, know about any [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)?” “Know about any [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for me?” Everyone heads for the hills! “I’m looking for a job!” No, you’re absolutely right. And even if it’s somebody that you didn’t previously know and they’re one of these booster types, still the first thing to do in that meeting is make rapport. Get in rapport with the person, have a nice conversation, because you can always ask further questions later. And here’s another tip: At the end of any conversation like that, whether you knew the person before or they are somebody who’s new to you, tell them, “Well, thank you very much. These are excellent ideas, and I’m going to check out all these things you mentioned, and I’ll drop you a note in a couple weeks and let you know how it went.” The great thing about that is that then when you drop them that note in a couple weeks, they’re not looking at it going, “Uh-oh, does that person need even more now? What do they need? I already talked to her.” But instead, they’re going, “Oh, she said she’d drop me a note, and now she did! She follows up.” And when you drop that note, you can say something like, “Thanks for your tip about reading this, and I did, and here’s what I learned from it, it was great. And you mentioned talking to so-and-so, and I sent them a couple notes, haven’t heard back yet, but I’m optimistic about that, and thanks a lot.” Well, what they might do is write back to you and say, “Oh, you haven’t heard back from so-and-so? Let me drop them a note myself.” So, sometimes people will just even [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) additional help because you’re staying in touch. And the magic trick is to keep letting them know how their help was helpful and how you followed through on it, and then they will tend to want to help you further. If they give you advice and they never hear back on whether you did a thing about it, they’re going to tend to dry up. They’re going to forget about you. One of the tricks with [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) I’ve always found is the contact, and again, not being one of *those* people who’s calling too often, but the periodic check-in just to let people know what’s going on, checking in with them if there’s anything you can do for them, being the friendly person now that you’ve reconnected again, and not just going another four years before you’re talking to them. You’re asking for favors, you’re looking for help—they deserve to know what they did and whether it helped, whether there’s anything more. And that’s on you to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/), folks. They’re not going to call you up and say, “Hi, how did it go? Have you been able to reach them?” Doesn’t work that way. Right, right. People like to know that what they did actually made a difference. I like to know that. You like to know that, Jeff. So, here’s another myth. This is the myth that in a bad economy like this, you better broaden your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and be open to far more different types of positions—just kind of take anything. And that’s not really true. It may be that if you’re, say, working in airlines, you might want to think about getting into maybe some aviation-related field other than commercial airlines, like aviation logistics or something. Sure, you have to adjust. But the “I’ll take anything” [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is usually nowhere near as effective as the targeted, proactive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) like what we’re talking about here, because if you’re willing to take anything, then what are you going to say to people as you’re [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) with people? Or what are you going to put on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile? “I’ll take anything!” Yeah! And nobody wants the person who will take anything; they want the person who is ready to do *this* particular job and is passionate about *that* particular job. So, you want to continue doing a targeted [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) focused either on one job title or a small group of very closely related ones that harmonize together. The desperate job hunter is as attractive as the desperate dater! Everyone… no one’s interested in the stalker, and no one’s interested in the person that says, “I’ll take anything!” It is a lot like dating, isn’t it? That’s the way I’ve always looked at job hunting. It’s like going out on blind dates, and you kind of have to get acquainted with people. It’s the prose of blind dating. And nobody likes a blind date either who the whole evening is doing nothing but trying to prove themselves and prove how great they are. You know, it’s much better if they can just actually pay attention to the person they’re with, and listen, and relate to them as a human being, and have a nice time. So, that’s something to think about in your [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/): Focus on that other person. Even before you talk to the person, you know, think for a moment, use your imagination, and imagine having a nice conversation with them and you and them being buddies. Because you may not be buddies yet, but you very well may be soon. So, anyway, so yes, keep your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) targeted. And the last one… I’m going to leap in with one thing here. And folks, you know, let’s also recognize that, you know, as we’re recording this in 2020, there are a lot of firms that aren’t really going to come back. And there are a bunch of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that may not come back so regularly. So, you may need, not to be desperate, but to be smart and adaptive. And to start thinking of how your skills and experiences can translate into something else. And as you network with people, you can talk with folks and say, “You know, this is what I’ve been doing up until this point, but from what I understand, this experience really segues very nicely into \[fill in the blank\], because…” and then you start explaining it to the person that you network with. So that this way, what you’re able to do is not have them figure it out for you. The more they think, the more they start to hesitate, and the less they’re likely to do because they don’t want to get rejected! And they don’t want to introduce you to someone who’s going to make them think like, “Why am I talking to this guy?” Right. So, do [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) if necessary, but [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) it to something specific, and then focus on that. And if… and if you don’t have the financials to be out for any length of time, all bets are off! You’ve got to get something, we understand that. But you don’t have to get married. What you *can* do is take something interim and continue to look, because you have a responsibility to yourself and your family to pull in some money, understood. Yeah, that’s true. That’s true. And actually, that brings me to another myth, which is the idea that things are so bad that you should maybe wait a while and postpone your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), and just take a good long vacation and heal from the [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) of all this. That’s very tempting, I know, because some people have been working for years and decades, long hours, very stressed out. They lose their job, they feel like, “I need some time for me.” I agree with that. However, I would say make it a vacation—a two or three-week vacation—and then do start your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Because a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is not necessarily a 40-hour thing, and you can still take a day off now and then, for sure. And also, while you’re doing that search, because it may take a while, I would really encourage people to think about doing some freelancing or consulting. Which, as was the case with me after I got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) from a job in 2008 and became a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach… You got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/)?! Didn’t they know what they had with you?! Oh, I just… what were they doing?! But it was the beginning of that big… that last recession. Anyway, where was I? I started freelancing, and after a while, I discovered I liked that better than the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that I was [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for, so I stopped [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) and kept the job. Also, let’s say that I had kept job searching, but it had taken me six or seven months to find something. It would really be good to have that work in the interim, because: A) I’d be making contacts, so it would be automatic [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) just in the course of doing what I was doing. And B) I would possibly be learning some new things that would be useful. C) I’d be getting a feeling of accomplishment, I would not be depressed, I’d be keeping busy. And lastly, my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) would not have this big ugly gap. And yes, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are going to be more understanding about [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) gaps around this time, but they’re still not going to love it, you know? So, it’s a really good idea to be doing something else. If not some temporary work or freelance or consulting, at least do some volunteering, because again, you’ll be… and there is online and remote volunteering you can do, and it’ll be something where you’ll be meeting people, making connections, maybe building skills. And the fun thing is, if you’re one of the folks who’s been thinking about doing a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) change, this is the ideal time to experiment with doing it on the side and try to make some money and learn some of your lessons while still looking for something full-time. Because from my vantage point, when I coach people, I tell them, “Now, I know you’re interested in doing a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, but you’re used to a certain income level and a certain expenses coming with that, and you’re probably not going to get to that number right away. So, let’s experiment with this on the side, and use it as the experiment to see, is it something that I really like? Is this something I could see myself doing however many hours a day, a week, or what have you, while you’re still looking for something full-time that’s going to pay the bills?” It’s going to make the full-time thing more palatable because you’ve got the passion thing right behind it that you can be growing. So, to me, it’s always an ideal time to start that thing on the side that allows you to feel fulfilled while you’re looking for something else that’s going to bring in some cash. Yeah, and it’s a little insurance policy because then if you do lose your job, you haven’t lost your whole income. You had this other income stream that goes on. Yeah. So, some good news for a second! Or imagine… good news! Okay, so at some point, you very likely are going to get a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). There is a myth out there that if you get a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and it’s during a recession, you better just take it and not try to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) anything. “Nobody’s going to want to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) during a recession.” This is not true. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) can, and do, and will sweeten a deal even during a recession. Yeah, you have to try. And not trying basically means you’ve accepted the notion that an employer is giving you two choices. The two choices being “leave it” and “take it.” Yeah, yeah. And what you *can* do is to try and goose it a little bit, and just appear uncomfortable with the number that you hear. This is one of my favorite techniques. So, “Hey, we’re making you an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/)!” “That’s fabulous!” And then they state the number and it’s less than what you’re looking for, and instead of sounding exuberant, they hear: “Huh.” Yeah! And the silence signals them. They get it right away! Yeah, that’s called “the executive flinch!” It’s a good one, it is a good one. And also, don’t think in terms of just negotiating [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). It can be real helpful to have a handful of three or four or five things that you want to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) for, because then if they can’t give you what you want in one area, they may very well try to make it up to you by giving what you want in another area. Do you tend to start with the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) under those conditions, or do you start on the secondary things first? Well, I’ve always had the feeling it’s better to start with [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) because that’s what you… if that’s what you want most. What do you think, Jeff? At times, you know, I like to give them something they can say yes to easily, because it makes them feel good and starts to build the momentum. Then I go to a tough one, and then I go to the number. Then I go to the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). It depends upon… again, I did this in search, so it really depends upon what I knew about the client, what I knew about the organization, and how to play with the scenario to draw it out. Can you give us an example? I’m sorry, an example of a small thing you might start with? Sure. It might be something as simple as, “You know, I have a vacation scheduled, I’ve paid for the air, the tickets, and I’m going to be away for two weeks.” This is an easy one for them to go, “Hey, sure, no problem, you’ll get paid for it,” or, “Yeah, we have a way of working with that, and we can get some money to you during that time.” Great! And then one that they can say no to right away: “Could you give me four weeks vacation instead of two?” “No!” Okay! And then you can circle back to the number. Especially once you’ve given them what you call “the executive flinch,” they’re waiting for that one. Right. And then some other things that I’ve helped people [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) for would be things like how much… well, like whether the job will remain remote, at least to a large extent, even after things open up again, because some people want to work from home. Or it might even be the job title, or even something about the job description. You never know, these things can be adjustable, especially in a role that’s just been created. It could still be evolving. Another thing is if you aren’t getting the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that you would like, you could [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) about when that will come up for a [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/), because a lot of companies tend to reconsider the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) a year from now, but you might ask that that be reconsidered a half a year from now. And another thing, and kind of one of the last things I think that you should kind of hold till the end, is the possibility of a signing bonus. So, think about it, which of these things that make the most sense for you. The worst that can happen, as long as you are very positive and upbeat—don’t give ultimatums, be appreciative, and be very clear about communications and next steps—always after any negotiation conversation, confirm afterwards in email what was agreed to as far as who’s going to check with the CEO and ask a certain question, or when somebody’s going to hear back from somebody else. As long as you’re very clear like that, and very positive, there’s very little risk that they’re going to rescind the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). It would be very unprofessional for them to do so. After all, all you’ve demonstrated is that you’re assertive, and that you’re confident, and that you believe you’re worth a lot. So, it’s worth doing, and it demonstrates skills that are valuable on the job. People like employees who are assertive and who are willing to speak up, and who are confident. Yeah. And the two parts that I always [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with on that are: And if they were to start getting annoyed at this, number one is, there’s a message in that. Oh, yeah. So, that’s number one. Number two is the rebuttals to that is, once you see the annoyance, is to say, “Hey, look, you know I got to try! Because, you know, you’re bringing me on board, and part of my role is to… and, you know, if I’m the nice guy and just, you know, caves to everything right away, that’s got to give you some reluctance about putting me into situations.” And that just deflects the entire thing. So, no sweat whatsoever, you just have to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for how to respond to these things. Yes, be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for whatever answer you might hear, and be ready to say, “I understand where you’re coming from. Well, okay, you know, I see what it is. Maybe we can talk about this again a year from now.” Now, I know that there’s one topic that a lot of people are really concerned about. And it comes under the guise of “last one in, first one out,” or “Gee, if I start a new job, am I going to be in a situation where like on my first day, they’re going to bring me into the conference room and say, ‘Gee, we’re really sorry, but we don’t really need you anymore.'” So, what kind of things can someone ask about in order to explore what they’re stepping into? Are there minefields there that they need to be concerned about in going into the new role? Yeah. So, in your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), you should and have a right to, and are perfectly reasonable to ask questions around the job security of the role and the firm’s strategy for [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) during the recession, things like that. You want to pick the right time. You should ask these questions toward the end of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process, not first thing in the door, because before that, you have to be abundantly demonstrating that you are the right person for the job. But once it gets to the question asking and answering part toward the end of things, yeah, “What’s the company’s strategy for [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) during this recession?” And you’ll notice I asked that with a smile on my face. And the smile makes a big difference! Because it takes away a lot of the [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) for the person hearing it. It doesn’t seem as threatening. And I always think from the standpoint of, sometimes—you know, it depends on the level of person I’m coaching—sometimes the person is too junior who’s being interviewed to really get a good answer, because the person who’s [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) them doesn’t know any better than they do! Anything they say is going to translate into, “Oh, we got a great plan! Everything’s fine around here! It’s all good!” So, you got to take the answer with a grain of salt, depending upon your seniority. Now, very senior people, obviously, you’re getting a better answer. Yeah, and that’s a good point, because you may have an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) first with a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), and maybe then with a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, and who knows, then with a C-level person, or maybe with some teammates. So, pick the right person to ask these questions, which would probably be the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager to a large extent. So, here’s another good question you could ask: “How is the company planning for long-term changes that may occur in this industry over the next year, three years, five years?” Perfectly reasonable question. That’d be a good question to ask the CEO, because he’s thinking, or she’s thinking, at the industry level. Right. And for all these folks, the most senior person that you’re talking to, they have a better perspective on this. And you can say, “It’s obvious everything is changing. You know, the world is changing right now, and what was up in January… you know, the blender has been turned on and we’re all in a different kind of mode. So, what kind of plans or what sort of things are you seeing ahead for the organization, and how are they meeting the challenges of these changing times?” And then see if the answers you’re receiving make sense to you. If the answer sounds like there’s no transparency there, and they’re not saying what they’re thinking, that should give you pause. Or if the answer doesn’t make sense, yeah, then that should give you pause. And you can also [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) it on your own afterwards to see what’s publicly available! And beforehand. Absolutely. And thus, you can see if there’s a conflict between what you’re being told and what you’re reading online. And thus, you can say to yourself, “Okay, it’s one of two things: no transparency, or this is an imbecile I can’t really pay attention to.” And either of them is valid, it’s just information. Right, right. So, another question that you could ask the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is about their department. You might ask them, “What does upper management see as the importance of this department? And what’s its role, and what is your plan as a manager of this department to keep this department strong and keep the headcount up? What’s your strategy for maintaining that status within the company?” It’s interesting, the idea of status within an organization. Yeah, maybe that might be a sort of off-putting term to say, I was winging it a little there. That’s what you’re asking about. Yeah, I’m going to use the term “rep”—reputation. Yeah. And no one’s going to say, “Oh, we’re thought of as being the worst dregs in the organization.” No one ever says that, but you’ll notice certain things in the behavior of the interviewer that are going to signal things to you, going, “You know, I’m not… you know, okay…” and they start to fumble around a little bit to disguise the problems that the organization has. And the ideal answer is to say, “Hey, look, we’re not perfect. There are some people I know I’ve done a lot of great work for, and there are others within the organization, I know they are not big fans of mine.” I love the [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/), wouldn’t you? Yeah. And you may also hear, and this would be a really [good sign](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-good-sign-if-a-recruiter-wants-to-call-your-references-shorts/), a detailed strategy. Right before I got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), my manager then… I was in the [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) department of a corporation, and I could see that my manager was already thinking ahead about how are we going to make sure that the trainers aren’t let off, because that is often the first people who are left to go. And his approach was integrate them with the workers, have them starting to help the workers right out there on the floor, so that the company doesn’t think of this department as people that you send people into a classroom to have somebody yak at them. And that was a really good strategy, and he mostly managed to keep his headcount, but I had been the most recent one added. So as you said, last one added, first one to go. So, speaking of headcounts, you might ask something like, “It’s really hard to get funding, I bet, to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) somebody new these days. So, I’m wondering, what is the need that’s driving this [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)? What makes this [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) too important to put off?” Oh, great question! Yeah, that’ll tell you something about what the person coming into that role needs to be sure and do, what they need to be sure and focus on and address in order to continue to [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) as relevant. Yeah, I like that question about what the funding is like. And you might just simply talk about—and again, depends on time of the year—as you start to enter a budget cycle, “How does budget look for next year? Do you have a sense of what you’ve put in for, how headcount is going to change, what projects are getting approved? You’ve got to have a sense, you’re not just throwing stuff up there! You have a sense from your conversations with your management about what they think they can get through in the budget. What’s it going to look like?” Because that’s going to give you perspective on how the group is seen and whether there’s an upside for you. That’s right. And even if it’s, let’s say it’s a new role, a good question would be, “Oh, when was the decision made to create this new role and [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) somebody for this?” And if you hear that the decision was made just recently, I would say that’s a [good sign](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-good-sign-if-a-recruiter-wants-to-call-your-references-shorts/). If it’s more like the decision was made three months ago and we’re just barely hanging onto it by our fingernails, that is a little more of a worrisome sign. Now, let’s say you do hear a worrisome sign or a red flag during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to not make any decisions on the spot. Never make decisions on the spot in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Keep going, keep asking other questions, because when you get home later and you think about it some more, or you maybe go to the next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) if you get a call back for the next stage, you may learn things that may overcome the worries that came up from one of these questions. But meanwhile, you’ve gathered some information. And as soon as you get out of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), sit down someplace privately, like whether it’s in your car or on the train or whatever, and get out a notepad or whatever and write down everything you can remember about the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/): what they asked you, what you asked them, what their answers were, the look on their face, some chit-chat that happened. Because all of that can be really useful later, not only as you consider whether you want the job, but also even in your [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) correspondence or what happens in the next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and so on. A lot of that can disappear from your mind. Very quickly. And I’ll just say that post-interview self-debrief is really helpful for going into the next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Because what it does is it may signal some areas of interest that they have that aren’t obvious in the job description, that will allow you to dig in a little bit deeper. Also, with that notion of [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) that show up in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I’m a believer in seeking clarification, not looking for immediate [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/), because you may just be talking to someone who doesn’t know how to explain it very well. One of the things we’re dealing with are human beings, and I’m sure your experience with [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is like mine: A lot of the interviewers are not particularly skillful. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. And some of the classic [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions to ask at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) still hold very well for this purpose, things like asking, “What are the top priorities for the next six months for the person in this role?” or “the top priorities for the next year?” Because once you hear what those are, you know that you really need to be focusing on those, not only in the rest of the [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) so that you get the job, but also when you get on the job, to make sure that you’re hitting those hot-button issues for them and really making yourself relevant and valuable. So, we’re talking, folks, about the questions to ask to avoid stepping into a minefield, so that you can unearth things along the way that are going to head off problems when you first come on board. Right, to avoid landing on a sinking island. Yeah! Yeah! Is there anything else people can be asking to kind of flush up some of these [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) that come to mind? An obvious one would be, “Has the current situation created any special challenges for the person coming into this role?” So by current situation, I mean pandemic or the recession, anything else that is going on. Is it creating special challenges for that person? And again, as with all these questions, you want to try and [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) that on your own first before you’re asking it. That doesn’t mean you’re not necessarily still going to ask it, but if you’ve researched it already, you could say, “You know, I’m getting the impression that the recession is making [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) extra difficult for people who do X. Is that true here as well, and can you tell me a little bit about that?” But again, you know, be sure and ask this with a smile, or “extra challenging” would be another thing to say instead of “difficult,” because overall, you’re wanting to keep a positive tone, and you’re wanting to show them that you’re a roll-up-the-sleeves and handle-these-challenges kind of person. I heard you use the R-word! “Recession.” No one has used that word! Oh, Thea, how wild of you! Have we not mentioned it yet in this segment? Well, we’ve been talking about it all along, folks! We’ve been really thinking about this all along, because that is why you might step onto that job and find that it’s not an island you’ve stepped onto, but a giant shark that’s now about to go underwater. And you know, another really obvious question that’s worth asking is simply, “Can you tell me about the job security in this role?” See what they have to say. Because you never know what leaks out. Now, to me, the honest answer is to say, “Who knows? You do a great job, we’ll look out for you. You do a bad job, *adios, muchachos*.” And that’s an honest answer, without the Spanish in there! But fundamentally, with the clients that I used to serve when I did search, invariably they said that about the job, about the bonuses, about the value of the options, the whole kit and caboodle. And now in particular, the truth is a good signal to hear. Yeah. So listen between the lines, but don’t let that cause you to take an adversarial relationship toward the person you’re talking to. You have to remember that they are under pressures from various directions, and also that they are probably perfectly decent human beings who you at some point will have a really nice working relationship with. Think that in advance, go into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) feeling like, “Here’s my future great colleague.” But at the same time, sure, think between the lines about what are they not allowed to say to you. It’s not that they don’t want to say it necessarily, but they’re not allowed to. So, yeah. Yeah, the fun version of that is: Page 42 of the Manager’s Handbook at this firm basically says I’m not allowed to discuss this! And I’m giving a flippant answer, but again, don’t hold it against people. Right, because we’re all under a lot of challenges right now. Absolutely true. So, what else could they ask, or have we hit the major points here? I think we’ve hit the major points. Anything else coming to you, Jeff? No, you’ve been doing a great job, Thea. I really appreciate it. And folks, I got to tell you, how can people find out more about you, your work? I know I mentioned some things at the beginning. You can say it again, it’s okay. Yeah, so I have a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tips blog for job seekers like you folks. It’s called GreatJobSooner.com. And if you go there, you can subscribe, and once a week only, you will get an email telling you what the latest article is. You won’t get a lot of other hoo-ha. Well, I take it back, you’ll get a couple little messages offering you like some useful links, or saying welcome to my blog, things like that. And anyway, when you subscribe to GreatJobSooner.com, you can get some free gifts—tools that will help you get [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), succeed in your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) a favorable compensation package. So, enjoy! Thank you. Thea, this has been terrific. And folks, we’ll be back soon with someone else and more. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). If you happen to be interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), at my website, which is TheBigGameHunter.us, you can schedule time for a free discovery call or schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), which I’m obviously going to charge for, and I’d love to help you. And if you’re watching on YouTube, subscribe to my channel here by clicking the small icon in the lower right or the picture of me in the upper left, and get notified whenever I release something new. Hope you have a great day, and you know what? Be great! Take care! ## ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300-230x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with more than 2200 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* Learn to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) like a pro. “[The Ultimate Job Interview Framework](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-ultimate-job-interview-framework/)” w[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews](https://ww.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews) Kindle and print versions are available on Amazon. Connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](http://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Mention you listen to the podcast or watch my YouTube channel. ![JobSearchTV.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Banner-1-300x112.jpg)JobSearchTV.com[Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Going Nowhere? “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs)” on Amazon Watch my videos on YouTube at [JobSearchTV.com](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.JobSearchTV.com), the [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) TV app for Roku, fireTV or a firestick or Bingenetworks.tv for Apple TV, and 90+ smart tv’s. Thinking of making a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) change and need some ideas that fit you. [CareerFitter offers a free test and if you want more you can upgrade for the paid version.https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** Interviews, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** job search BS, Job Search BS AND Questions to Ask to Avoid Stepping Into a Problem Job, Job Search Mistakes, JobSearchTV.com, questions to ask to avoid stepping into a problem job --- ### [How Corporate Professionals Win Employer Attention](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-corporate-professionals-win-employer-attention/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Instead of asking for a job, show clear proof that you can solve real workplace problems. **Content:** # How Corporate Professionals Win Employer Attention **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [The job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) is crowded and loud. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools now let almost anyone write a smooth [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) in seconds. Because of this, company inboxes and [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) are full of generic [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) that look the same. Simply sending a basic text [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a portal rarely works anymore. To get noticed by top [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), you need a different strategy. Instead of asking for a job, show clear proof that you can solve real workplace problems. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to get an employer’s attention is to use visual proof instead of basic claims. Most [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) just list daily duties. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) do not care about daily tasks; they care about **results.** People who stand out show real examples of their past work. You can link to a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), share a project sample, or record a short video breaking down a problem you solved. When [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) see your actual work, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you feels like a safe choice. You also need to show that you are adaptable and a strong problem solver. Workplaces change fast, and routine tasks are often automated. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) want people who can step into confusing situations and figure out what to do without step-by-step instructions. Highlight times when you learned a new digital tool, fixed a broken system, or handled a sudden change at work. Showing that you embrace new tech and think through tough choices makes you very valuable to a growing team. To attract the right attention, narrow your focus. A big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is trying to look qualified for ten different job roles at once. When you apply to every open job, you stand out for nothing. Instead, **pick one or two main target roles**. Align your entire public profile around those specific areas. When a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager looks at your page, they should understand what you do and what value you bring within five seconds. Direct outreach works better than cold online [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) almots every single time. Instead of waiting for a public job post, reach out directly to team managers at companies you want to work for. Send a short, helpful message about a specific challenge their team is facing. Share a quick observation or a one-page example of how you fixed a similar problem in the past. You are not begging for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/); you are offering a practical solution. This positions you as a helpful problem solver rather than just another applicant looking for a paycheck. It is also smart to keep a running list of your work wins. Write down the details of every major project you finish, every system you improve, and every goal you hit. Having these facts ready lets you update your profile fast and speak with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) during industry conversations. Finally, practice talking about your work in terms of business impact. Many talented people struggle in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) because they speak in vague terms. When you share a story about your past work, focus on three clear steps: the problem you faced, the specific action you took, and the real result you got. Use clear numbers, like time saved, money earned, or errors reduced. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are tired of reading endless [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) text. They want proof, clarity, and real skills. When you share tangible work samples, clear positioning, and direct solutions, you stop chasing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). You become the exact solution [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are looking for. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Jeff Altan, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the former host and now producer of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** How to Get More Interviews, Job Leads, Text **Tags:** How professionals win employer attention --- ### [A Place People Forget to Look for Jobs #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-place-people-forget-to-look-for-jobs-shorts/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** It may seem dull, boring and obvious and they may not have jobs for you, but it never hurts to search. **Content:** # A Place People Forget to Look for Jobs #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/yply4QIfS9I) It may seem dull, boring and obvious and they may not have [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for you, but it never hurts to search. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** A Place People Forget to Look for Jobs --- ### [Why Are You Doing This To Yourself? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-are-you-doing-this-to-yourself-shorts/) **Published:** July 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Why are you putting up with this? **Content:** # Why Are You Doing This To Yourself? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/PEs4HCQSdww) Why are you putting up with this? [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Jeff Altan, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the former host and now producer of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** Why Are You Doing This To Yourself? --- ### [LinkedIn Mistakes People Make](https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-mistakes-people-make/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Whether you are an executive or a member of staff, too many of you make these mistakes. **Content:** # LinkedIn Mistakes People Make **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Whether you are an executive or a member of staff, too many of you make these [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). My guest, Carol Kaemmerer, is the author of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for the Savvy Executive . She and I share our experiences of [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make too often. [***Personal Branding on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBw) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 00:04 My guest today is Carol Kaemmerer. Carol was named one of the six top personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) experts in 2020 achieved by the American Reporter. The second edition of her book, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for the Savvy Executive–see [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for the Savvy Executive, received Book Authorities [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) books of all time award . . . of all time, people, and has been chosen by the C suite network as one of the top 100 [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) business books. In addition to her one on one executive [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) work with C suite leaders, Carol is a popular speaker, a member of the National Speakers Association. Carol, welcome. Thanks for making time today. **Carol Kaemmerer** 00:46 I’m so delighted to be with you, Jeff. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 00:48 And folks, we’re gonna be talking about, dare I say, could you guess, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). I’m going to bring that back a little bit here or here, here. Yeah, that’s better. Even better. We’re gonna be talking about [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). The book is about for savvy [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/). We’re going to widen that a little bit to make sure we’re covering [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) for all of you. And maybe I could just start by asking, tell me about some of the egregious [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) that you’ve identified. **Carol Kaemmerer** 01:20 Okay, I think the most important [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is that they don’t take it seriously. They write [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles, like they write a fill in the blank test. But it’s really an essay test. And in order to bring our [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) we have to plan and be intentional about what we want to say about ourselves so that we can be memorable. I know that every [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile that’s really memorable starts from right here in your heart center. And another word for that is your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). So I’ve developed three signature questions that I use every time with my clients to help identify their [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). And I wanted to share them with your audience today, because I know the people that are listening, really, really need to make an impression in order to shine while they’re looking for their next position. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 02:21 Excellent. Thank you. So what’s the first question they have to ask themselves? **Carol Kaemmerer** 02:26 First question is, what are the three things you want to be known for? Now, it’s really important that we select no more than three because three is automatically memorable. That’s why preachers and teachers and authors and orders have used the formulation of three forever because it makes things stick in our heads. What if we want to communicate more things, you’ve probably seen those headlines with six different things in the headline. Instead of looking, flexible, and infinitely eligible for your next job, you look unfocused. And when we’re unfocused, we’re not anybody’s [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) solution. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 03:12 It’s interesting. Human nature, with the exception of people who post things about listicles, you know, those 10 ways that you can have great breath. Sorry, I couldn’t resist something ridiculous like that. But unless you someone’s doing a listicle, three, is it really about it. Like if you even think about memorizing numbers, like we’re really tapped out at this point with a number of numbers we can repeat. So three things that you want to be known for is the first question. **Carol Kaemmerer** 03:51 And my second question is, what are your differentiators? What are your superpowers? You know, a lot of people have the same job title, but each person brings their own personality and experiences and ways that they think and I’d like to recommend that if your audience does not know what their differentiator is, they should do a little 360 review. Just short. What is it that you come to me for? You know, what is it that you count on me for? What is it that I contribute in a different way than someone else? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 04:37 Does that idea of what you’re counted on for and they come to you for? It’s great stuff. Because for most people, they just think about doing the job. I’ve got a job, I do what they tell me to do. Even with the senior leaders, they’ve got a plan for the year or the next few years. They’ve broken it down to different parts of the project plan. And then there’s all the other stuff that’s in their job, too. It’s almost more important for this than anything. **Carol Kaemmerer** 05:09 Absolutely, you know, our specific skills can be learned. But the way that we approach things is uniquely ours. And so some of those differentiators may be even how you think, how you connect dots differently than other people. So the third question is, what are your keywords. And this is important, because [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is a search engine. And what it eats for breakfast is keywords. So we want to make sure that the words that are really the words that you would search for someone just like us, that those words appear on our profile over and over and over, not in a mechanistic way. But when we write, we will write using those keywords because they describe who we are and what we do. So those are my magic, three questions that always helped me to center a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. So that it is memorable, I use the building blocks that I get from that in the headline in the about section, and especially in the skills section. So if people would start by thinking, really being intentional about what they want people to remember about them. And they use this formulation to help them with that. I know that they will have a more memorable profile. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 06:52 So it sounds like in addition to not taking [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) seriously, they approach their profile in a chaotic kind of way that doesn’t really promote themselves and their individuality in a way that makes themselves attractive to people. And I say attractive, not because you’re supposed to be good looking, although that’s always an advantage in photographs. But from the sense of attracting people to you. [***Personal Branding: What Are Your Strengths***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hA2) **Carol Kaemmerer** 07:22 Absolutely. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 07:23 Because you want to have them discover you as well. Right? **Carol Kaemmerer** 07:27 Right. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 07:28 Good. What other [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) do people make? **Carol Kaemmerer** 07:34 One that has absolutely nothing to do with words, is their photo. Now the worst [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of all is to have no photo of yourself on your profile. It’s like having your house on the market and having an open house notice in the paper with no picture. Automatically, we think ‘what is wrong with this house that they won’t show a picture?’ And that’s what we think when we see no picture at all. But the other thing is you can have a picture and a really bad one. You can have your spouse’s hand on the shoulder. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 08:18 I was actually thinking of the old shoulder pads photos, **Carol Kaemmerer** 08:21 Oh, absolutely. You can be obviously attending someone else’s wedding. And you know, you’ve you’re cropping out people and it’s not even a correct headshot. So it should be a headshot. It should be done by a professional photographer whose specialty is headshots. It’s really important to be your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) because once you have been found, you are found with 10 other people in a column and their pictures and their job titles or their their headlines. And really, every person will pick the person with the most genuine smile with the most light in their eyes. The person that has the most animated, natural face. I mean, I’m not I’m not talking clown. I’m talking, you know, does this person look like they came for business? Are they looking at you? Are they smiling? Do they look like they’re ready for your job? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 09:27 I’m just going to sneak in one thing here, because you mentioned it in passing. Someone told me that they had spoken to someone in [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and they want a photo where you’re looking at the camera. Not that you’re looking to his side, because that’s not going to work for them. They disadvantage responses of photographs of people with photos where they’re not making [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/). So just be aware that if you’re not looking directly at someone, not good. Now, going past that, as you say, the friendly look, the one where you’ve got the congenial smile on your face. I know, we had a technical issue when we first started recording this. And when I asked Carol to reschedule, she went to my scheduling pages, she wrote back to me saying, you’ve got her such a warm, engaging photo there, which I happen to also use on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). And it does make a difference in how people see you. So recognize if you’ve got the scowl on your face, as some people do, and that’s men and women. By the way, the scowl does not work, the annoy look doesn’t work. There’s a lot of non friendly looks that hurt you, because who wants to reach out to someone who’s got a puss on like that? **Carol Kaemmerer** 10:51 That’s so and and what you put on matters? You know, it’s not that everyone needs to look like they are going to have a board meeting and they’re all in their ties. If that’s not the kind of job that you have, you don’t need to look like that. But you do need to look ready for your work. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 11:16 And I’ll also mentioned that, that the banner behind you, behind your profile picture can be you in action in some way. So the person who’s speaking to a group or is presenting in a situation like photo it’s done well. But in your headshot, no, doesn’t work. So reserve that for the banner photo, and use that to demonstrate, particularly for those of you who are senior leaders demonstrate your authority. It looks like you’re about to say something I’m sorry. **Carol Kaemmerer** 12:00 Well, are you looking for other things. . . there are things people do wrong. Here’s number three, they have too little text to rank well on a keyword search. So, this is, especially for the people who have no about section, or whose about section is this big? Or who have no accomplishments or any text under each of those positions that they’ve held over the years. Those people who think, ‘well, you know, this is safe. All I have to do is put in what my title is, and that’ll stand for what I did. Well, no, you have to write to the margins almost in order to be found on a keyword search. And that is, each section in [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) has a specific character count or number associated with it. The headline is 220 characters. So whereas most people’s headline is auto filled by [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and it’s just their job title and their company, we can go beyond that, and add what value we bring, what effect we have, or how we achieved our [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Whatever it is, we want to add value to that. And we want to do it without using 1000 pipes or slashes, and listing six things that’s not it. We want to share with people how we add value in that section. And then the about section, it’s 2600 characters. That’s five paragraphs. So if you’re writing two sentences, you’re missing the boat. Because the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) algorithm, one of the drivers of that is the number of times the keyword that the person is searching for, appears on your profile. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 14:11 But I’m not looking for a job! Why should I put all that stuff in there if I’m not looking for a job? **Carol Kaemmerer** 14:18 If you’re not looking for a job, you are always open to great opportunities for new clients, new customers, new projects, the possibility to serve on a board. It doesn’t have to be that you’re looking for a new job in order for you to benefit from being intentional and writing to the markets. [***Why Do People Post Articles on Their LinkedIn Accounts?*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-213) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 14:43 Some I know I’ve said many years ago, the person who gets ahead isn’t always the smartest, they don’t always work the hardest, although those are great qualities to possess. People get ahead by being alert opportunity. Sometimes, on a rare occasion, they’re internal to their organization. Most of the time there were external. So if you’re hiding yourself by not providing data there that [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) can come up in search, you’re invisible, that’s not the point of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). You want to be found. And with 800 million people on the platform at this point, you know, **Carol Kaemmerer** 15:22 It’s a high bar, **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 15:23 Right. It’s a very high bar. And if you’re hiding yourself, or your firm is demanding that you hide yourself, it’s a problem for you. Because you know, you’re not going to be there for the next [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of your life. **Carol Kaemmerer** 15:39 Probably not. And, you know, it used to be. Many, many, many years ago, that people would work for one company for their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). And that is just not the reality. These days, companies are not willing to carry someone forever. Things come and go. And people change positions, for all kinds of reasons, some of them are under their control, and some of them very much not under their control. But to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) always is a great idea. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 16:16 Great. Folks, you may think you have a permanent position. You don’t. You have a full time position, where there’s an expectation of a certain number of hours. And, you know, as Lord knows, so many of you discovered in one recession or another, your permanent position wasn’t so permanent was it? So put yourself in the position to be discovered and opportunity to land in your lap. Rather than lurching from one [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) to another and lurching from one search to another, and not doing anything to build up your network, not doing anything to really promote yourself, do the things so you’re discovered. What else do people do wrong? Tell me more! **Carol Kaemmerer** 17:01 Well, they might have only a few skills. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) gives us the opportunity to list 50 skills. And it’s a wonderful exercise that I use with with my clients, we look at what skills are actually on that inventory. And they are so surprised to see that they have skills that they haven’t used in [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/), that’s something that they delegated down several years ago. They have old skills, skills that no longer apply in the world of work, unless you are an entry level employee. Really? Having Microsoft Word as a skill? Honestly, you know, that’s, that’s a given that we know how to use these tools. So it’s important to make sure that the skills that are listed are listed at the level that you do them. For instance, our National Sales Director. Having sales on his or her profile. It doesn’t have the punch that you know, leading sales teams has. It’s at the level that the guy who comes with the pizza coupons to your door, that sales. And so it doesn’t describe what the National Sales Director is doing. And so make sure that the skills that are listed are listed at your level. They’ve changed the skills in two ways. Now, the top three skills that are listed are flags. They have an extra weight in the algorithm we think, and they should communicate to the people that are looking, what are the top three things you do? What does it sound like? That sounds like the three things you want to be known for. So make sure that those things align. When we align our message, we win. We are memorable. So make sure that you’re . . . Oh, I was saying that the skills had changed in two ways. One of them is that that the three things were important, okay. The other is that the skills are much deeper than they used to be. Years and years ago, who had picked leadership? You know, check. Now, there are 15 flavors of leadership that you can select, and each one of them has more than one key word embedded like clinical leadership, technical leadership, cross functional team leadership. So when you buy, you know, just by selecting a skill that has multiple key words in it, you get a bargain. You get cross functional, and team and leadership. Pow, pow, pow. That’s, you know, a bargain. And so when I am maximizing somebody’s ability to be found, we work a lot on this skill section. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 20:25 You know, folks, if you haven’t heard me say this, I was among the first 10,000 people on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). So, I remember when functions get rolled out. And I used to do recruiting. Did it for many years, and I would see people endorse me for system development lifecycle. I would go, “What the . . . ” I’ve buried that. Initially, I buried it, and now it’s gone altogether. Think in terms of purging some of these things that have no relevance whatsoever for what you want to be known for? What you’ve accomplished during the last few years, like stuff that you did when you were 22? Who cares about it unless you’re 23? **Carol Kaemmerer** 21:06 You could be the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) Fortran programmer ever. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 21:09 Ooooh! **Carol Kaemmerer** 21:12 Wouldn’t do you any goodnow. So you know, that the notion that we learn new skills, that makes a difference. But the notion that you had a skill that is obsolete in the marketplace? You know, 40 years ago, it’s not working for you. [***The Top 10 Mistakes Professionals Make on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gYc) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 21:31 I won’t decipher Fortran for those of you who don’t know what it is. It’s not important. Yes, it was a programming language back in the Stone Ages when dinosaurs roamed the earth and was used in scientific . . . **Carol Kaemmerer** 21:44 When Jeff and I were young. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 21:46 I was never young, I’ve stopped being young a long time ago. But we digress. What other things do people do wrong? Whether they’re is a leader or as a staff person with their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles, or beyond? **Carol Kaemmerer** 22:02 Well, I mentioned obliquely that we need to have something under each of our positions. And it doesn’t have to be what you’re or shouldn’t be actually what your responsibilities were. But actually, your accomplishments, think about the stories that you want to tell [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) when you have the opportunity for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Tell those stories. Tell the stories about the process that you implemented that saved money, that allowed the company to move forward with fewer resources, getting more done, stuff like that. Use metrics, if you have them. Make sure that you are list you know, using your 2000 characters for each position. Not for all the positions going back because you know, some things just really don’t matter. But our most recent position, and the one before that. Fill them out. When we see that you have accomplished in the past, we assume that you will accomplish in the future. So listing your accomplishments is a win win. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 23:25 How many characters in the about field? Do you know that off hand? **Carol Kaemmerer** 23:29 2600 characters, so that’s five paragraphs in the about field. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 23:34 Excellent. And folks, I’ll just encourage you, if you’re actively looking for work, put your email address in there. Make it easy for people to contact you, instead of spending an InMail to do it. If they do it, they probably haven’t looked at your profile. But if you have your email address, you’re saving someone $15 ish to reach out to you. So since you’re actively looking for work, why you being hard to get. Be easy. And then once it’s gone, once you found something, you can take it out. And for those of you who are concerned about crackpots, or perpetrators on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), have a fake email address that forwards to your real one. So this way you can cut it off. When your search is done. **Carol Kaemmerer** 24:24 Search email address. It really works. It’s not fake like that! **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 24:31 It’s not your primary and thus, particularly for women if this is a concern of yours. ‘Oh, you’re very good looking. I’d like to meet you and I’ve got a . . . I need sponsorship from my visa!’ As happens as happens. **Carol Kaemmerer** 24:46 I get those **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 24:47 Everyone gets those among the women. I’ll just simply say and now men are getting it from Asia. That’s a different thing. You want to be contacted, but you don’t need to expose yourself in this, to any sort of danger or nonsense. You can cut it off, you can report people into [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and block them. There’s lots of different ways that you can protect yourself from nut [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) like these. **Carol Kaemmerer** 25:21 Absolutely. So I wanted to mention where they should put their email. So there are at least two places that I recommend. One is in the [contact information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) so that if someone connects with you. They will be able to see your email address. But since you are looking for a position, I put it in the about section at the end, some people put it in the about section at the beginning. Either way, in the about section is the place that [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are going to be looking. And so I give them the sales first, you know. All about me. And then here’s, here’s my [contact information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/). **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 26:06 Excellent. And I know there’s a million more things that people do wrong on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). I’ve created a lot of videos about that. What else do you think we should highlight today about what they do wrong? **Carol Kaemmerer** 26:17 Okay, well, I’m not having any recommendations is a problem. I recommend to people that they seek from someone who supervised them at some point in their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), a recommendation, not from your current supervisor, because that’s not oil. But ask someone that you worked for in the past to give you a recommendation. Think about someone who worked at your same level, in your same company or alongside you on a project. but in a different company. Maybe, you know, you were working across companies to do a project. That would be a colleague kind of recommendation. And then finally, if you have ever supervised anyone, look to someone who you are not currently supervising, who might be able to write your recommendation. So that’s, you know, a real quick one. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 27:29 Recommendations. Having worked in search for as long as I did, recommendations are really pivotal in how people see it. After all, these are people who in theory can attest to the quality of your work. I know I get these messages from overseas when they want me to recommend them for something. And I won’t do it because I don’t want to game the system, I want the system to actually work. So gaming the system, don’t do it. But where you can provide recommendations and ask other people who are your first level of connections, to recommend you for things, it helps you. It really does. Because the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are trying to figure out who to contact. And if they are looking at your profile, they’ll eventually get to and respond to them. They’ll see that someone who knows your work will speak to your successes for them, or how you help them or the benefit that you bring to an organization. We’re back at the idea of social proof and how you as a professional, are receiving a testimonial from someone. And it’s not just you telling people that you’re great. Other people are telling them that **Carol Kaemmerer** 28:46 it’s a wonderful thing. One other thing that I would like to suggest is a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is not on the the profile itself. But this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is not using [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) in its functionality, not contributing to that homepage feed. When we don’t do that. We are not top of mind. Nobody thinks of us when an opportunity that’s right for us comes. But if you have been nurturing your contacts by cheering and commenting on their posts that keeps you top of mind. It affirms others which is a win and they remember you which is another win. And when we are remembered we are referred. And what better way to get into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) situation than to have been referred by a friend So those people that have never commented online, whose whose idea of commenting is to do the little thumbs up. Thumbs Up is is lovely, thank you very much. But and you need to comment. And the comment needs to be better than way to go. It’s supposed to be at least five words to like count on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) in terms of three. Even way to go, Carol Kaemmerer, doesn’t really help. I don’t believe that the idea is that you want to add value. So if you’re commenting on someone’s article, think about it. If it’s a listicle, think about saying, you know, I really liked point number three, because I’ve seen that time and again, in my own company, blah, blah, blah, blah. Or pick a [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) and attribute it to the person who wrote the article. You know, put it in quotation marks and do a double dash. ‘Sage advice, Jeff. Make it so that the person knows that you commented. [***Getting Results from Your Posts on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aai) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 31:26 And the easiest way to do that is to tag them, or use the reply feature to their post. Because I always think, especially for senior professionals, you don’t have time. So how can we do things that optimize your time. I know the easiest thing is really sharing something that you read that has value, and working up from there. So if once a week you share an article, throw in a comment about it, and why it had meaning. That’s about one paragraph long, maybe tag a few people that you know in it which is better yet, because then you’re giving them the opportunity to comment on yours, which [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) likes that much more. Pick four or five people. Rotate them, and get yourself out there so that [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) wants to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you because you’re an active member of the platform. And they want to do that. What else haven’t we covered yet that we really should amongst the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make? **Carol Kaemmerer** 32:30 Well, here’s one that is specifically for people who have been on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) forever and ever. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 32:38 Oooh, me! **Carol Kaemmerer** 32:39 Yeah, yeah. So you need to go to your edit your public profile and URL section. Now that you will find that to the right of your profile. So you’re looking at your profile page, right to the right, right at the top. It says edit your public profile and URL. So what I want you to do when you do that, number one, if you haven’t ever edited your URL, you’re right there. This is your opportunity. And this is more important now than it has been before. Because people are typing their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL in chat apps on Zoom. You know, it’s like we’re all in a big room. And people say, ‘Well, you know, drop your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL in here and, you know, let’s have some connection.’ Well, you know, other people are writing, Ted Smith change, you know, in there, well, it starts [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/and, then the person’s name and a key word, or the person’s name and their academic credentials, or, you know, something exciting like that. And other people are typing, you know, Ted Jones 1297czx. Try trying to remember what their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile URL is. And it’s, it’s just ridiculous. But especially when you’re in [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), if you customize your URL, you could put it on your email signature block, at the end of every email, you can do that in almost every [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), or almost every email program has a little way that you can set up something that looks neat. And make sure that you have a tidy URL that doesn’t take up a whole line. And after you’ve customized your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL, go down and you will see As you know, all every section of the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile and little slider buttons, the slider buttons have things turned off and turned on. Now the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that I see most commonly with senior leaders, if they’re going to make a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) like this, it is that they back when they joined, they turn their picture off. Because in that time, it was scary to have our picture online, and people didn’t do it. And so many people turn there, they turned all kinds of things off. They turned their picture off, which is what you can see. But they turned off things that you can’t see, like they turned off their experience, or they turned off their skills. Well, the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) bots cannot read something that you’ve turned off to the public. So make sure that your picture and every section of the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile shows to the public when they are looking at your profile. So that’s, you know, it’s kind of a global thing. But you just want to make sure that you haven’t hidden away part of yourself that you thought was important, and it probably was important to you way back then to keep some things secret. Now, if you keeping it secret, you’re not going to be found on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), because the bots can’t read your profile. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 36:32 I’ll also mention a new feature that came online recently that on your profile, not in this area but in the Standard Profile area, if you click on the pencil related to your heading area, you can now . . . we have a personal website. So this way, if you want to direct people to your site for more information, you can tell them For more about me, and then direct them to the website itself. It’s a nice little add in. Carol, we could go on for a long time because like I said, there’s a million [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make. How can people find out **Carol Kaemmerer** 37:07 I know all about . . . ***[Do You Send Connection Requests to People You Don’t Know on LinkedIn?”](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cLA)*** **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 37:09 I know I made some of them many years ago, **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2300 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* My [courses are available on my website](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses), [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses) I do a livestream on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), YouTube (on the JobSearchTV.com account) and on Facebook (on the [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) page) Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 PM Eastern. You can send your questions about [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) better, management, leadership or to get advice about a workplace issue to me via messaging on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or in chat during the approximately 30 minute show. Classes On Skillshare Freelancing or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a freelancer: [fiverr.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/fiverr) h[ttps://thebiggamehunter.us/fiverr](https://about:blank). or Freelancer: ![JobSearchTV.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Banner-1-300x112.jpg)JobSearchTV.comTo set up your freelance business correctly: [ incorporate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/incorporate) [https://thebiggamehunter.us/incorporate ](https://thebiggamehunter.us/incorporate) Connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](http://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Watch my videos on YouTube at [JobSearchTV.com](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.JobSearchTV.com), the [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) TV app for fireTV or a firestick or Bingenetworks.tv for Apple TV, and 90+ smart tv’s. Thinking of making a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) change and need some ideas that fit you. [CareerFitter offers a free test and if you want more you can upgrade for the paid version.https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Career) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. \#linkedIn #linkedinmistakes #jobsearchtv **Categories:** LinkedIn, Mistakes **Tags:** branding on LinkedIn, Carol J. Kaemmerer, LinkedIn for C suite professionals, LinkedIn for executives, LinkedIn Job search, LinkedIn mistakes, LinkedIn mistakes people make, stupid LinkedIn mistakes, using LinkedIn to job search --- ### [There Are Many Fewer Full Time Jobs #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) **Published:** July 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I saw a very surprising statistic that explains why it is harder to find a full time job **Content:** # There Are Many Fewer Full-Time Jobs #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/a4P_HDYqegk) I saw a very surprising statistic that explains why it is harder to find a full-time job. [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** The Job Market, #Shorts **Tags:** There Are Many Fewer Full Time Jobs --- ### [Spot and Avoid the Burnout Trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/spot-and-avoid-the-burnout-trap/) **Published:** July 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn the questions and back-channel strategies needed to protect your boundaries and secure a sustainable career move. **Content:** # Spot and Avoid the Burnout Trap **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Don’t let a fancy espresso machine and a foosball table fool you into repeating your past exhaustion. This episode breaks down how to pivot from a passive applicant to an active auditor so you can uncover a company’s real work culture before signing a contract. Learn the exact operational questions and back-channel strategies needed to protect your boundaries and secure a sustainable [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move. You remember exactly how it felt to hit the wall. The 60-hour weeks piled up, your personal relationships started to fray, and your mental health took a backseat to the constant demands of the job. You pulled yourself out of that wreckage, and as you prepare to re-enter [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), you make a quiet promise to yourself: you will never walk that grueling, workaholic path again. Then, you step into a new company’s lobby for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). There’s a foosball table, a high-end espresso machine, and a team in vintage T-shirts. These surface-level perks are highly effective at disarming applicants. They project the image of a laid-back environment and make you believe the company prioritizes a healthy lifestyle. But those aesthetic choices are often anomalies. A stylish lounge area and a lax dress code can easily mask a highly demanding, uncompromising work culture underneath. Taking a company’s curated visual presentation at face value is a direct path to repeating your past exhaustion. To protect yourself, you have to stop acting like a passive applicant and adopt the mindset of an active auditor. The live [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is your first testing ground. This process is a two-way street, giving you a chance to run your own candidate-led risk assessment. Start by investigating their stated core values. If the company website highlights respect, [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/), and inclusion, ask the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager specifically how those concepts show up in their day-to-day operations. Next, deploy the flexibility test. Ask about their current policies regarding remote or hybrid work arrangements. A rigid rejection of flexible work options usually points directly to an uncompromising, top-down management style that dictates rather than collaborates. But the biggest behavioral red flag happens if the interviewer closes the conversation without inviting you to ask any questions at all. How an employer reacts to your questions in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) room is the truest leading indicator of how they will handle your [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) and respect your boundaries once you are on the payroll. You also have to shift your investigation outside the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) room. Organizations that perpetually burn out their staff leave a visible trail of reputational damage and rapid turnover. Your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) tool here is the whisper network. Search your inner circle and professional contacts to find past or present employees. A quick back-channel conversation provides the unvarnished reality of the job. Ask these insiders strict operational questions. Find out if the staff is actually able to manage their workloads within a standard 40-hour week, and ask how dense the meeting cadence is. You also need to ask about their paid time off. Earning vacation days on a ledger means nothing if the team culture actively penalizes you for using them. Once you finish your back-channel conversations, move to the third phase of your audit: gathering open-source intelligence from online review platforms like Glassdoor and CareerBliss. As you read through the posts, carefully filter out the extremes. Ignore the single angry rant from a disgruntled employee, and be highly skeptical of the flawless, glowing reviews. Look strictly for a dense cluster of complaints regarding workload or management, tuning out isolated dots. Mapping back-channel conversations against these trends cuts through the noise, leaving a clear map of how the company functions when [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) aren’t looking. This audit shifts the primary goal of your search. You are now targeting a sustainable work home—a place that supports your output without demanding your entire identity in exchange. This means finding an environment where [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) growth and personal sanity coexist, rather than competing for your time. “Once burned, twice shy” is your guiding philosophy. Surviving a [toxic environment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/) in the past justifies every single step of this rigorous investigation today. You have the leverage to reject a one-sided corporate dynamic; hold out for an employer that respects the balance of giving and taking. To find more tools and strategies for your job hunt, visit JobSearch.Community. You can access direct [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), comprehensive video courses, and deep-dive guides to help you land the right role. If this audit protocol helped you evaluate your next [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move, please share this video, leave a comment below, and hit the like button. Follow the channel so we can help more professionals find the healthy work environments they deserve. [***How Do You Find a Job When You Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Attitude/Mood **Tags:** Spot and Avoid the Burnout Trap --- ### [AI Fluency Is Becoming a Baseline Skill, Not a Specialty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-fluency-is-becoming-a-baseline-skill-not-a-specialty/) **Published:** July 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The Bar Moved While No One Was Watching **Content:** # AI Fluency Is Becoming a Baseline Skill, Not a Specialty **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Five years ago, listing “AI skills” on a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) meant something specific and rare–machine learning, data science, natural language processing. It signaled deep technical [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/). In 2026, that framing is outdated. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency has quietly shifted from a specialty into a baseline expectation, the professional equivalent of knowing how to use email or navigate a spreadsheet. And most job seekers haven’t caught up to what that shift demands of them. ## The Bar Moved While No One Was Watching Think about how quickly certain skills went from impressive to assumed. Typing was once a specialized clerical skill; now it’s assumed of nearly every office worker. Basic computer literacy was once a differentiator on a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/); now its absence disqualifies you before an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) even starts. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency is following the same trajectory, just compressed into a much shorter timeline. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers in 2026 don’t ask whether you’ve heard of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools. They assume you use them. The real question they’re asking, often without saying it directly, is whether you use them well enough to produce better work faster, or whether you’re leaning on them as a crutch that produces generic, unreliable output. ## Why This Happened So Fast Three forces accelerated this shift simultaneously. - Tool accessibility: Platforms like [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), Claude, and Perplexity became free or cheap enough that using them requires no technical [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/), unlike earlier [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools that demanded coding knowledge. - Workplace normalization: Companies stopped treating [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools as experiments and started building them into everyday workflows like drafting emails, summarizing meetings, screening [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), making non-use conspicuous rather than neutral. - Competitive pressure: Once a critical mass of workers in any field started using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to move faster, everyone else had to adopt it just to keep pace, regardless of personal comfort level. The result is that fluency spread across entire industries in roughly two to three years, a speed almost unheard of for a workplace skill shift. ## What Baseline Fluency Actually Looks Like Baseline [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency isn’t about being able to write a clever prompt. It’s a small set of practical habits. - Knowing which [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool fits which task, since a [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) tool, a writing assistant, and a data analysis tool solve different problems. - Recognizing when [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) output is wrong, generic, or missing context, rather than accepting the first draft as finished work. - Editing [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) output with domain expertise so the final product reflects real judgment, not just polished phrasing. - Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to speed up repetitive parts of a job while still owning the parts that require relationship, negotiation, or strategic thinking. - Explaining, in a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), specifically how you use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) in your current role rather than offering a vague claim of being “comfortable with technology.” That last point matters more than people realize. Interviewers have started probing for specifics because vague [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) claims have become a red flag rather than a selling point. ## The New Differentiator Isn’t Fluency–It’s Judgment Here’s the paradox worth sitting with: because [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency is now baseline, it stops being what makes you stand out. Everyone claims it. Everyone uses it to some degree. What actually separates candidates now is judgment–the ability to know when [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is right, when it’s wrong, and when a task genuinely needs a human’s lived expertise instead of a generated draft. This is good news for experienced professionals who sometimes worry [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) makes their years of experience less relevant. The opposite is closer to true. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools generate options; experienced humans evaluate which option is actually correct for the specific situation. That evaluative skill can’t be prompted into existence. It comes from years of pattern recognition that [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), for all its speed, doesn’t yet replicate reliably. ## What This Means for Your Job Search If you’re navigating a job search in this environment, a few adjustments matter more than general [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) about keeping up with [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). - Stop listing “AI skills” as a bullet point and instead describe a specific outcome you achieved faster or better because of a specific tool. - Prepare a concrete story for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) about a time you caught an AI-generated error or improved on [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) output using your own expertise. - Assume interviewers will ask [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) questions if you mention [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools, so avoid mentioning them unless you can go two levels deep. - Focus skill-building [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) less on learning new [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools and more on sharpening the judgment and domain expertise that [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can’t replace. - Treat [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency as table stakes in your job search strategy, not as the headline of your candidacy. ## The Bottom Line [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) fluency stopped being a specialty because it stopped being optional. The professionals who will struggle in this job market aren’t the ones who lack technical [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) skills. Most of those skills are learnable in an afternoon. The ones who struggle are those who [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) tool familiarity for genuine value, when [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are actually [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for the judgment, context, and expertise that decide whether [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) output is worth trusting in the first place. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** AI Fluency Is Becoming a Baseline Skill Not a Specialty --- ### [Who Are Your Enemies?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/who-are-your-enemies-video/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This is a question that's asked of executive job hunters by senior professionals they are interviewing with. **Content:** # Who Are Your Enemies? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** This is a question that’s asked of executive job hunters by senior professionals they are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with. There is a way to do this [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). Here, I discuss it. [***Top Finance Jobs for Grads***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-muC) One of my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) clients was on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) this past week and was asked this FABULOUS question on their [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I’ll explain why I like it in a moment. The question is, “Who are your enemies?” I coach executive job hunters and, along the way, you will invariably butt heads with people. After all, is not all Kumbaya professionally, right? There are people who you have disagreements with. What a firm is looking for is the story and the texture behind it. I’m not going to go into this person’s story except to say in answering the question, he made a small [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). I just explained how to answer the question past. When he answered the question, he spoke about something that was 10 years in his past without stating that it was 10 years in his past. It is not the problem that he had a disagreement. But, to me, he could’ve done a touch better by just simply saying, “10 years ago I was far less experienced than I am now. I was in a situation where I…” And that he would go on to the rest of the story. In this particular case, he might’ve said, “We had a COO who was eavesdropping on phone calls, reading people’s emails and it was problematic. Ultimately, there was a reason why he was doing it, but he never explained why.” The “miss” here was not being clear that the episode was 10 years in the past, and then talking about the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) he made and how, he made an enemy in the situation. This is only going to be asked of the senior individual. The person who interviewed him , knew the firm, knew the board members involved in the news important that this question be opened up because he would’ve found out about it anyway. That’s the reality for senior professionals. It doesn’t matter where in the country you are, what industry you are in, people know people and there’s always a way to check out the accuracy of what you tell them. Part of your role as an executive in an organization is having the self-awareness to admit that you make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and talk about what you learned from the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that you make. No one expects perfection and had you said, “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever made an enemy in my career,” you would signal to them that you are an idiot. You have to open up about this stuff, but you have to put in a context from years past. Frankly, that’s what most of us make our [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), right? We make more [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) when we were junior, bit more critical [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) when we were less experienced then we do now when we are senior professionals. That’s the way to do it. You contextualize it by talking about something that you did many years ago AND you say it was for many years ago so that they know that for fact (for example, “10 years ago when I was less experience than I am now…”). After you set the context is that being an older event, you tell them how you would have handled it differently now that you have more experience. [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: “Creative Writing”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Zc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, Text, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** Answers to Tough Interview Questions: Who Are Your Enemies?, C level job hunting, c suite job search, executive job search --- ### [Why Do Recruiters Complain About Being Flooded With Resumes?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-do-recruiters-complain-about-being-flooded-with-resumes-thebiggamehuntertv/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Recruiters complain all the time about their inbox being swamped when there are ways around the problem. Why are they complaining? **Content:** # Why Do Recruiters Complain About Being Flooded With Resumes? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) complain all the time about their inbox being swamped when there are ways around the problem. Why are they complaining? ***[What Should I Do If I am Rejected For a Job I Love?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-39w)*** I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), the head coach for TheBigGameHunter.us and welcome. You’re watching and listening to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Radio. Lately I’ve been answering some people’s questions. If you’d like ask me a question [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) answer it, send it to me at TheBigGameHunter@gmail.com. Tell me what your question is; I can’t guarantee I will answer all of them. This 1 came in from someone who asked, “Why do [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) complain about being flooded with [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) when they could [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a minimally viable candidate.” This is the original question, “Why do [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) complain about [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) flooding when they may as well pick a random candidate with minimally viable qualifications and be done with it? Why do they instead have long and drawn out [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) processes?” What was going to answer this question originally, I was thinking about how people buy computers. There’s always a minimally viable computer to do the basics of what you want but that is what we buy. I thought about for 2nd and thought of a better analogy. Is it extending one that I’ve used before. I normally talk about [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is like going on a blind date but nobody use this for answering this question. So why did they not just [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) the minimally viable person? so wanted to just [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) the minimally viable husband or wife? There’s more to the job than just being (wink wink) being minimally viable. There’s more to the relationship than just simply can they do the job. This seems to be the desire to go past that point. Once you’ve gotten the basic stuff there are always secondary qualities and firm start comparing who has what secondary quality that they can use down the road who they like a little bit more, what firms they know someone from that they can back channel and check on… There’s a whole host of different things beyond simply [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) the minimally viable candidate. I want to be clear that I’ve complained about [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for fit for years. I don’t believe that they are capable of doing that. I do believe that they are able to figure out who they are willing to put into meeting situation and present for group. I do believe that they are capable of deciding whether this individual has an upside for their organization. I believe there able to decide who is management material a few years and a whole host of secondary and tertiary qualities that make perfect sense for a firm to evaluate for. So, yes, if the firm gets desperate, they can go for minimally viable , but they would certainly prefer to get more than their money’s worth. Just like you, when you are buying a car, you don’t just settle for, “It’s got 4 wheels. It goes forward. It goes backwards. That’s good enough. It’s a car.” You could buy a small crappy beat up car but most people don’t. They go for something more. The same thing is true here. The other part of this is, “flooded with [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), “most of them aren’t people who are qualified to do the job. You have to go through all of them in order to get to someone who is minimally viable. Part of it is that they are complaining about the process of going through all the crap [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) that in no way shape or form fit the requirements and part it is the firms are trying to get more. [***Their Offer Doesn’t Keep Pace With Inflation***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gSZ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/doing-research-for-the-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally. That can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, management, leadership, career transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. Website: [w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses) Main YouTube: [www.JobSearchTV.com](https://www.JobSearchTV.com) No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio Podcast: [anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio) Video Podcast of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) Twitter: [http://twitter.com/j](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach)[effaltmancoach](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach) Medium: [jeffaltmancoach.medium.com](https://jeffaltmancoach.medium.com) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Recruiters, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Text **Tags:** Make hiring simpler, Why Do Recruiters Complain About Being Flooded With Resumes?, Why Do Recruiters Complain About Being Flooded With Resumes? They Could Hire a Minimally Viable One., why does hiring take so long, why does interviewing drag on --- ### [Resume Objectives #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-5/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six second job search tips about resume objectives **Content:** # Resume Objectives #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/vuD-Wz3qgqY) A six second [job search tips](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-minute-moves-to-shift-your-career-pipeline/) about [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/) ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He was the host and now produces “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts **Tags:** 6 second job search tips, Resume Objectives --- ### [18 Early Career Jobs That Map Well to Finance Majors](https://thebiggamehunter.us/18-early-career-jobs-that-map-well-to-finance-majors/) **Published:** July 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** For finance majors, career mapping is especially valuable because the field offers a broad range of opportunities **Content:** # 18 Early Career Jobs That Map Well to Finance Majors [***From CollegeRecruiter.com***](https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2025/03/11/18-early-career-jobs-that-map-well-to-finance-majors) [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) mapping is the process of strategically planning your professional journey by identifying potential [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) paths, the skills you’ll need, and the steps to achieve your long-term goals. For [finance majors, career mapping](https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2025/01/29/30-of-the-most-popular-college-and-university-majors) is especially valuable because the field offers a broad range of opportunities in banking, investments, corporate finance, and financial planning. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to overlook the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) paths to higher-paying and more specialized roles. With a [finance degree](https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2025/01/29/30-of-the-most-popular-college-and-university-majors), you might start in roles like financial analyst, investment banking associate, credit analyst, or risk management specialist. If you’re interested in personal finance, becoming a financial advisor or wealth manager could be a great fit. Those drawn to corporate finance might pursue roles in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), treasury management, or private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Earning certifications like the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), or FRM (Financial Risk Manager) can open doors to senior roles, such as [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) manager, chief financial officer (CFO), or hedge fund manager. [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) mapping helps you identify the right mix of technical skills, certifications, and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) opportunities to maximize your earning potential and long-term [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). It’s not just about working with numbers—it’s about building a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) that provides stability, growth, and financial impact. - Intern as Financial Analyst or [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) Assistant - Corporate Finance Financial Analyst Internship - Intern in Investment Banking - Revenue Operations in SaaS Company - Junior Tax Associate Role - Support Venture Capital Firms - FinTech Product Intern Opportunity - Real Estate Analyst Internship - Explore FinTech Opportunities - Budgeting Assistant or Financial Coordinator - Financial Planning Assistant Role - Consider a [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in Commercial Banking - Insurance Broker Job for Finance Majors - Debt Collector Role for Finance Students - Stockbroker [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) for Finance Majors - Valuation Analyst Role for Finance Students - Financial Analyst or Investment Banking Analyst - Financial Analyst ### **Intern as Financial Analyst or Research Assistant** If you’re studying finance, jumping into an internship as a financial analyst or as an investment [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) assistant is a smart move. These positions are super useful because they let you put your classroom knowledge to work on real financial data right off the bat—an important step for [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). From my own experience in finance, I know that plugging away at real financial stats and figures can teach you loads about assessing a company’s financial health, spotting market trends, and crunching numbers for valuation analysis. Very useful experience! Becoming skilled and experienced in these areas can be incredible for you. Working alongside senior analysts or as a [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) assistant can also throw you into the deep end of investment strategies and corporate finance decisions. This bit of experience should carve out your understanding of financial market complexities, risk management, and how to build sound investment portfolios. It is an incredible way to hone your problem-solving and important thinking skills. Here’s a tip: Don’t just look for internships that improve your technical know-how in data analysis and financial modeling. Choose roles that also polish your soft skills, like communication and strategic thinking. Trust me, growing a flexible skill set not only boosts your performance in the immediate term but sets you up for long-term [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) in the finance sector. *[Alex Langan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-langan-26017b40/), Chief Investment Officer, [Langan Financial Group](https://langanfinancialgroup.com/)* ### **Corporate Finance Financial Analyst Internship** One excellent job opportunity for college or university students majoring in finance is a financial analyst intern position in a corporate finance department. This position allows students to apply their academic knowledge in a practical, business-driven environment. Working in corporate finance provides exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting within a company, offering a broader understanding of how finance functions support business operations and strategic decision-making. As a financial analyst intern, students gain hands-on experience with financial modeling, conduct variance analysis between actual financial results and budgeted forecasts, and help prepare for quarterly and annual financial audits. This role is instrumental in teaching them how to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights, which is crucial for any finance professional. Additionally, they learn to work with different departments, enhancing their communication skills and understanding of cross-functional collaboration. The experience gained in corporate finance is highly valuable as it provides a comprehensive view of the financial challenges and opportunities within large businesses. It equips students with the skills to manage financial resources effectively, understand regulatory requirements, and contribute to financial strategy discussions. This makes them well-rounded candidates for future roles in various areas of finance, including financial planning and analysis, treasury, and risk management. *[Wes Lewins](https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-lewins-2763ba347), Chief Financial Officer, [Networth](https://networth.com/)* ### **Intern in Investment Banking** One of the most suitable [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for a college or university student majoring in Finance is an internship in investment banking. This role provides a robust platform for [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) theoretical financial principles to real-world scenarios, offering a deep dive into financial markets, securities, and corporate finance. Investment banking internships are highly regarded due to the intensive learning environment they [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), where students can work alongside seasoned professionals on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and other strategic advisory services. This experience is invaluable for finance students as it not only helps solidify their understanding of financial modeling, valuation techniques, and market analysis but also sharpens their quantitative and analytical skills. Additionally, internships in investment banking expose students to a network of industry professionals and potential mentors, which can be crucial for future job opportunities and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advancement. The demanding nature of the job also teaches interns about the importance of work ethic, time management, and under-pressure performance, all of which are critical skills in any finance [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Moreover, securing a position in investment banking, even as an intern, can significantly enhance a student’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), making them more competitive in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) post-graduation. The rigorous [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) and exposure received during the internship provide a strong foundation that can be advantageous in various other finance-related roles, such as asset management, corporate finance, or financial consulting. Thus, an internship in investment banking is not just a job; it’s a pivotal step in a finance student’s [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) development, providing practical experience and professional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) opportunities that are essential for building a successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in finance. *[Emily Tran](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-tran-861a07343), Finance Analyst and Management Specialist, [Maple Worthy](https://mapleworthy.com/)* ### **Revenue Operations in SaaS Company** Working in the revenue operations department of a SaaS company allows students to help forecast revenue trends, fine-tune pricing models, and analyze churn rates. This role bridges the gap between sales and finance, offering valuable insights into financial planning and subscription-based revenue strategies. It also provides hands-on experience with key metrics like customer lifetime value and recurring revenue—vital knowledge in today’s subscription-driven world. Collaborating with different teams hones communication and problem-solving skills, which are essential for any finance [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). It’s a dynamic role that encourages strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making in real-world scenarios. For students aiming to succeed in tech-driven industries, this experience builds strong foundational skills. *[Jeffrey Zhou](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyyzhou/), CEO & Founder, [Fig Loans](https://www.figloans.com/)* ### **Junior Tax Associate Role** I’d lean toward becoming a Junior Tax Associate, even if you want to branch out into something else later. You’ll be knee-deep in taxes, which is super important for any company. The work involves preparing tax returns, conducting [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on tax regulations, and ensuring compliance with ever-changing IRS rules. What’s really appealing about this role is that it offers hands-on experience with real-world financial scenarios. Like, you might find deductions for a client they didn’t even know about or spot ways to cut their tax bill. It really polishes your problem-solving skills and understanding of tax law. Plus, it’s a great stepping-stone to bigger roles like Tax Manager or even CFO someday. A lot of firms will even support your journey to becoming a CPA, which is a major [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) boost. *[Paul Carlson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulwcarlson/), CPA & Managing Partner, [Law Firm Velocity](https://www.lawfirmvelocity.com/)* ### **Support Venture Capital Firms** Students can support venture capital firms by evaluating start-ups’ financial statements, market trends, and scalability potential. This hands-on experience sharpens their financial modeling and risk assessment skills while offering a front-row seat to the world of entrepreneurship. It’s a fantastic way to understand how funding decisions are made and how they impact the future of businesses. The role also provides exposure to fast-paced industries and the opportunity to network with founders and investors. This kind of insight and experience can be a game-changer for any finance student looking to stand out in their future [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). *[Gary Hemming](https://www.linkedin.com/in/commercial-finance/), Owner & Finance Director, [ABC Finance](https://abcfinance.co.uk/)* ### **FinTech Product Intern Opportunity** In my opinion, a FinTech Product Intern is an ideal job for college students majoring in Finance. With the rapid growth of digital payment solutions and blockchain, this role offers a hands-on opportunity to explore the cutting edge of finance and technology. Interns gain experience analyzing financial data, understanding customer behavior, and contributing to product strategies. This combination of analytical and creative work helps finance majors build a diverse skill set that’s valuable across industries. Plus, it’s an exciting way to see how innovation is reshaping the financial world in real-time. It’s the perfect stepping stone for students passionate about both numbers and tech-driven problem-solving. *[Shawn Plummer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnplummer/), CEO, [The Annuity Expert](https://www.annuityexpertadvice.com/)* ### **Real Estate Analyst Internship** For me, one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for a college or university student majoring in Finance is working as a real estate analyst intern or financial analyst intern, especially within the real estate sector. In my opinion, real estate is one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) ways to build wealth, and getting an early start analyzing market trends, property valuations, and investment opportunities can give finance students a serious edge. We rely heavily on market data, financial modeling, and investment analysis to guide clients toward smart real estate decisions. A finance student in this role would gain hands-on experience evaluating properties, understanding cash flow analysis, and even exploring real estate investment strategies like cost segregation for tax benefits, a topic I’ve written about extensively. Another great option? Working as a mortgage assistant or loan processing intern. This gives finance students exposure to lending, interest rates, and underwriting critical areas of financial decision-making that tie directly into real estate and personal wealth-building. Understanding how financing works, from mortgage approvals to risk assessment, is a skill that will pay off for a lifetime, whether they go into banking, real estate investing, or financial planning. *[Adam Chahl](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chahl), Owner / Realtor / Interior Designer, [Vancouver Home Search | Place Real Estate Team | Oakwyn Realty](https://www.vancouverhomesearch.com/)* ### **Explore FinTech Opportunities** It is Fintech for sure. A person with a major in Finance has knowledge about a number of concepts: MPT, DCF, CAPM, etc. Now what? They can put this knowledge to use either in growing or stagnant sectors. For example, brick-and-mortar banking and check processing services are shrinking because they are being replaced with digital alternatives. At the same time, fintech is rapidly evolving. Fundamental Finance education can be empowered by advanced data science and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to reach new breakthroughs. This also means a hundred times more opportunities and much better compensation. *[Dee Choubey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/deechoubey), CEO, [MoneyLion](https://moneylion.com/)* ### **Budgeting Assistant or Financial Coordinator** For a college or university student majoring in Finance, a good position is as a budgeting assistant or financial coordinator role. Ideally, the role is within nonprofits, small businesses, or even on-campus organizations. This position is ideal for finance students because it gives them some real hands-on experience managing budgets, tracking expenses, and helping with financial planning. These are all great skills to build on when starting out with a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in Finance. As a budgeting assistant, that classroom knowledge gets applied to real-life situations when creating financial forecasts, reconciling accounts, and making sure the organization stays within its budget limits. This job helps you develop strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. It also gives you a practical understanding of how financial decisions impact an organization’s operations. *[Paul Bowley](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-bowley-723056101), CEO, [Abbeycare Group](https://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/)* ### **Financial Planning Assistant Role** Based on my experience [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) and mentoring finance students, I believe a Financial Planning Assistant role offers the ideal blend of real-world experience and learning opportunities for Finance majors. I witnessed this firsthand when I hired Sarah, a junior Finance major, as my firm’s Financial Planning Assistant. She helped analyze client financial documents, created basic financial projections, and learned how theoretical concepts from her classes applied to real situations. The flexible hours perfectly complemented her course schedule. What made this role particularly valuable was how it exposed her to various aspects of financial planning—from reviewing tax returns to understanding investment portfolios and retirement accounts. She gained practical experience while building relationships with senior professionals who could mentor her. The skills Sarah developed—attention to detail, analytical thinking, and client communication—proved invaluable when she later interviewed for full-time positions. Multiple [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) noted how her hands-on experience set her apart from other recent graduates. For Finance students, this role offers three key benefits: flexible part-time hours that work around classes, practical [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) of academic concepts, and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) opportunities with financial professionals. *[Julia Rueschemeyer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-rueschemeyer-61650988), Attorney, [Amherst Divorce](https://www.amherstdivorce.com/)* ### **Consider a Career in Commercial Banking** Finance majors should consider a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in commercial banking. Even with the growth of digital banking and fintech, commercial bankers still have an important role in local economies. They help people and businesses get loans, [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) mortgages, and generally help people manage their funds much better. You can choose to be a teller, relationship manager, loan officer or business development officer. It’s analytical and people-focused, so your work will always be meaningful and in demand. *[Gary Gray](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-gray-2b32413/), CEO, [CouponChief.com](https://www.couponchief.com/)* ### **Insurance Broker Job for Finance Majors** An insurance broker is a great job for a finance major in college or university. It provides hands-on experience in risk assessment, financial planning, and client relations. The role involves helping clients find the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) insurance policies based on their needs, which builds strong analytical and communication skills. Another advantage is the flexibility. Many firms [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) part-time or commission-based roles, allowing students to gain practical experience while managing their coursework. The job also introduces them to important financial concepts like risk management and market analysis, which can be useful for future [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) in banking, investment, or financial advising. Beyond the technical knowledge, working as an insurance broker helps develop [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and sales skills. Learning how to understand clients’ financial situations and recommend suitable coverage teaches problem-solving and negotiation, both of which are important in finance-related [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). *[Jessica Shee](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-shee-29747a220/), Tech Editor & Marketing Manager, [M3datarecovery.com](https://www.m3datarecovery.com/)* ### **Debt Collector Role for Finance Students** The job that is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) for a college or university student majoring in finance is a debt collector. This job gives students direct experience working with financial data, understanding cash flow issues, and negotiating payment solutions. Many students assume that collections work is just about making calls, but it requires financial analysis, problem-solving, and an understanding of consumer behavior. This job is valuable because it prepares students for [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) in banking, credit analysis, and risk management. About 75% of finance students who have experience in collections secure [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in financial services within two years of graduating. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) look for candidates who understand financial challenges, and debt collection teaches how to evaluate credit risk, interpret financial statements, and handle difficult customer interactions. These are skills that [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers in lending institutions and corporate finance departments look for when filling positions. *[Sean Clancy](https://au.linkedin.com/in/seanclancynz), Managing Director, [SEO Gold Coast](https://seogoldcoast.com.au/)* ### **Stockbroker Career for Finance Majors** Finance is a fantastic major because of its versatility. Although it can be complex to learn, it provides tons of value for students entering the workforce. In my opinion, it’s [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) to consider what you’re wanting from a job, in order to find the best-suited one. Are you willing to work overtime the first few years of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/)? Are you interested in working in a high-stakes environment? Do you prefer to work with people, or by yourself? Knowing the answers to those questions can help determine which types of finance [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) fit for a college student, as there is no one-size-fits-all [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). *[Bill Lyons](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyons), CEO, [Griffin Funding](https://griffinfunding.com/)* ### **Valuation Analyst Role for Finance Students** In my opinion, one of the best-suited [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for a college or university student majoring in finance is a stockbroker [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). This role offers a dynamic entry point into the financial industry by allowing students to leverage many of the concepts learned in finance courses, such as market analysis, [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) management, and risk assessment. As stockbrokers, students can immediately apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios by evaluating stocks, executing trades, and advising clients on investment opportunities. Moreover, the role is attractive for young professionals because it often requires only a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or business administration and the necessary licensure. This means that a student can begin their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) relatively soon after graduation. The position provides valuable opportunities for developing interpersonal and communication skills through constant interaction with clients and institutional investors. Stockbrokers earn a base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) supplemented by commissions and bonuses. This direct correlation between effort and reward motivates them and gives them an early taste of the tangible impact their decisions can have in the market. For these reasons, a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) as a stockbroker is an excellent choice for a finance major seeking a practical, rewarding, and dynamic start in the financial services industry. *[Peter Bryla](https://linkedin.com/in/peterbryla), Senior Community Manager, [Resume-Now](https://www.resume-now.com/)* ### **Financial Analyst or Investment Banking Analyst** The job that a student majoring in finance should consider is that of a valuation analyst. This role is all about determining the worth of companies, assets, or investments by analyzing financial statements, market trends, and economic conditions. Valuation analysts play an important role in mergers, acquisitions, and investment decisions, making it a great fit for students who enjoy financial modeling and data-driven decision-making. Students who gain experience in valuation analysis have a strong advantage in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). Data shows that students who complete internships receive 16% more job offers than those who do not. Valuation experience is highly valued in corporate finance, investment banking, and private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), giving students a direct path to high-paying and competitive finance roles. *[Barbara Robinson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-robinson-73697546), Marketing Manager, [Weather Solve](https://www.weathersolve.com/)* ### **Financial Analyst** While there isn’t one single “best” job, a Financial Analyst role is often an ideal starting point for finance grads. It offers a broad foundation and exposure to many aspects of finance. You’ll likely be involved in tasks like financial modeling, data analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and preparing reports. This gives you a chance to learn the ropes and figure out which area of finance you enjoy most. Another solid role is as an Investment Banking Analyst. If you are interested in high-stakes finance, your work will involve deal structuring, valuations, and preparing presentations for mergers and acquisitions or IPOs. Demanding but rewarding, offering rapid learning and high earning potential. A third role is as a Hedge Fund Analyst. The work will involve conducting in-depth [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and analysis to identify investment opportunities. It often involves complex financial instruments and strategies. It also requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills. *[Jeff Altman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter), Global [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Coach, [The Big Game Hunter, Inc.](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/)* **Categories:** College Grads **Tags:** 18 Early Career Jobs That Map Well to Finance Majors --- ### [The Era of Fractional Leadership Is Reshaping Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-era-of-fractional-leadership-is-reshaping-hiring/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The era of fractional leadership is here. **Content:** # The Era of Fractional Leadership Is Reshaping Hiring Republished with permission from: Executive Fraction | **The era of [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leadership** is here. [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CTOs, CISOs, Chief Revenue Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, and Chief People Officers are no longer viewed as temporary exceptions. They are becoming a practical way for companies to access experienced leadership without immediately taking on the cost and commitment of a full time executive [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). The economics of business have changed. Companies still need strong leadership, strategic [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), and systems that are designed and operated effectively. What is changing is how they access that expertise. As companies focus on profitability, cash flow, forecasting, fundraising, and strategic growth, many are realizing they do not need a full time CFO from day one. They need experienced financial leadership at the right stage of the business. A [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) CFO brings financial discipline and strategic perspective without the immediate cost of a permanent executive [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). Similarly, a scaling company may engage a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Chief Operating Officer to streamline internal operations, or a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Chief Revenue Officer to build out sales infrastructure and optimize the go to market motion. For example, a growing technology company may not need a full time CTO yet, but it may need a seasoned leader to define the product roadmap, strengthen engineering processes, and [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) its first technical leaders. A [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) CTO can help build that foundation while the company scales. A company preparing for a major launch may need a Chief Marketing Officer to clarify its [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/), build a go to market strategy, and develop a demand generation engine. A [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) CMO can lead that work for six or twelve months without requiring the company to make a permanent executive commitment before it is ready. The same is true for cybersecurity and people operations. A mid sized company facing enterprise security requirements may bring in a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) CISO to create a security framework, prepare for customer due diligence, and guide its internal technology team. A rapidly growing organization may engage a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Chief People Officer to establish compensation practices, performance management, leadership development, and a scalable [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. Recruiting is evolving in the same direction. Firms are becoming more open to container, subscription, and project based recruiting arrangements that cost a fraction of the traditional 25 to 30 percent contingent fee model that has dominated the industry for decades. At the same time, the candidate market has changed. More professionals are independent, entrepreneurial, and intentional about how they work. Remote work gave many people a new perspective on flexibility, autonomy, and quality of life. Many are reluctant to give that up. This creates real tension for organizations mandating a return to the office. Large banks, investment firms, and other [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) may say, “We pay for this office space, so we want employees here.” Candidates increasingly respond, “Then I may look elsewhere.” **The companies that will win in this environment will not simply insist on the old model. They will rethink how they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), how they engage leadership, how they structure work, and how they create value for both the business and the people they want to attract.** **Categories:** Fractional Work/Consulting, Text **Tags:** The Era of Fractional Leadership Is Reshaping Hiring --- ### [Career Mistakes: Not Having a Conversation When Receiving a Call](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-mistakes-not-having-a-conversation-when-receiving-a-call/) **Published:** July 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Your contempt for recruiters sometimes will bite you in the butt. **Content:** # Career Mistakes: Not Having a Conversation When Receiving a Call from a Recruiter #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/1F1zxW67Ps4)*** Your contempt for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) sometimes will bite you in the butt. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Recruiters Are Not Your Friends***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5OS) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). 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Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Career Mistakes: Not Having a Conversation When Receiving a Call --- ### [The 10000 Hour Rule and Job Hunting #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-10000-hour-rule-and-job-hunting-shorts/) **Published:** July 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop playing the amateur—it's time to build proper interview skills and take control of your career. **Content:** # The 10000 Hour Rule and Job Hunting #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You spend decades mastering your profession, but expecting that to magically make you good at job hunting is a delusion. Corporate [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) work for the employer, not you, leaving you at a massive disadvantage in a system designed to benefit them. Stop playing the amateur—it’s time to build proper [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) skills and take control of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, #Shorts **Tags:** The 10000 Hour Rule and Job Hunting --- ### [How Effective Is The Easy Apply Button On Most Job Sites?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/) **Published:** July 28, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** LinkedIn and most job boards have an "easy apply" feature available to you. How effective are they? **Content:** # How Effective Is The Easy Apply Button On Most Job Sites? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and most job boards have an “easy apply” feature available to you. How effective are they? [***LinkedIn: Respond to LinkedIn InMails***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2pK) [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Easy apply, Easy apply on job boards, Easy apply on job sites, How effective is easy apply, How Effective Is The Easy Apply Button On Most Job Sites?, LinkedIn easy apply --- ### [Act As If #quotes #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/act-as-if-nobscoachingadvice-com-quotes-shorts/) **Published:** July 27, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This is a wonderful reminder from William James . . . In six seconds. You have time for six seconds, don't you? **Content:** # Act As If #quotes #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/voh-88LLHKA) This is a wonderful reminder from William James . . . In six seconds. You have time for six seconds, don’t you? [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://youtu.be/yHDQeCy3n2Y) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Quotes, #Shorts, No B. S. Coaching Advice **Tags:** Inspirational quote's, Motivation quotes, William James --- ### [Why You Were Turned Down: You Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-were-turned-down-you-put-too-much-pressure-on-yourself-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/) **Published:** July 27, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This show points to how, sometimes, people put too much pressure on themselves. **Content:** # Why You Were Turned Down: You Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **This show points to how, sometimes, people put too much pressure on themselves.** I‘m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and I coach people and organizations to be more effective. And that can basically translate into helping with a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), with [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), being more effective in the workplace, being a more effective manager—a whole host of different things that translates into [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) people and organizations to be effective in their work environment. I’m also the head coach for [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) And I want to start a series about why people get turned down for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). ‘Cause Lord knows, in my [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in search, I heard a million reasons. And I’m not going to go through the ones like you weren’t qualified, you made [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) on the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), nothing along those lines. I want to go through some of the other reasons why people get turned down. And one reason—and this is a hard one for people to hear—but they put too much pressure on themselves. They over-prepare, they overthink situations instead of being themselves. Now, I’ll give an example from someone I coached recently who came to me because he would get through three, four, five rounds of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), get to the final, get turned down. And, you know, he gave me a story about how he had been on one [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for 10, 12 hours, came in for the final round of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and people said, “Wow, no one’s ever [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for like this before. You were terrific!” And then they didn’t [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) him. Why? Why didn’t they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) him? And part of that involved the amount of pressure he put on himself to perform. You see, people want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) individuals that they know, like, trust, and respect. They’re not [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) data robots. They’re not [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people who purely are going to regurgitate facts to them. They want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) effective people who they like. And by over-preparing, you put too much pressure on yourself so that it’s hard for them to really connect with you person to person. You see, when organizations [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), they want to believe that they can trust someone. That person also needs to be qualified, obviously. They need competence, [self-confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), character, chemistry, maybe a little bit of [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/). But it all translates into, you know, you add this up, you put it in the pot, you cook it for a while, and it translates into, “We trust this person can do the job.” By putting too much pressure on yourself, you’re not yourself. You’re not performing at a high level. You’re able to give them a bunch of facts most of the time. Sometimes you’re going to freeze. And you just need to relax and trust that you have the background that can do the role. And if you can’t, then you shouldn’t be hired. It’s okay. But when you put too much pressure on yourself, you’re not at your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this helpful. Visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us, where I’ve got thousands of posts that you can watch, listen to, or read that are going to help you be more effective in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), in your work environment, with [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), and a host of different things. Also want to mention, if you’re interested in 1-on-1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me, contact me through [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2FTheBigGameHunter). Mention that you saw the video, ’cause I like knowing that I’m going to help some folks. Once connected, we’ll set up time for a free discovery call. So again, [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community)[. Join me there, take some coaching from me.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Rejection, Text **Tags:** Why You Were Turned Down: You Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself --- ### [No BS Career Advice: July 26, 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-26-2026/) **Published:** July 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: July 26, 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Specialization](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Specialization.png) Last week, I released my newest book is out I’m offering it for 50% off. “[Networking for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD)” It’s targeted for those of us who think of “working a crowded room” or “hopping on a quick call” with a stranger sick to their stomach. The examples come from my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) practice and have been completely anonymized. The price is currently $4.99 and will double at the end of this week. Take me up on the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and don’t miss out. ## How to Make the System Give You Interviews [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) We all know that the traditional [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is broken. Most people spend hours tweaking [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) fonts, running text through [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools, and pushing PDFs into online corporate portals. They treat the process like a raffle, hoping more tickets mean a win. It wasn’t working before [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and it certainly isn’t working well now. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) online puts you in a low-yield, automated pool. Your background is turned into raw text and evaluated by software designed to eliminate people, not discover them. If you want a steady stream of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), stop being a reactive job hunter. Take on an operator mindset. Build real leverage, skip the public portals, and connect directly with decision-makers. Here is a strategy to control your pipeline and force a human review. ### 1. Referral Arbitrage: Bypassing the Front Door Before you start [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), understand why you are doing it. You aren’t reaching out to pick anyone’s brain. You are executing **Referral Arbitrage**. Companies rank inbound [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) channels through a hierarchy: - **Tier 1 (Internal Employee Referrals):** Sourced directly through an active employee’s internal portal. The software routes these directly to a recruiter’s manual review dashboard, giving them the highest priority and skipping automated keyword filters entirely. - **Tier 2 (Direct [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Sourcing):** Originates from direct [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) outreach or manual profile pulls. These carry medium priority and move straight to initial human screening calls. - **Tier 3 (Public Portal Submissions):** Submitted through standard online job boards and corporate [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pages. These receive the lowest priority, running through automated keyword screening and mass rejection rules before a human ever sees them. When an employee submits your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) through an internal system, the software tags your file. In Imany systems, this tag overrides the automated rejection filters. It drops your profile right onto the recruiter’s desk for a manual look. Remember: companies pay employees real money for referrals, often $1,000 to $5,000+. When you present an employee with a sharp, verified background that fits an open role, you are handing them a financial win. Your goal is simple: secure that Tier 1 tag before your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) ever touches the database. ### 2. Networking for Extroverts: The Ecosystem Strategy If you get [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) from talking to people, your edge is speed and scale. But extroverts often fail by being too broad, too social, and unfocused. To turn social [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into real [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), discipline your approach: ### Target the Ecosystem Don’t just reach out to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers. Connect with the service providers around them. Industry consultants, agency directors, vendor reps, and specialized [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) know which companies are [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) long before a position is posted online. ### Use the “Forwardable Asset” Stop asking people for “coffee chats.” It creates unnecessary friction. Instead, when asking for an introduction, give your contact a **Forwardable Asset**: > *“Hi \[Contact\], I noticed you’re connected with \[[Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Manager\] at \[Company\]. I’m following their current infrastructure rollout. Having led a similar project at my last firm, I put together a 1-page breakdown on how we avoided deployment delays. Would you be open to forwarding the short note below to them? I wrote it so you can copy and paste it.”* You remove all the work for your contact. You present yourself as a valuable peer instead of someone looking for a handout. ### 3. Networking for Introverts: Asynchronous Deep Research If traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) makes you cringe, don’t force it. You don’t need to go to mixers, make small talk, or schedule awkward phone calls. Your edge is deep preparation, independent [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), and precise writing. You can get more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) than an extrovert by running a quiet **Asynchronous Strategy**. ### The Boardroom Diagnostic Use public data to analyze a company’s real problems. Read their earnings reports, review executive [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), or look at competitor moves. Find a specific problem you know how to fix. Send a short, direct message to a peer or manager: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s expansion into mid-market software integration this quarter. Having managed that shift previously, I’ve seen that data sync logic often leaks about 14% in workflow speed by month three if teams aren’t decoupled early. I put together a 1-page framework on how we protected our metrics against that drag. No strings attached—let me know if you want me to send the notes over.”* ### The Asynchronous Value Exchange Look at what this does: - It needs **zero live interaction** (no calls or coffee requested). - It shows **clear proof of work** instead of self-promotion. - It gives **immediate value** with no pitch. When a manager reads this, they see a specialist who understands their problems. They don’t send you to HR. They ask, *“When can you talk to our team?”* ### 4. The 80/20 Rule for Applying To get more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), manage your time strictly using the **80/20 Rule**: - **80% of your time:** Direct outreach, creating forwardable assets, writing targeted diagnostics, and securing Tier 1 internal referral tags. - **20% of your time:** Online portal submissions, only after formatting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for clean text parsing and fit. ### The Bottom Line Getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) isn’t about luck or beating an algorithm. It’s about positioning. Stop handing [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) over to job boards and databases. Run your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) like an executive campaign: use internal referral incentives, play to your natural communication strengths, and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) real solutions. That is how you bypass the software, skip the line, and take control. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Over the past week I released a number of new blog posts, including: **8 Ways Job Hunters [Sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) Their Own Search** Excerpt: Job hunting is hard enough without becoming your own worst enemy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down eight common ways job seekers unconsciously undermine their own efforts and how to fix them. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-sabotage-their-own-search/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-sabotage-their-own-search/) **[Laid Off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) At a Company That Has Announced Cuts of Poor Performers #shorts** Excerpt: There are cuts at companies that have announced layoffs of poor performers. Here’s what to do. Link: **The Strength of [Weak Ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/) in Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: This episode breaks down the science of “weak ties” and gives you a step-by-step strategy for leveraging distant acquaintances and professional contacts to unlock hidden opportunities. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/) **Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People? #shorts** Excerpt: Finding out an employer has already interviewed dozens of candidates can feel discouraging. My answer will surprise you. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-you-apply-if-theyve-interviewed-a-lot-of-people-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-you-apply-if-theyve-interviewed-a-lot-of-people-shorts/) **What to Do If You Hate Your Job** Excerpt: Waking up every morning dreading your work is an exhausting way to live, but making a panic-driven exit often leads right into another bad situation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out a strategic, No BS plan to regain control, protect your mental sanity, and build a quiet transition strategy while you’re still on the payroll. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-job/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-job/) **2 Huge Final [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Blunders** Excerpt: Don’t you feel great when you’re scheduled back for a final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Too often, people commit these blunders before going back for the final. Link: **[Stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) #shorts** Excerpt: A six second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tip about managing your [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/). Link: **The Disengaged Interviewer** Excerpt: EP 3094 Have you ever been interviewed by someone who isn’t paying attention? I know I wasn’t perfect when I interviewed people. Here’s how to deal with it. Link: **[Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Not Quantifying Your Impact #shorts** Excerpt: Leaving metrics off your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) makes your accomplishments look like basic job duties. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details why failing to quantify your impact costs you [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and how to inject clear, high-signal data into every bullet point. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-not-quantifying-your-impact-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-not-quantifying-your-impact-shorts/) **The Executive Playbook: Navigating a C Suite Transition** Excerpt: Stepping into a C-suite role requires a total shift from tactical execution to strategic leadership and enterprise influence. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the onboarding and transition playbook [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) must follow to establish immediate authority. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-executive-playbook-navigating-a-c-suite-transition/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-executive-playbook-navigating-a-c-suite-transition/) **[Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) Are Courting Less-Educated Workers — Finally — But They Aren’t Offering Pay Increases** Excerpt: While companies are opening doors for workers without traditional degrees, the shift isn’t translating to higher compensation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) analyzes this labor market dynamic and provides a reality check on how non-degreed candidates can [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) fair compensation. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/employers-are-courting-less-educated-workers-finally-but-they-arent-offering-pay-increases/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/employers-are-courting-less-educated-workers-finally-but-they-arent-offering-pay-increases/) **[AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for [Introverts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-network-successfully-as-an-introvert-without-faking-it/): High Quality [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) Wins** Excerpt: Most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to take a highly extroverted back door—blasting your network, attending exhausting mixers, or cold-calling old colleagues to ask for a vague favor. For an introvert, this approach is a massive energetic drain. Instead of letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you with synthetic enthusiasm, use it to execute deep, surgical diagnostic [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s public pain points and approach decision-makers with real solutions. Link: **How to Time Your [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Follow-Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: Timing your post-interview [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) correctly can mean the difference between staying top-of-mind and coming across as desperate or intrusive. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the precise cadence and communication channels to keep your momentum going without creating friction. Link: **Why [Self-Marketing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-self-marketing-fails-stop-selling-start-solving/) Fails: Stop Selling Start Solving** Excerpt: Most people completely fail at [self-marketing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-self-marketing-fails-stop-selling-start-solving/) because they [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) it for arrogant bragging instead of demonstrating value. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to shift your posture from self-promotion to problem-solving, turning your expertise into an undeniable asset for target [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Link: **[20 Years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) From Now #shorts** Excerpt: Reflecting on Mark Twain’s famous insight about regret, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a brief, high-impact reminder on why playing it safe in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) often costs more in the long run than taking calculated risks and pursuing real professional leverage. Link: **Finding Where [The Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) is Hiding** Excerpt: Over 70% of high-paying roles are filled long before an internal description is ever posted to a job board. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out how to locate unadvertised organizational deficits, intercept hidden budget allocations, and connect directly with [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) decision-makers before a position hits the open market. Link: **3 Prep Tools to Fix Your [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Weaknesses #shorts** Excerpt: Generic [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) prep is a waste of time that won’t get you hired in today’s market. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down three powerful platforms—covering speech habits, company-specific tailoring, and anonymous technical grilling—that act like a flight simulator to fix your exact weak points before a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager ever sees them. Link: **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): July 19, 2026** Excerpt: In this comprehensive Q&A round-up, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) answers real questions from job seekers and professionals, addressing [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions, [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) screening traps, executive positioning, and how to maintain total leverage when navigating corporate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) hurdles. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) **[Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Don’t Fill That Many [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) #shorts** Excerpt: Relying solely on external headhunters and agency [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to find your next position is a massive structural [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a stark industry stat on how few roles third-party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) actually fill, urging candidates to take control of their own direct pipeline. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) **The Top 10 Highest Paying Marketing [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)** Excerpt: Marketing isn’t just about creative execution; at the highest compensation tiers, it is entirely about revenue alignment and market dominance. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details the top ten highest-paying marketing leadership roles and the core diagnostic value required to command those executive packages. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-highest-paying-marketing-jobs/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-highest-paying-marketing-jobs/) **5 Dumb [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Job Hunters Make WAY Too Often** Excerpt: From handing over all your leverage too early to treating [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) like passive interrogations, most job hunters repeatedly fall into preventable traps. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes five critical errors candidates make throughout their search and how to correct them immediately. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-dumb-mistakes-job-hunters-make-way-too-often/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-dumb-mistakes-job-hunters-make-way-too-often/) ***Books and Guides by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*** ***Available on Amazon*** *[Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed (coming soon)* [*“Networkinging for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [***No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [***Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [***101 Ways to Find Job Leads***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [***Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [***Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [***The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [***LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [***Finding a Job After You Graduate College***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [***Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [***The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Pro«le Strategy in the AI Era***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [***Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [***ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [***Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [***From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [***Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [***Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [***Final Interview Preparation***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [***No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [***Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) All of them cost less than $10. Many are available for 99 cents \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: July 26 2026 --- ### [What’s the Best Question to Ask at the End of an Interview?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interviews-whats-the-best-question-to-ask-at-the-end-of-an-interview-jobsearchradio-com/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # What’s the Best Question to Ask at the End of an Interview? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Answering a Facebook follower’s question, I [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/) the best question to ask at the end of an interview I’ve referred to the single Best question you should ask on any interview and I did a Google hangout about it some time ago.The image isn’t all that good (it was 1 of my 1st hangouts) so I decide to we do that video here. What is the single best question you should ask on any interview and when should you ask? Real simple. Let me start off with what the typical interview seems like. It starts with them going, “Tell me about yourself.” Then you do. And then you play interview karate for a while. They throw up a question that you that feels like a punch and you have to block it away. They throw another one about you and you have to use I a hip check to throw them over your shoulder. Back and forth and back and forth.. If you are in a profession where there in-depth questions that could be asked, they will get to that until finally they will say, “So, do you have any questions for us?” You say, “Tell me about the job..” They do that.. You do that and say, “That’s interesting!” They say, “Great! Will get back to you.” That’s the typical interview. Let me tell you what the single Best question is and when to ask it. You walk in and sit down and as you lower your butt into the chair. Before they have a chance to speak, you say, “I appreciate that you made time to meet with me today. I reviewed the position description and it was really interesting to me. But I want to get your take on the job. Could you tell me about the position as you see it and what I can do to help?” BOING! What that does is, instead of waiting until the end of the interview to ask them about the job, you do it at the beginning of the interview before they get role in. You do that because, at the end of the interview, there is really nothing that you can do with that information. But sometimes, even if you see the job description, they’ve often changed it a little bit, Your [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) have morphed, they start looking at it differently and they’ve never changed the formal requirements. So even if you got this description from a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/as-a-recruiter-what-are-the-most-important-things-you-look-for-shorts/), it may be slightly different or even wrong. Thus by asking this question, “I took a look at the job description, and was really interesting to me,, but I want to get your take on the job. Could you tell me about the position as you see it and what I can do to help you?” You get the information at the beginning when you can use it. Thus, every time they are asking you a question, you want to tailor your answer to what matters to them and not just talk about what you’ve done, but talk about what you’ve done that relates to what they are looking for from you. This gives you a huge advantage over your competition which is sitting there like lumps waiting until the end to ask about the job. Now, you get this information at the beginning when you can use it. Ah! There is one small problem. Now that you can’t ask about the job at the end, you need to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) with questions to replace the one about the job, right? Here’s what you do. When they ask you, “So, do you have any questions for us here,” you say, “The job seems great to me. I’m really interested. I do have a few questions. Is my 1st question: let’s say I join, what would your expectations be, what would I be doing over the 1st 30, 60 and 90 days after I join?” If you find out there are unreasonable expectations, isn’t it better for you to know before you join? That’s one question you can ask. Here’s the 2nd one that I have also shared in another video and podcast. “Let’s say I join and it is a year from now. I have just done a good job, It’s been the best, or at least 1 of the best you have seen someone perform. What I’ve accomplished during that year that would cause you to write such a review?” BOING! Right off the bat, It lets them know that you are interested in doing great work, not average work. Again, it’s giving them an idea of you AND it’s giving you the idea of what you are going to be doing over that 1st year that would cause you to be an extraordinary employee. It’s a great question. I hope you like it. I hope you use these in your interviews. [***How Do You Find a Job When You Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-2-2027/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Text --- ### [How to Follow Up Without Being Annoying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-follow-up-without-being-annoying/) **Published:** July 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the three-step "Value-First Ping" framework to get responses from high-level decision-makers without looking desperate. **Content:** # How to Follow Up Without Being Annoying **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop sending useless “just checking in” emails that create immediate homework for busy professionals. If you want to build real professional trust, you need to deposit value before you ever ask for a withdrawal. This episode breaks down the three-step “Value-First Ping” framework to get responses from high-level decision-makers without looking desperate. [***How Do You Find a Job When You Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3200 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Follow Up, #Shorts **Tags:** How to Follow Up Without Being Annoying --- ### [I Retired and Need to Return to Work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-retired-and-need-to-return-to-work-video/) **Published:** August 30, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Someone asked for advice about returning to work after having retired and get out of the labor force for the past 15 years. **Content:** # I Retired and Need to Return to Work **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Someone asked for advice about returning to work after having retired and get out of the labor force for the past 15 years. [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) and succeeding in your [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Over 50, Retirement **Tags:** Finding a job after being retired, I Retired and Need to Return to Work, Retired, Retirement, Returning to work after retirement, Unretiring --- ### [8 Ways Job Hunters Sabotage Their Own Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Job hunting is hard enough without becoming your own worst enemy. **Content:** # 8 Ways Job Hunters Sabotage Their Own Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is hard enough without becoming your own worst enemy. After decades in recruiting and 11 years [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) people through [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transitions, I’ve watched talented, qualified people stall out, not because the market rejected them, but because they quietly undercut their own efforts. [Self-sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/) rarely looks dramatic. It shows up as small, repeated choices that feel safe or efficient in the moment and cost weeks or months of unnecessary struggle. ## The “Spray and Pray” Method Many job seekers believe volume equals results, so they fire off [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) to hundreds of postings with little regard for fit. This approach floods your time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into low-probability opportunities while starving the handful of roles where you’d actually be competitive. Focusing on 20 to 30 well-researched target [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) produces far better outcomes than blasting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) everywhere. ## The “I’m Open to Anything” Trap Telling [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and your network you’re “open to anything” feels flexible, but it actually signals you don’t know what you want or are desperate. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are looking for specialists who solve a specific problem, not generalists who could theoretically fit ten different roles. Naming the specific titles, industries, or functions you’re targeting makes it dramatically easier for people to help you. ## One-Size-Fits-All Resumes and Applications Sending the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to every opening, regardless of the job description, is one of the most common ways people quietly sabotage themselves. [Applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) and human reviewers are scanning for language that mirrors the posting, and a generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) rarely clears that bar. Tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to each role’s specific requirements takes more time upfront but multiplies your response rate. ## Avoiding Networking Many job hunters rely almost exclusively on job boards while ignoring the relationships that actually produce most hires. This is a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) I see constantly: people treat [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) as optional or uncomfortable rather than as the core engine of a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Weak-tie relationships–acquaintances, former colleagues, industry contacts–often surface opportunities that never get posted publicly, so avoiding this channel is a direct form of [self-sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/). ## Inconsistent Effort (“On Again, Off Again”) Job searching in bursts–intensely active for a few days, then disappearing for a week–breaks momentum and signals disorganization to yourself and others. Consistency matters more than sporadic motivation. Blocking a set hour or two daily for search activities, even when you don’t feel like it, keeps pipelines moving and prevents the search from stretching on indefinitely. ## Trash-Talking Past Employers Venting [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) about a previous boss, manager, or company during [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) or [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) conversations is tempting but corrosive. No [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager wants to bring on someone who complains about their last workplace, because they assume you’ll eventually complain about theirs. Framing past experiences around growth, lessons learned, and achievements—rather than grievances—protects your reputation and keeps the conversation forward-focused. ## Ignoring the Job Description Skimming past the actual requirements and responsibilities in a posting, then [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) anyway, wastes your time and the employer’s. This mismatch shows up quickly in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) when someone can’t speak to the specific qualifications listed. Reading the posting carefully and explicitly addressing its language in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) shows respect for the process and improves your odds significantly. ## Negative Self-Talk and Impostor Syndrome Fear of failure, fear of [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), and persistent negative self-talk are internal forms of [self-sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/) that show up externally in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) conversations. Candidates who don’t believe they’re qualified tend to undersell their accomplishments, hedge their language, or avoid pursuing roles they’re actually capable of landing. Perfectionism compounds this—waiting until a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) feels “perfect” before submitting delays action indefinitely. ## Bad Habits Around Timing Bookmarking interesting postings “to apply later” instead of acting immediately is a subtle but costly habit. Data shows people who apply within the first 48 hours of a posting going live are roughly eight times more likely to land an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) compared to those who wait. Delay doesn’t just cost you time. It often costs you the opportunity entirely, since many roles fill from the earliest, strongest applicants. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Tip for a Successful Video Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mjC) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Mistakes, Text **Tags:** 8 Ways Job Hunters Sabotahe Their Own Job Search --- ### [How to Work 3 Months a Year Without Ruining Your Retirement](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-work-3-months-a-year-without-ruining-your-retirement/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** We break down the 11 best seasonal gigs on the market and how to choose the right one **Content:** # How to Work 3 Months a Year Without Ruining Your Retirement **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop trading your hard-earned retirement freedom for year-round part-time grunt work just to keep up with inflation. The 90-day seasonal sprint lets you inject fast cash into your savings during peak seasons, leaving the remaining nine months of the year entirely yours. In this episode, we break down the 11 [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) seasonal gigs on the market and how to choose the right one without destroying your physical health or triggering costly Social Security penalties. Here is the verbatim transcript of the video structured into appropriate paragraphs: A fixed pool of savings can only stretch so far against modern expenses. Between inflation, climbing property taxes, and the cost of travel, the money you set aside for retirement is constantly being eroded. The traditional response is to go out and get a permanent part-time job. But signing on for year-round work immediately trades away the exact freedom you retired to enjoy. That leaves the 90-day seasonal sprint. You work intensely for a single busy season, and then you clock out completely. By picking up a short-term contract, you can precisely close your annual financial gap without surrendering your calendar for the other nine months of the year. But before you apply, there is a hidden [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) if you are under the age of 67: the Social Security earnings limit. Your goal is the 3-month sweet spot. In 2026, the strict earnings limit is $24,480. Crossing that line triggers government benefit withholding. Additionally, there is another constraint. Accepting a job that pays well but wrecks your joints or spikes your blood pressure defeats the purpose. To navigate these hurdles, we can filter the 11 [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) seasonal gigs on the market through three distinct retiree lifestyle profiles. Matching a seasonal job directly to your specific profile ensures you maximize your profit while minimizing the physical penalty. The first profile is the Remote and Sedentary Optimizer. This is for those prioritizing maximum hourly pay from the comfort of their own home. This matrix breaks down your options. Tax-season preparers hit $24.31 an hour using mental input. The tradeoff: severe [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) approaching April 15th. Remote customer service pays $20.59 an hour with zero commute, but requires managing frustrated holiday shoppers in a strictly noise-free home. Online academic tutors pull in premium rates, averaging $25.54 an hour by leveraging deep subject-matter expertise. But to get that rate, you have to master video conferencing platforms, and your weekly hours will fluctuate wildly based on student demand. Seasonal bookkeepers earn $23.66 an hour for highly concentrated sprints at the end of financial quarters. The cost is extreme deadline pressure and absolutely zero margin for data entry errors. ***Unretired: How Highly Effective People Live Happily Ever After*** Remote optimizers successfully eliminate physical exhaustion, but they accept high mental strain and intense screen time in return. The second profile is the Lifestyle and Outdoor Snowbird. You are seeking travel subsidies and location independence over raw cash. National and state park campground hosts secure an incredible subsidy: free RV hookups in beautiful locations across the country. You trade cash for that view. Actual compensation is often just a small stipend, and you are burdened with being always on duty to tourists. Ski resort lift attendants secure free family ski passes and integrate right into a vibrant resort community. To earn passes, you’ll stand in freezing weather for early morning shifts and navigate the prohibitively high cost of living in resort towns. Golf course starters enjoy a low-stress outdoor environment, plus the benefit of free rounds of golf during their off-hours. The base pay is lower, usually $13 to $18 an hour, and your shift consistency is entirely dependent on good weather. Vineyard and harvest workers step into a highly concentrated work window, gaining deep immersion in the local agricultural community. This carries the highest physical toll on the list, requiring extreme bending, heavy lifting, and massive outdoor stamina. Outdoor snowbirds treat lifestyle perks as their primary currency, accepting lower hourly pay and higher physical demands to fund their travels. The third profile is the Community and Hustle Socialite. You want to get out of the house, stay active, and socialize locally. Holiday retail associates benefit from immediate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) availability, extreme shift flexibility, and valuable store discounts. The tradeoff is physical exhaustion. You will stand on concrete floors for hours while navigating chaotic holiday crowds. Event and stadium security staff get a unique perk: getting paid to experience live sports and concerts. You will work late-night shifts, and your income is completely unpredictable, tied directly to the venue’s event calendar. Seasonal package delivery drivers earn excellent pay, averaging $21.57 an hour, and enjoy the independence of working without a manager hovering over them. You pay for that independence with fast-paced physical wear and tear on your knees and back, plus the risks of weather-dependent driving. Community hustlers secure extreme schedule flexibility, but they must physically endure the chaotic pace of their local peak seasons. To find your perfect match, you have to weigh the hourly pay directly against the physical toll. This quadrant chart visualizes your choices. Remote optimizer [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) like tax prep and customer service sit in the top left: high pay, low physical exertion. The lifestyle [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) land in the bottom right; they require a higher physical toll for less cash, but they carry hidden lifestyle subsidies. And the community hustle [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) push into the extreme top right, delivering high pay but demanding very high physical effort. The optimal seasonal job requires matching the gig’s true currency—whether cash, perks, or socialization—with your specific physical capacity and earning limits. To start finding the specific roles that fit your profile, head over to JobSearch.community. There’s a lot more to help you at JobSearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services a la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave the comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. ***[Never Retire: Reinvent Yourself for Life’s Second Half](https://amzn.to/4bKlcon)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS job search [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes job search and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and job search [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your job search at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your job search at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Retirement **Tags:** How to Work 3 Months a Year Without Ruining Your Retirement --- ### [What’s Your Past Performance Promises #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-your-past-performance-promises-shorts/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # What’s Your Past Performance Promises #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** It isn’t that your past performance is why you get hired. ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, #Shorts **Tags:** What’s Your Past Performance Promises --- ### [Gym Grind is Like Job Search Grind #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There’s one thing I know about the gym that translates into the job search  **Content:** # Gym Grind is Like Job Search Grind #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** There’s one thing I know about the gym that translates into the job search ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice --- ### [Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/) **Published:** June 24, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3103 The reality is simple: recruiters and hiring managers are checking you out online before they even think about an interview. **Content:** # Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3103 The reality is simple: **[recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers** ***are*** **checking you out online** before they even think about an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). This episode gives you the hard truth and the specific, actionable steps you need to take to audit and clean up your digital [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), especially on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and other key platforms. Stop letting an unmanaged digital footprint [sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Learn how to craft a powerful, professional online image that opens doors instead of slamming them shut. [***Why So Many Interviews?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouh) So, you’re on the job hunt, right? And you’ve probably spent hours, maybe even days getting that [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) just perfect. But what if I told you the game has completely changed? Let’s get into it. Because that [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) you’re trying to make? Well, it’s happening way before anyone even sees your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Okay, so you’ve polished it, you’ve triple-checked it, and you finally hit sand on that [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). You’re feeling pretty good. But what really happens in that moment? A [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager sees your name. I’ll give you a hint. It’s probably not what you’re picturing. Yep. Before they even open that [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) you so carefully crafted, they’re already online. This isn’t a maybe. It’s pretty much standard procedure now. They are absolutely going to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) you on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and you better believe they’re going to Google you. They’re trying to get a quick read on who you are professionally before they invest time in the paperwork. So, let’s just call this what it is. The pre-interview check. It’s a whole new step in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. You know how a firm handshake used to be that first, crucial impression? Well, today, your digital footprint is that handshake. It’s the silent introduction you’re making long before you ever get to say a word. For the longest time, the whole [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) world revolved around a single document. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). That was the old focus. But the new reality? It’s so much bigger. It’s your entire digital footprint. Everything from your professional profiles to what you share, what others say about you. It’s the whole shebang. Alright, so where are they actually looking? Well, it almost always boils down to two key places. ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** First, your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. That’s a given. They want to see your history, your connections, and what kind of things you’re talking about. Then they’ll do a quick Google search, just to see what else is out there. The key is making sure that what they find tells the right story for the job you want. Okay, so we’ve established they’re going to look you up online. Now, the goal here isn’t just to have a clean [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). No, no. The real pro move is to actively use this to your advantage. It’s about turning your profile from a static, boring page into a dynamic [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that actually shows how you solve problems. And this right here is the absolute core of the strategy. Every single company is [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) to solve a problem. That’s it. So your number one goal, with your entire [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), is to illustrate how you solve those kinds of problems. You want a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager to look at your profile and immediately think, oh wow, I can totally see them doing that for us. So how do you actually do that? It breaks down into three pretty simple steps. First, curate your [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). Seriously, Google yourself. Look at your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile with fresh eyes. Does what you see actually align with [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) goals? Be honest. Second, start posting relevant content. You don’t have to write a novel. Share an interesting article. Add a quick insight. This stuff dramatically boosts your visibility. And finally, use that feature section on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. It’s prime real estate. Pin your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) work right to the top. It’s your personal highlight reel. You see, all of this, your online activity, the posts, the profile tweaks, it all builds towards something way bigger. ***A Critical Blindspot in an Executive [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)*** It builds your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). And look, [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) can sound like some intimidating marketing term, but it’s not. It’s really just a modern word for something that’s always been critical, your professional reputation. Let’s just demystify this whole [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) thing for a second. It’s not about being an influencer or having a cool logo. It is quite simply your reputation. It’s what you’re known for. When someone in your industry says your name, what’s the first thing that pops into their head? That is your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). And that brings me to the big question for you. Take a second and really think about it. What are you known for? If a future boss were to ask your colleagues about you, what would they say? And maybe more importantly, what do you want them to say? The answer to that is the absolute foundation of your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). We can break that big question down into four main parts. Your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) is built on who you are, your professional identity. It’s what you do, your skills and your expertise. It’s your successes, the proven tangible results you’ve delivered. And maybe the most important one, it’s how you succeed. Your unique process, your secret sauce. If you can tell a powerful story across these four areas, you are golden. And make no [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), this is not just some feel-good exercise. Your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) makes a real tangible difference. It frames how a potential employer sees you from that very first click. A strong, clear [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) tells them you’re a pro who knows your value and can deliver. It sets the tone for everything that comes after. So this is what I want to leave you with. Your digital footprint is out there, building your reputation 24-7, whether you’re managing it or not. So the only question left to ask yourself is, is the story it’s telling helping you or is it hurting you? *[**Executive Job Search: The Invisible Market**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HqvttXWslzWyeTLRZD6kU)* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[The Layoff Post: Your Secret Weapon on LinkedIn](https://open.spotify.com/episode/0OauvE2dwZ2Y0lVStN0onD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Don’t Fill That Many Positions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-otq) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Finding Your Fit: The Skills Matcher Tool***](https://open.spotify.com/episode/00Bgu3eXbM611wde1HenL7) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Rejection, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, Text **Tags:** Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected --- ### [The Strength of Weak Ties in Your Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the science of "weak ties" and gives you a step-by-step strategy **Content:** # The Strength of Weak Ties in Your Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop begging your close friends and family for job leads—they are the least likely people to help you find your next role. Real opportunities live on the periphery of your network with casual acquaintances and former colleagues who occupy professional circles you don’t typically visit. This episode breaks down the science of “weak ties” and gives you a step-by-step strategy to turn distant contacts into active referrals without the social friction. When you start looking for a new job, your first instinct is to reach out to your inner circle—family, close friends, and long-time colleagues. But there is a structural limitation to this approach. These people are often the least likely to provide you with a new lead. In 1973, Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter published this [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). He discovered that professionals find the majority of high-quality [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) through casual acquaintances, rather than their closest friends. Granovetter called close friends “strong ties.” You interact constantly, making your information redundant—a closed loop of shared job postings. “Weak ties” are on the periphery: former coworkers or acquaintances. They occupy professional environments you don’t typically visit. This diagram shows the concept of a network bridge. The dotted lines are the only paths connecting isolated social clusters. These distant acquaintances are the primary gateway to [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) and new professional circles. Engaging with weak ties provides a pathway to opportunities that exist entirely outside your own social circle. To begin your outreach, go through your contact list or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) connections. Look specifically for acquaintances who work in your target industry. Categorize these contacts and build a list of 20 to 30 specific people you intend to message. Once your list is ready, do not contact your top prospect first. Instead, start with the person at number 10. [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is a skill that requires practice. Starting with a lower-stakes contact allows you to refine your pitch and gain [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) before you approach a high-value target at your dream company. When you reach out to a weak tie, avoid the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of leading with a request for a job or a formal referral. Use the “warm door” approach. Ask for low-stakes information or advice that is easy for the recipient to share. Re-establish the connection in a single, simple sentence. If you worked together years ago, briefly mention the project so they have immediate context. Asking for insight—like their take on the team culture—lowers the social friction. This low-pressure start often encourages the contact to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a referral on their own. By removing the transactional pressure, you make it easier for a dormant contact to provide internal information or help. If your contact offers to pass along your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), send them a forwardable package. This ensures you have done almost all the work for them. First, include the exact job link and the requisition number. Second, provide a two-sentence summary of why you are a fit for the role. This should be written so they can copy and paste it into an email to their [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Third, attach a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that is optimized for [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). Finally, include an explicit “easy out.” Acknowledge that they may not be comfortable referring someone they haven’t worked with closely. This package shifts the contact’s task from evaluating your background to simply hitting “forward,” making a successful referral much more likely. Once you have sent the package, wait 5 to 7 business days before taking any further action. If you hear nothing, send exactly one short, polite nudge to see if the email was received. Avoid multiple [follow-ups](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-master-follow-ups/). A weak tie is often just busy, and excessive pestering will stop the conversation entirely. By mapping your distant network and reducing the friction of the ask, you have turned a near stranger into a direct link to your next role. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel—it will help other people if you do. ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your job search at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** The Strength of Weak Ties in Your Job Search --- ### [Adapt!](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) **Published:** July 24, 2024 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter discusses what to do when a company makes a change to the schedule. **Content:** # Adapt! **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses what to do when a company makes a change to the schedule.*** I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m the head coach for [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) And I want to use myself as an example for the notion of adapting, changing, and pivoting, and tell a story of my own professional career and life. You know, when I got out of college back in the Stone Ages, you know, I was walking out with my club, readying, readying to slay animals—that’s how long ago it was—I graduated with no real relevant skills and found the one job that was open to me: being a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). And in being a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), I had no special skills. I had an undergraduate degree in political science, and went to work for a firm for a year and a half, with a partner started a business, after a number of years divorced him, started my first business. I wound up, I think it was at that point, I went to work for someone. No, let me go back. So, I worked for a year and a half, started a business with a partner, started my first business, and then a second name, and then went to work for two different firms for like 15, 16 years before going out into recruiting again and then [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). That’s the quick summary of a lot of years. Now, along the way, I realized a number of things about myself, and one was I don’t really like recruiting all that much. Yeah, I liked the activity, and that was part of what I really thrived at. I loved the deal, I loved the successes, but the frustrations were incredible. But I did it because that’s what I thought I could do, and the money was great, but, you know, I really wasn‘t all that into doing it after a while. So, from experiences that I developed with men’s groups, I got the idea of becoming a therapist in private practice, getting a master’s, and then had the great fortune to meet my wife in graduate school. And with that, made a very clear decision to put my [career change](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-career-change-journey-part-1/) on hold because we wanted to do the house, the kid, the whole thing. And, you know, I put it aside and waited, and then came back to it a number of years later in order to make a transition into [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). I share this story because, frankly, there are times where you’re going to want to do something, and it’s not going to be the right time, and you’re just going to have to adapt. Now, adapting takes a lot of different forms. So, for example, I went for a master’s, and in doing so, I got a certain type of [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) that was really very helpful to me both in what I was hoping my career would be, which would be a therapist in private practice, and the way I adapted it, it was very effective for me as a headhunter. And even when I put my [career change](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-career-change-journey-part-1/) on hold, it was great for my relationship with my wife, who I’d met there, became a way that we could talk, that we had a common bond from that experience. We did psychoanalytic [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) together for a number of years, we each practiced, etc., etc., before I went into [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Sometimes you need to adapt to circumstances because they change, and you could criticize yourself, “Oh, I didn’t do it what I wanted to,” and punish yourself, but it’s not really useful. What I think you’re just better off doing is waiting for the right time and then making your pivot—to take the skills that you have to move in a different direction. For example, one of the things that I‘ve done in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) is become an executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coach, which takes my experience from search work and allows me to work as an ally to a senior job hunter and help them reposition themselves to the next organization. Being clear, I’m not functioning as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/); I am their coach, helping them navigate between all these different directions that they have to contend with, answering their questions, translating circumstances. And my background in search comes in remarkably helpful. And that becomes an—excuse me, I kind of jumped around there—that becomes a great pivot point for me in using my knowledge and experiences in a very different way. Because I don’t know of any little boy or girl who grows up and says, “I want to do executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/).” No one does that, do they? But from the experiences that I have, I’ve been able to create something very different that’s effective. You can do your version of it. But I think the key element here is having the patience to sort it out, and then the courage to take the leap. As I’ve said in another video, it all starts with courage. The courage to make the change that’s necessary to have the life that you want. It starts there. And being true to yourself, being of service to others, and in a variety—well, I’ll get to some of the other things later on. But when all is said and done, I want to encourage you to go out there, start looking at ways that you can make changes. Don’t rush unless you feel you’re already and you got it all lined up in your mind, and you’ve researched it. And even then, it might be useful for you to get some [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to go through some of the situations that might turn out as roadblocks along the way. I’d love to help you. Reach out to me at JeffAltman@TheBigGameHunter.us. In the subject line, put the word “coaching,” and we’ll figure out a time to speak. Have a great day. Take care. [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Feedback, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** adapt, adapting to change --- ### [5 Dumb Mistakes Job Hunters Make WAY Too Often](https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-dumb-mistakes-job-hunters-make-way-too-often-and-how-to-correct-them-job-search-radio/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter speaks with Karen Mattonen about 5 of those mistakes and what you can do to avoid them and not cost yourself a job you really want. **Content:** # 5 Dumb Mistakes Job Hunters Make WAY Too Often and How to Correct Them **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Each time job hunters try to change [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), they make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that prove costly as they re-learn the skills needed to find work. On this show, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) speaks with Karen Mattonen about 5 of those [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and what you can do to avoid them and not cost yourself a job you really want. From the archives **Jeff**Hi, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and welcome to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Radio on webtalkradio.net. My guest is Karen Mattonen, who owns Advanced Career Solutions and operates a blog called HireCentrix that helps job hunters, shall we say, navigate some of the legal issues that they are unfortunately forced to come into contact with. Karen, welcome to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Radio. Great to have you on.**Karen**Thank you for having me on board too, Jeff. I appreciate being here.**Jeff**You’re welcome. You know, one thing I know is that when I deal with many job hunters, they are the biggest obstacles to their own [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). They make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of believing that the skills needed to find a job are the same as the skills needed to do a job. And as you and I both know, they complement one another, but they’re completely different skills. What sort of [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) do you see job hunters making that cost them opportunity after opportunity and makes their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) go on so much longer?**Karen**One of the biggest [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that I see that job seekers have is that they often assume way too much when they go into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). As a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), one of the things that I prefer to do is not to give the job seeker too much information about the career opportunity or about the job. And I even suggest to them not to go look at the job description too much because then they go in there assuming too much about the job, and then they don’t ask enough questions. They think that they really understand what the HR manager is looking, not realizing that that job description is pretty generic, and they really don’t understand what that HR manager is really feeling emotionally about what they’re wanting from that person. So…**Jeff**Karen, that’s so—that’s so counter-intuitive to what job hunters believe because most of them actually think they have to study that job description in order to make sure they stay on point with everyone that they meet with. And what you’re saying is don’t overwork it. Am I hearing you?**Karen**That’s right. That’s exactly what I’m saying. You know, and I think that’s also what we see [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) also teach, or even HR managers, like they have this expectation this person’s going to come in knowing what they want. And it’s like, you’ve got to remember, you’re dealing with human beings. So listen. Go in there, take charge of the initial [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) from the start, and try to ask as many questions to determine what is this person looking for emotionally and psychologically, not just skill-wise. They’re inviting you to that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) because they can see by your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that you do have the skills, and they’re going to ask you that. But what you want to find out is do they want somebody who’s going to be more pragmatic? Do they want somebody who’s going to be more independent worker, or are they going to want somebody who can deal with an authoritarian kind of type management? Do they want someone who could fit, you know, play golf on the court, or do they want someone who’s going to be in the office consistently? You can’t go in there assuming you know what they want. Go in there and listen. Go ahead.**Jeff**That’s—that’s fascinating, Karen. I know, folks, if you’ve been listening to some of my shows, you’ve heard me talk about this question I want you to ask at the beginning of every [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And that’s designed to draw out content from the interviewer about what they’re looking for and what’s important for them. But you also spoke about trying to pull out information about what they’re looking for psychologically and trying to connect with them emotionally. How would you suggest or what sort of things might someone do in order to do all that?**Karen**That’s a good point. Okay, let me give you a suggestion here. If you go into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), first off, the first thing you want to do is don’t allow them to ask you that dreaded question, ‘So why are you here and what do you think about us and what do you can you do for us?’ Don’t let them ask you that dreaded question. Go into that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), look for something in that office that you could kind of like take control of that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Maybe you’ll see a picture of a boat, and then you’re going to ask them, ‘Do you go ahead and you do yachting?’ or maybe you see the guy has a surfboard on a picture of him surfing, so then ask him about surfing, or just make a question or statement about the weather. And then kill it. Go ahead and say, ‘You know what? I’m here with you for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I’m sorry for taking your time up. Now can I ask you, what are you looking for in this position?’ Now, then you ask also, ‘What was the person like in this position before, and why isn’t he here?’ And then listen to the key words. Give you an example: if a company, the gentleman is saying or the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, sorry, is saying, ‘Well, the last person in the position was a really friendly guy, really outgoing, and the problem we had though is that everybody liked him, but he would rather wear a tool belt or be out there on the street or do sales rather than doing the P&L, and we had a lot of shrinkage, we lost a lot. And so that was kind of a concern, but we really liked that he was a really great guy.’ Well, listen to what he repeated. Go ahead.**Jeff**So what I hear you say was that, you know, they talk about what it is that was so good about this other person, but then they’re going to mention the deficiencies in that person.**Karen**Exactly! Right. I mean, when I usually bring this up to somebody, people go, ‘Oh, yeah, they just want a guy who has strong P&L.’ I’m like, ‘No, but you missed the most important part. They also mention what they really liked about him.’ So what you want to now be is the balance of both. You don’t want to be—because you don’t know if the person before that guy was too much on the P&L and not enough on the friendly. And so now they really are kind of like too scared of getting too friendly and too scared of getting too much P&L. So what you’re hearing is they’re saying that they want both. Become both.**Jeff**Got you. And, folks, just in case you heard the term P&L and you’re not familiar with it, P&L stands for profit and loss. So it’s someone who would, in this particular story, be involved with all the accounting and the record-keeping and ensuring that everyone’s making their sales numbers, versus someone who’s out in the field, as using Karen’s scenario. So, again, the idea becomes instead of just being focused on one element of what they tell you was the effective qualities of the incumbent, you try and find also what those deficiencies were, so that way you can balance out the two.**Karen**Exactly. And I think that’s the problem when we go in to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). After reading that job description—the generic job description—you’re going in there and you’re going to ask all these questions about the job description, but you forget we’re dealing with the workplace where you are awake 8 to 10 hours a day, and you’re actually seeing more of them than you are of your own family quite often. And that’s what people are—a person who’s [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), that’s what they’re thinking: ‘Can this guy really get along with the group of people? Can he be a team player? We may like his experience, we may like this everything else, but can he fit in with our areas of deficiency as well as the areas that are good?’ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB **Jeff**Terrific. What are other [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) do job hunters make?**Karen**One of the biggest ones I see is that they’re always scared of asking for the job. When that company’s asking, ‘Do you have any questions?’, why not ask, ‘When do I start?’ with a little bit of humor? Remember to ask and cop that for that job. Close, close, close! You may not be a salesperson, but you know what? Be brave. That’s what they want. They want courageous people. And so with a little glimmer, a twinkle in your eye, a smile, say, when they ask, ‘Do you have any more questions?’, say, ‘Yeah, when do I start?’ And then they say, ‘Well, we’re still looking at other people,’ then smile again and say, ‘Well, why? I’m right here.’ And then they—and then, I think you have a good close here too, because like when they’re asking, ‘Well, you know, what…’ You want to find out, if they say, ‘Well, we’re still looking,’ then you also want to find out, ‘Is there anything that I may have missed? Is there something I didn’t tell you? Is there some way that we could close this to show I can demonstrate that I am efficient for this job?’ I think you had a really good close here too.**Jeff**Yes, I do, and the question I always tell people to ask is, let’s say it’s a year from now and you’ve hired me, and I haven’t just done a good job, I’ve done a spectacular job, amongst the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) if not the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) performance of someone you’ve seen in this role before. What would I have accomplished during that year that would cause you to write such a review? And I know from talking with people, number one is they get a clearer picture about what people are going to expect of them if they join, so you can find out if it’s realistic or unrealistic. Plus, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) also get a feel that, you know, you’re not just simply interested in being an average performer, you want to be a high performer in their eyes. So it has multiple messages to it that work very well for job hunters.**Karen**I think that was one of—when I heard you tell me that, I was bowled over by that. I thought it was totally excellent, and that’s why I really wanted to bring that up again. I was really impressed with that.**Jeff**Thank you. Folks, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and you’re listening to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Radio on webtalkradio.net. We’re going to be back in a moment with more from Karen, but I also wanted to talk with you about my [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) insider tip for this week, which is designed to help you with phone [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). You see, for many of you, you’re already experiencing the fact that more and more [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are doing phone [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) to begin their [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process instead of face-to-face ones. And phone [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) are easier and harder than face-to-face ones. They’re easier in that no one can see that you happen to be casually dressed, or that you have your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) out in front of you, or that you’re taking notes down. All they have is your voice to go by, and that’s what makes it harder. They can’t be influenced by how good-looking you are or what a great wardrobe you have. They’re just listening to your voice, and that’s what makes it harder. So here’s a couple of very simple points I want to encourage you to do before your next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). First of all, number one, take some some notes so that as they’re asking you questions, you write down a particular note in front of you on the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that you have in front of you. Maybe you circle some of the things on the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that will remind you to stay on point and to address the issues that have been in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as you answer questions. So that’s point number one. Number two is make sure you’re in a place in the house where you’re not going to get disturbed. So often, I know when I speak with people, you know, I’m listening to the sounds of all sorts of extraneous noises behind folks that distract from the experience. So you always want to be in a place where there’re going to be no distractions, no inconveniences, no one walking in on you, and the sound of the TV or whatever electronics you have in the house are not going to be blaring in the background. Finally, and I can’t [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) this one enough: rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. You gotta practice answers to obvious questions that you’re going to be asked on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). So that’s my insider tip. Let’s come back to Karen, and we’re going to talk about some more of the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that job hunters make. So what else do job hunters do that stand—you know, keeps them from being effective on their [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)? **Karen**One of the—another big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), and I know it seems so remedial like why would people forget this, but they do it quite often, is they often forget to say thank you. Not just the generic, ‘Oh, well, you know, thank you for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/),’ when you’re leaving. But one thing I always tell my job seekers: make sure you have thank-you cards in your car, and when you leave that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), go downstairs, write out a thank-you card to every single person you interviewed with. Go back upstairs and give it to the receptionist to give to each individual. And then go home, wait about 48 hours, and send an email—because make sure you’ve asked for the business card for everyone that you interviewed with before you left—and then you go ahead and you email each individual a thank you again saying, ‘I thought about this position, I’m really coveting this position, I’m very interested, thank you for your time.’ And then you say you’re going to call or [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with them later that week. But you appreciate it. And then you call again later that week because you said you would. That way, they have three different options and three different ways not to forget about you, and they appreciate the fact that you want to work there.**Jeff**So I heard you talk about was the thank-you card…**Karen**Mhm.**Jeff**…the email, you know, 48 hours later, and what was the third one that you were talking about?**Karen**Phone. Make sure that you—in the card, on the email, in the email you say you are going to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with a phone call. And the third one is you make that phone call later that week. Usually, you have the email—you meet on a Monday, by Wednesday you send the email, Friday you make the call. All right? They don’t forget about you.**Jeff**That’s right, they don’t forget about you. And even if you delay that Friday phone call to the following Monday, which I know would be my preference, because I know people like to get away on Friday. And thus, if that’s the case, I’d rather start off the week with the reminder. That’s my taste. In your line of work, you may find it better to do it on a Friday. Regardless, three contacts within a week of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is terrific.**Karen**M-hm. I mean, I remember one person—it’s a little cheesy, but this one person knew that the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager was a golfer. And when—so he wrote on a card that said… first off, he gave the the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager a golf ball. And in the box, he said, ‘When you’re making that decision, here’s your hole-in-one.’ He says, ‘Here’s the ball that will make your hole-in-one. I am that ball.’**Jeff**You know…**Karen**It was a little cheesy, but it worked. It worked. It was—the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager was like, ‘That was unique as heck,’ and I’m like, it was a little cheesy. I did kind of like advise against… I don’t like these those gimmicks, really. I really tell people stay professional. I can see the gimmicks working more in marketing or media, but if you’re if you’re not in marketing or media, stay away from the gimmicks.**Jeff**And I had a guest on several shows ago named Abby Kohut, who spoke about people using some of these non-electronic media communication techniques or marketing techniques to get themselves in the door. And Abby spoke about this one person who, in terms of getting an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), what he would do is send a shoe.**Karen**Yeah.**Jeff**He put the shoe in a box, mailed it to a manager he wanted to connect with, and basically said, ‘I’d like to get my foot in the door with you.’ And just take about… and someone else, and sometimes he, I believe, used an hourglass in there and it would say, ‘I’d like to take five minutes of your time,’ which was the amount of time of the hourglass, ‘to talk with you about why I would be a great fit.’ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1 **Karen**You know, as a person who gets close to 200 [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) a day, that would to me be an interesting distraction, but it’s one of those things I’d be like, ‘You know what? I’d like to know more about you, the person, and I just don’t see something like that fitting in a business structure unless, again, are you going into a marketing firm? Are you going into an advertising firm?’ I could see that working. But if you’re doing something that’s professional business-like, that’s just too gimmicky. It really is. I mean, I had one girl who actually sent out a bunch of flowers and said, ‘Just I could brighten up your office with just like these flowers.’ I’m like, ‘You know, just just stick to the—to the basics. Be yourself, be a businessperson, you know?’ That’s my—that’s my take on that.**Jeff**I hear you. What other sorts of things do people do that cost them opportunities?**Karen**Oh, gosh, trusting the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). I love recruiting…**Jeff**Don’t let—don’t let these folks in on this one. Come on, Karen.**Karen**I love recruiting. I have been a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for near 20—actually over [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/). Ah! I’m getting old. But one of the things that I will never do as a recruiter—and I really hate when I hear this question from a lot of recruiters—’Can you tell me where you’re actually looking, where have you interviewed, and, you know, so we won’t duplicate your efforts?’ Right. You know what? The recruiter—most [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who ask that question are planning to go ahead and send one of their candidates to that job, and believe me, they’re going to work their way out of it. They want to make sure they place you, and it’s going to make sure that they’re going to also make sure you’re not getting to accept the job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) that might be pending because they’re going to send their [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) candidates there. They’re out to make money, and it’s going to be at your expense. So when a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) goes ahead and asks you that question, you know what you say? ‘You know, I’m confidential with my [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Just tell me where you want to send me, and I’ll let you know if to if to send me there or not to send me there.’ Keep it simple. But be careful about trusting [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) way too much because guess what? They’re in it for themselves too.**Jeff**I know for myself, I have clients that I work for. For me, when I ask that question, it really is about saving time. If a person happens to have been to my client, I’m not going to approach that firm. I already know about the req. You know, so I don’t need them for it. And I’ve got a full plate at this point with clients I’m supporting. So, you know, when all is said and done, for me, it really is about that, but I know especially with less experienced [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who don’t have a full plate, they’re in situations where they are trying to get clients, and they are trying to make sure that people don’t get hired at firms that they’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with, and they will do exactly what you’re talking about, you know, try and fill the job on their own and cost you the opportunity. You so…**Karen**And one of the things as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), I just say, ‘Look, this is where I’m sending it, sending you out to. Should or should I not send you there?’ And that’s how I know not to duplicate your effort, you know? I’m—so that way you have control of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) and I have control of my search, so that we both can feel safe with each other. I want my candidates to trust me, and I am going to treat them with the respect that they deserve, just as I treat my clients.**Jeff**And—and for me, my—my awkwardness about that, and—and I’ve been in the search field for 40-plus years, and I have lost way too many fees and cost myself hundreds of thousands of dollars by being so trusting as to reveal who my client is, and then discover the candidate makes their first or second call after speaking with me directly to that firm because after all, you know, ‘If I can save the firm money, maybe they’ll pay me more, or they’ll like me more if I come in directly rather than from a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/).’ Karen, you and I both know that that’s crazy, but firm—people sometimes think that way. And the impact is, I know for myself, you know, I can directly attribute, you know, [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) I made in being so revealing to candidates earlier in my career to more than a quarter of a million dollars I lost in fees. So…**Karen**And I’ll tell you that’s a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) candidates make, too, because I’ll tell you right now, too, if a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager also finds out sometimes that you’ve also backdoored a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) after you’ve told [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) told you not to do that—and by the way, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) do speak with each other, too—you can become blacklisted. I have actually had candidates blacklisted because of that behavior. There are some companies that I actually do work with on a very strong, loyal basis, and they know that if I talk to a candidate, I told them I talked to that candidate, and believe me, I will send my candidate—my clients the names that I’ve sent—I’ve spoken to before I even submit a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) at times. And so they know that if you decide to go ahead and backdoor me and they know that I would have instructed you not to, that could hurt you as a candidate, too. So don’t ever try to backdoor your [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) because it will burn you. It will, especially if your [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is a specialist, especially if they specialize in the industry that you’re recruiting—being recruited in.**Jeff**And folks, just to translate that term ‘backdoor,’ if you think of the front door as approaching the firm directly through let’s say HR, the backdoor is taking that information and approaching them directly to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager or some other way, you know, in—in what I can only describe as being sneaky and nefarious. You know, you’re trying to hurt the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) in all of this for your own betterment, and as Karen said so well, some firms—not all—some firms will look out for us, and I—’blacklist’ to me suggests that they’re going to—you’re going to be banned from all companies forever. That’s not the case. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2TCLD1Y **Karen**Yeah, not all companies, but my client, I have had a client who will ban, and I have had it happen where they—the huge corporation, I’m not going to name the company, but it’s a Fortune 50 company—they will actually prevent up an individual from being hireable within that company for at least 5 to 10 years. And I mean, and the thing is because they don’t like unethical people. They have—this is one of the most ethical companies. In fact, when you go to work with this company, you have to do 10 ethics classes every single year. And one of the things is, is they’re going to look at your behavior, especially if it’s a government contract firm. If you demonstrate unethical behavior from the beginning, nobody wants to work for you—you know, wants you to work for them because that’s a demonstration of what you’re going to be like to work for them. And straight up as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), I will never want to work with you, and I will advise to other [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) that I have that I have connections with—I network with other [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) that specialize in the industry that I recruit with—we actually do share, you know, like if Jeff was a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) in the HVAC industry which I recruited, I would send him [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) with my candidate’s permission. Or I would say, ‘Hey, I’m looking for some good [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), will you send me some?’ and so we do actually talk. We do have good relationships, and recruit—and people don’t recognize that. Candidates don’t recognize that [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) that may be in competition with each other are actually friendly competitors, and that can burn you if you cheat, if you lie, or you’re nefarious. We will all know.**Jeff**It’s a small world, folks. I’m part of a network of several hundred recruiting firms globally. You know, we have affiliates not just in the United States, but Canada, Latin America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, um, the Middle East, uh, China, Japan, India, a host of other places as well. And in situations where we run into people with what I can just call stories, we’re all looking to ensure that no one gets hurt. So, uh, I may into a scenario where um someone presents a candidate to me, I know the story behind—do you think I’m going to—do you think I’m going to accept that [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/)? Do you think I’m going to try and do anything to help you get a job? Of course not. Of course not. So, you know, just be smart about these things. Firms have this money and fees budgeted. You don’t have to sneak around to think you’re going to save them money, and I can assure you, they’re not going to pay you any more just because you came in without a fee. The money comes from different budget slots.**Karen**And yes, that money is course it is, that’s also tax-deductible for the firm. My fee is a tax deduction for them. So for them, it’s actually a benefit, as well, it’s not a huge loss. It’s—and even though it is, it’s not a huge loss. Does that make sense?**Jeff**Of course. Is there one other big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that people make that you want to bring to their attention? Tell me.**Karen**The question, ‘What is your weakness?’ Oh, that one stumps everyone. And I’m like—love that question. That’s one of my favorite questions because I love to state, for example, I talk a lot. Jeff, you know me for a long time. And, in fact, you and I have also been member of the same network that you were speaking of. And one of—everybody who knows me knows Karen kind of tends to go off of the mouth because I’m, like Jeff would say, very passionate. And so when people ask, ‘What is my weakness?’, mmm, well, I’m extremely passionate about my job, which tends to make sure that I talk a lot. And so I can tend to go off a little bit and care too much, and I get too involved with my clients. But then, I guess that’s also my strength because I am so passionate, and because I care, my my clients tend to love me and trust me because they know that I’m always telling the truth and that I want to see the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) for them. So I guess my weakness is my strength.**Jeff**You mean you don’t answer that question with, ‘I sometimes work too hard’?**Karen**No. \*\[laughs\]\* Yeah, right. Yeah, the can generic one? No. Be honest. Take that weakness that you have that you know that is also something that you may also like about yourself, because everybody has something that they totally hate about themselves, but at the same time—like, I’m ADHD. At times, I hate that being ADHD. It’s the worst thing in the world. But at—but at the same time, my ADHD is what makes me so driven and be able to be so competitive and to do so well because it makes me so passionate. So that’s where we that mold—everyone. Every human being. The very thing that we often hate about ourselves is the also the very thing we can also learn to accept and love about ourselves, which makes us good at our job.**Jeff**And—and talking with an employer, I thought you lay that out beautifully. You know, you take what you perceive as—as a weakness, describe it—you don’t ignore it—you describe it faintly and then pause and—and folks, remember, I believe that part of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) involves theater. You are an actor or actress on the stage presenting yourself in a way that the audience will sit on the edge of their seat, and wait for the next great moment to come out of your mouth. So, you know, you take that and with a little bit of theater, you talk about that perceived weakness, pause for a second and go, ‘And you know, if I think about it, that’s also my greatest strength because what I’ve been able to take out of that is…’ and then you talk about the good qualities that come with having that deficiency.**Karen**And you know what? Made a good point about something, too, about the perceived weakness. Most of us always to run away in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) from our weaknesses. We get scared of it. Well, trust me, the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is seeing it. It—and the more you run from it, the more it glares. In fact, just recently, I had a candidate that my [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager perceived as very passionate, and they wondered how this individual will fit in with this company. And I was able to demonstrate by using my own passion how that individual could do so well and how they could harness it to their good. And so just remember, your first—the person [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you is seeing your weaknesses, and the more you hide from it, the more glaring it becomes. So addressing it and making it a positive is to your benefit.**Jeff**I agree with you wholeheartedly. I remember, uh, I’ve been part of an international men’s group for many years and, in order to be allowed to lead these retreat weekends around the world, we sit in front of a panel to evaluate us for suitability for doing this. And in 15 minutes—15 minutes—this seven-man panel is able to discern very clearly what a person’s strengths are, what they’re trying to hide from them, you know, really drill in on some of those points that we smell, we taste, we see uh in the person sitting opposite us. If, as Karen said, if you think you’re able to hide this from a skilled interviewer, you are absolutely mistaken. Better to just bring it out, turn it into a positive, and move on. Karen, this has been great. Thank you. How can folks reach you?**Karen**Well, they can also just go to hirecentrix.com, and that’s h-i-r-e-c-e-n-t-r-i-x.com, and you can find my information there. That’s a site that I always laugh and say we try to teach people how to sue an employer just as fast as we will teach the employer how not to be sued. What we try to do is to make sure that the employee is treated fairly and equally, and I always try to teach a company how to make sure they avoid being sued by treating their employees fairly and equally.**Jeff**Thank you. Folks, we’ll be back next time with more [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) advice to help you find work more quickly. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’ve got lots of content available for you on [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Radio, so come listen to more of our shows. But I also want to encourage you to come over to my website, which is thebiggamehunter.us. Go exploring; there’s lots of great content to help you with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). In addition, if you’re trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at jeffaltman@thebiggamehunter.us. I’d love to help you with…[***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Tip for a Successful Video Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mjC) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Mistakes **Tags:** Job Search Mistakes, Karen Mattonen --- ### [Laid Off At a Company That Has Announced Cuts of Poor Performers #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There are cuts at companies that have announced layoffs of poor performers. Here's what to do. **Content:** # Laid Off At a Company That Has Announced Cuts of Poor Performers #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/hoHLjKhneIw) **There are cuts at companies that have announced layoffs of poor performers. Here’s what to do.** [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Laid Off, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Laid Off At a Company That Has Announced Cuts of Poor Performers --- ### [Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-you-apply-if-theyve-interviewed-a-lot-of-people-shorts/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** My answer will surprise you. **Content:** # Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/s_i-vEoOb6E) My answer will surprise you. ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the former host, now producer of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applying for a Job, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People? --- ### [2 Huge Final Interview Blunders](https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-huge-final-interview-blunders-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Don't you feel great when your schedule back for a final interview? Too often, people commit these blunders before going back for the final. **Content:** # 2 Huge Final Interview Blunders **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Don’t you feel great when your schedule back for a final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Too often, people commit these blunders before going back for the final. The result winds up being heartbreak and disappointment. Let me help you win this round. [***Another Stupid Resume Mistake***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3fH) [![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/blunder-pexels-markus-spiske-105472-300x200.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/blunder-pexels-markus-spiske-105472-scaled.jpg) I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m a coach who helps people professionally in a variety of different ways. I used to work in search, did it for a hell of a long time, helped a lot of people find work. And now I coach people to new roles. I want to talk with you about the big final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) blunder I keep seeing happen time and again. And it’s awful. Now, let me explain how it’s set up. You get the contact. It’s a call, it’s an email, it’s some message that lets you know you’re going back for the final, and you feel you’ve got this locked up. You’re going back for the final. But you forget one thing, and don’t do the second. The thing you forget is that you’re still competing. And, as such, You’re competing against other people or the idea that there’s someone else out there who can do this better than you. As a result, I don’t want to say you coast into it the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) but you’re not as well [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) as you could be. You need to always remember that you’re competing for roles. And when you get that contact about scheduling the final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), ask them how many other people are they inviting back. This way, you know. And even if they tell you “No one, it’s just you,” I’ve seen so many situations where people still get turned down, and they go back to square one to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). ***[How Fatal Is This Cover Letter Mistake?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-24x)*** So that’s a reminder, number one. Here’s the big one. The big one is that you spend no time reviewing your previous interviews. It’s not just simply for what your answers were because that’s easy. But the hard thing to admit is that there were rough edges that occurred previously. And they’re still on that and you’re thinking they are past it. They are not past it. They are in a position where they’re still evaluating and assessing and trying to figure out if they can get through those issues and you’re okay enough to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). And that’s a weird concept. I know. But trust me. I’ve been in so many situations where issues surfaced on the first or second [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and here they are with a senior exec. And the person gets turned down for them. So, I want to remind you, that you need to proactively address these in your conversation with them and be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to answer questions that might surface. And you can acknowledge it by saying, “you know, in an earlier round, someone asked me a question that kind of seemed like they wanted me to talk this way. But I went down a different path. Let me tell you exactly what I’ve done.” And that becomes one way and one type of scenario. Another one is you don’t have much experience with it where you can say to them. “look, I don’t have a lot of practical experience with that particular skill, or that type of situation. But since being here, what I’ve done is” and then go into some of the homework that you’ve done, to more fully understand what that scenario, what that technology, what that experience might be like. And you can say, “I’m not going to be [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) walking in. But with practice, I can because I’ve taken the time to understand what’s needed given your environment. And I’ve gone to the drawing board to learn.” Remember, this is going to surface and, if it doesn’t surface because they have to ask you a question, I want you to bring it up so that this way it’s not untested, it’s not unaddressed. [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-2-2027/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** 2 Huge Final Interview Blunders, Common mistakes made during a final interview, Don't make these final interview blunders, Final interview blunders, Final interview mistakes, interview mistakes to avoid, interviewing mistakes made by interviewees, job interivew mistakes to avoid, job interview mistakes to avoid, JobSearchTV.com, mistakes to avoid during job interview, stupid final interview mistakes, Two huge final interview blunders --- ### [What to Do If You Hate Your Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-job-2/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3034 This is derived from an interview with Jessica Sweet on the Find Your Dream Job podcast. I hope you'll enjoy the conversation and what is shared. **Content:** # What to Do If You Hate Your Job **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** This is derived from an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Jessica Sweet on the Find Your Dream Job podcast. I hope you’ll enjoy the conversation and what is shared. [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) Ever feel that Sunday evening dread? Yeah, you know that feeling, wondering if your out of office message should really be a one way ticket out of your current job? You’re not alone. Today, we’re diving into an episode of The Find Your Dream Job podcast. The guest was [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach and licensed therapist Jessica Sweet and she gave some super insightful advice about figuring out if it’s time for a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) change, and if so, how to gracefully make that leap. It is fascinating, isn’t it? I mean, we hear all the time, if you hate your job, just quit, hmm. But Jessica reminds us there’s actually a lot more to it than that. It’s less about just straight up hating your job, and more about honestly looking at if the bad outweighs any benefits, you know, financial or anything else. Yeah, it’s about recognizing when those Sunday scaries are more than just a case of the Mondays. Jessica calls it Sunday night dread, yeah, and it’s a signal we should all be paying attention to. Oh, absolutely. And that dread, you know, it can show up in so many ways, physically, emotionally, even mentally. It’s like your body is giving you this not so subtle nudge, like, hey, something isn’t right here. This reminds me so much of someone I used to work with. We’ll call him Bob, and Bob, he was like the ultimate quiet quitter. Before that was even a thing like it was so obvious to everyone, he was just going through the motions. But he stayed at that job for years, even though you could tell it was making him totally miserable. It is easy to get stuck in that pattern, but Jessica cautions against just [quitting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) without a plan that leap into the unknown. It’s tempting for sure, but honestly, it often just makes things more stressful in the long run. So how do we prevent ourselves from becoming the next Bob, but also not stay stuck in a job that’s making us unhappy? One of Jessica’s big recommendations is to actually start your job searching while you’re still at your current job. Okay, so I can definitely see how that would be the last thing you’d want to do if you’re already feeling burned out. But I’m definitely curious. Why is that so important? Well, [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) actually shows that [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) tend to see someone with a job as more desirable. There’s an element of social proof to it. It’s like, well, if someone else wants them, they must be valuable, plus, already being employed can actually give you a leg up when you’re negotiating your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and benefits at a new place, because you’re not coming from this place of desperation, you’re coming from a position of strength. Okay, that totally makes sense when you put it like that, yeah, it’s kind of like dating, right? Like you’re way more likely to attract a great partner when you’re already [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) and fulfilled in your own life. But let’s be real, trying to juggle a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) while you’re working full time, that’s definitely no easy task. Oh, exactly. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it takes a strategic approach. For sure, one thing Jessica warns against is, you know, falling into the [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) of constantly complaining during this time. Oh, I think I’ve been guilty of that. Sometimes it feels good in the moment to vent to co workers, but it’s probably not actually that productive. I get it. It’s totally understandable to want to share those frustrations with people, but Jessica actually suggests that we try to channel that [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into something much more beneficial, self reflection. So instead of just fixating on what’s making us unhappy in our current job, we should be using that [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) to figure out what we really want, yes, exactly, taking the time to examine what went wrong in your previous job, or even just in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) as a whole up to this point, that can give you really valuable clues about what to look for in your next opportunity, things like journaling or talking to a trusted friend. Emphasis on trusted so maybe not your work. Bestie, this time, these are all great ways to process those feelings and uncover some of those hidden desires you might not have realized you had. It’s like that saying those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, except in this case, it’s more like those who don’t learn from their bad [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are doomed to repeat them. It really is like you’re holding up this mirror to [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) and really seeing it clearly. It can help you see those patterns, you know, like maybe you’re always drawn to those really fast paced environments, but then you end up craving more work life balance, or maybe you do your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) work when you’re collaborating, but you’re stuck in this role that’s super isolating. So it’s about recognizing what you really need to thrive and using that to make better choices going forward Exactly. And once you’ve done that inner work, Jessica suggests focusing on three practical steps. Get that [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) ready to go. Dust off those [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) skills. And this is a big one, get really clear on what your target is. Yeah, that makes sense. It’s easy to get caught up in just wanting out of a bad situation, but then you end up just feeling lost if you don’t know where you’re going. Totally Think of it like a GPS. You need to know both coordinates where you are now and your destination to find the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) route, having that target, that vision of your ideal job or industry, well, it just makes the whole search process so much more focused. I’ve definitely seen that happen, like when people try to be everything to everyone, they end up resonating with no one. I had a friend who was [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for everything from marketing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) to like dog walking gigs when she was having a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) crisis, no wonder nothing seemed to click. It’s true when you’re clear. About what you want, your [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) becomes more strategic, too. You can be more intentional about who you’re connecting with, and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) becomes this targeted document that really highlights the specific skills and experience that are relevant to those dream roles. So it’s about quality over quantity, yeah, being intentional instead of just desperate. Exactly. Okay, so let’s say you’ve got a new job lined up those final days at a job you’re ready to leave, those can be so awkward. Got any advice on how to navigate that exit gracefully? Oh, for sure, Jessica actually had some great tips on this, especially when it comes to those exit [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). You know it’s tempting to use that as a chance to air all your grievances and finally, tell your boss how you really feel, and maybe do a little victory dance on the way out the door. Huh? Tempting, yeah, but probably not the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move. The world’s a lot smaller than you think, and you never know when you might cross paths with those people again. Okay, good point. So how do you balance being honest about your experience without totally burning bridges. Jessica recommends emphasizing the pull of something new, not just pushing away from the old job. It’s a subtle difference, but it can make a huge difference in how you come across. So instead of saying, I’m out of here because this place is a dumpster fire, it’s more like I’m really excited about this new opportunity that’s a better fit for my long term goals. Got it. It’s like you’re focused on the open door in front of you, not the one slam and shut behind you, exactly. And it’s not about being dishonest or anything. It’s just about framing things in a way that really highlights what you want. You know, those exit [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), they’re more about the company gathering information. It’s not really your chance to vent. So what do you say when they ask? Why are you leaving? Jessica suggests having, like, a little elevator pitch ready to go something short, positive, like, I’m so grateful for everything I’ve learned here, but I’m looking for a role where I can and then fill in the blank, you know, like lead a team or use my design skills more. This new opportunity and new company seems like a perfect fit for that. So you’re taking the focus off what you weren’t getting and putting it on what you were pursuing. Exactly. You’re showing them you’re ambitious and proactive. And hey, if you do still need to process some of those tougher emotions around leaving. Jessica has a great suggestion, write it all down like you’re venting in a letter to your boss, and then, ooh, burn the letter exactly. I love that. It’s like you’re releasing those feelings without actually torching any bridges. Yeah. So basically, what we’re taking away from this is that dealing with a job you don’t love, it’s not just about [quitting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/). It’s about being really intentional with [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Yes, both figuring out what you want and then going after it. I couldn’t agree more, our [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), their journey, is not just destinations, right? There are gonna be bumps along the way, for sure, detours. But you know what? Sometimes those lead to opportunities you’d never even imagined. That is so true. Well, on that note, we’ll leave you with this thought, if you could design your ideal work life, no limits, what would that look like? What would it feel like? What impact would you make? Let those questions guide you on your own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) journey, until next time, [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) diving you. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[The Billion-Dollar Staffing Mistake](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acz)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[What Are the Biggest Mistakes Job Hunters Make?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Mg)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** What to Do If You Hate Your Job --- ### [25 Teacher Interview Questions & Answers [Common & Hard]](https://thebiggamehunter.us/25-teacher-interview-questions-answers-common-hard/) **Published:** July 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You’re about to see the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers. **Content:** # 25 Teacher Interview Questions & Answers \[Common & Hard\] [Originally Published on Zety.com. It is republished with permission.](https://zety.com/blog/teacher-interview-questions) You’re about to see the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers. But first— ## **What’s that sound?** It’s your nerves. They’re screeching like nails on a chalkboard. You’ve got a teacher interview *tomorrow.* They’ll grill you like a slab of questionable lunchroom meat. ## **Don’t worry.** A *little* prep can turn your world around. You’ll walk in cool and ready. Of course, you need to prove you’ve got the skills. But with a bit of thinking, you’ll have perfect answers handy. **This guide will show you:** - The 25 most common teacher interview questions and answers. - Tips to ace a teaching [job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-this-question-on-your-next-job-interview-3/), including how to prepare. - How to answer interview questions for teachers with achievements that impress. - How to ask your own teaching interview questions for hireability bonus points. Want to make sure nothing will slip your mind at that big interview? Get our free checklist: *42 Things You Need to Do Before, During, and After Your Big Interview*. Stick to it, and you’ll turn every interview into a [job offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-job-offers/)! Can’t land an interview in the first place? Your teaching [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) might be to blame. Fix it with the help of these guides: - ***[Teacher Resume: Sample & Writing Guide](https://zety.com/blog/teacher-resume)*** - [***Substitute Teacher Resume: Sample & Writing Guide***](https://zety.com/blog/substitute-teacher-resume-example) - [***Teaching Assistant Resume: Sample & Writing Guide***](https://zety.com/blog/teaching-assistant-resume-example) **Want to land more job interviews?** Create the perfect [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) in our builder: 1. Pick a professional template. 2. Get [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) tips from [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-do-recruiters-complain-about-being-flooded-with-resumes-thebiggamehuntertv/). 3. Edit and download your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) in minutes. Start getting more job offers. **[See 20+ resume templates and create your resume.](https://zety.com/resume-templates)** ![sample teacher resume](https://cdn-images.zety.com/pages/sample_teacher_resume.jpg) Sample teacher [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) made with our builder — **[See 20+ templates and create your resume here](https://zety.com/resume-templates)** **One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:**\[I used\] a nice template I found on Zety. My [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) is now *one page* long, not *three*. With the same stuff. Looking for more interview questions for a teacher? Here are the most common [job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-this-question-on-your-next-job-interview-3/) questions and answers: - ***[Common Job Interview Questions and Best Answers (20 Examples)](https://zety.com/blog/job-interview-questions-and-answers)*** ## **25 Most Common Teacher Interview Questions \[1–10\]** These teacher interview questions and answers will make the interviewers ask *you* a question: *“When can you start?”* They cover popular high school interview questions, special education teacher interview questions, substitute or assistant teacher interview questions, and more. 1. ### **Why do you want to be a teacher?** “Why did you become a teacher?” is the most common of all interview questions for teachers. Administrators want to know you’re motivated to work through inevitable frustrations. And believe me, they’ve heard every generic answer in the books. “Because I want to help people” won’t work. Find something *specific* that shows you’re motivated like no other. #### **Example Answer** *I had trouble reading as a child My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Paulette, introduced us to an amazing list of short stories and books. She read to us and worked with us on reading comprehension. Her care switched on an unquenchable thirst that led me to read thousands of books on topics as diverse as history, biology, sociology, and nature. Mrs. Paulette’s attention forever changed my outlook on life. Since then, I’ve known I wanted to do exactly what she did—to give children tools to last for their entire lives.* 2. ### **What is your teaching philosophy?** Teacher interview questions like this ask, “Are you a good fit for our school?” It’s the teaching equivalent of “[tell me about yourself](https://zety.com/blog/tell-me-about-yourself).” But— Don’t answer elementary teacher interview questions for an unstructured school with, “I believe in structured learning.” Take the time to learn the *school’s* philosophy *before* the interview. #### **Example Answer** *I believe in teaching to each student’s passion. For instance, in one kindergarten class, my students had trouble with punctuation. I observed that one student, Mary, suddenly got excited about apostrophes. I fueled her passion with a big book on punctuation. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon the entire class was asking bright and animated questions. Whenever possible, I try to deliver structured lessons in an unstructured way like this.* That answer uses the [S.T.A.R. approach](https://zety.com/blog/star-method-interview) to teaching interview questions. It shows a Situation, a Task, an Action, and a Result. 3. ### **How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most helpful to them?** This is another of those interview questions for teachers that depends on the school’s philosophy. One administrator might think it’s crucial to know every detail. Another might say, “A doctor doesn’t need to know her patient’s favorite ice cream flavor.” Be honest, but find common ground, as in this teaching interview questions answer: #### **Example Answer** *I need to know a student’s learning styles, passions, and challenges. One difficult student, Tim, was disruptive in class. I joined him on the playground on and off. It turned out he was being bullied after school by his brother’s friends. I spoke with Tim’s parents, and they had no idea. Tim became my star student, and as a result, my whole class got quieter and easier to teach.* **How to Prepare for a Teaching Interview:** - **[Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/)** the school online and talk to teachers. Learn their challenges. - **Brainstorm** times you’ve solved problems like theirs. - **Practice** sample teacher interview questions. Write up your answers and drill with 3×5 cards. When possible, describe a problem you once faced, an action you took, and a positive result for your school or student(s). - **Gather materials** like a lesson plan, Praxis scores, and transcripts. Include images as proof of your accomplishments. 4. ### **Why do you want to work for our school district?** Administrators want to know if you really [want *this* job](https://zety.com/blog/why-do-you-want-to-work-here). So—find things you love about the school. Talk to teachers who work there. Check out the school’s website, mission statement, and “About Us” page. Finally, take some time to think of how you fit. **Example Answer** *I respect Snowy Peaks High’s belief in teaching to the whole child. Your focus on academics, character, community, and nature fit perfectly with my own philosophy. It’s easier to teach well-rounded students. The best lesson plan in the world can’t help a child who’s struggling in all other areas of life.* 5. ### **How can you help our school/students?** Teacher interview questions like this don’t have to make you blink. **Remember:** Take the time to learn the school’s needs first. The example below is for a school with a high percentage of disruptive students. #### **Example Answer** *I’ve talked to several of your teachers and heard about their challenges with classroom management. My own classroom management skills are highly developed. I’ve taken 18 continuing education credits in class management from the University of Phoenix’s online program. I was commended at my last school after fully engaging a class with over 25% disruptive students. I used a mix of nonverbal cues, transition cues, timeouts, and several other kernel-based strategies. I believe I can be just as effective here.* 6. ### **What do you find most frustrating about teaching?** Teaching interview questions like this attempt to see if you are easily discouraged. So—your answer has to show your inner strength. #### **Example Answer** *I get very frustrated with bright kids who become overconfident and don’t apply themselves. There’s nothing sadder or more common than wasted potential. At my last position, I worked with several children who weren’t trying. I implemented a research-based program to incorporate student ideas into the lesson plan. The addition of their [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) created more complete engagement. Test scores went up 15% in just two months.* **Pro Tip:** Teaching is frustrating. Many common interview questions for teachers focus on that pain. Don’t minimize it. Instead, explain your skills at working through it. 7. ### **Why should we hire you to teach here?** This is the teacher interview questions equivalent of the old standby, *“*[*Why should we hire you?*](https://zety.com/blog/why-should-we-hire-you)*”* The example answer below is for a school that wants technology in the curriculum. #### **Example Answer** *I’m well aware of your new technology initiative. We were tasked with the same challenge at my last school. Thanks to my strong tech background, I was able to add online quizzes easily. The students loved them, and they cut administrative processing by 25%.* 8. ### **How would you get your classroom ready for the first day of school?** This and similar teacher interview questions look at your preparedness. First steps create a [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/). Your *plan* for first steps says a lot about your teaching skills. #### **Example Answer** *I want my classroom to be welcoming and nurturing. I also make the ground rules obvious. A welcome sign and labeled desks help students feel at home from day one. Engaging posters and other visual aids help create a sense of excitement. Beyond fun, a large list of rules and consequences at the front of the room helps the class start on the right foot.* 9. ### **Why do we teach (science, math, French, etc.) in school?** Why does your subject matter to you? If you say, “So they can get good [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/),” you’ll flunk common interview questions for teachers like this. Think why you care about the subject at a gut level. ### **Example Answer** *I’ve always believed our future depends on regular people using science in day-to-day decisions. Science is at the core of a sense of wonder for our natural world. That wonder can drive students to improve their learning skills. It can take them places they never thought they’d go.* Bring a lesson plan, transcripts, and Praxis scores. Be ready to answer a question about teaching philosophy. Be familiar with newest lingo, assessments instead of tests, and the use of [rubrics](http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/112001/chapters/What-Are-Rubrics-and-Why-Are-They-Important%C2%A2.aspx) to correct assignments ![Paula Bean](https://cdn-images.zety.com/pages/paula_bean.jpg?1528129424) Paula Bean H.S. Teacher 10. ### **How do you evaluate your students?** Common teacher interview questions like this examine how *you* measure your performance. As usual, avoid generic answers. Cite an accomplishment and how it helped your students. #### **Example Answer** *I evaluate students with formal and informal methods, including quizzes and tests. I also grade in-class activities like reports, recitations, desk work, and group activities. One student, Terry, showed a strong grasp of concepts during in-class activities, but performed poorly during testing. Through working closely with him, I uncovered an undiagnosed vision problem. Terry got corrective lenses and his test scores rose to match his in-class comprehension.* **Beware.** Teaching interview questions like the above *may* look for whether you use assessments vs tests. Know what differentiation and universal design are. Be ready to discuss working with students with both identified and unidentified disabilities. Be able to explain how to flip a classroom. Explain that you’ll be very willing to communicate with and work with parents. Explain scope and sequence. Know who [Ross Greene](https://www.livesinthebalance.org/), Ruby Payne and Donna Beagle are. Be able to talk about how you’d apply their work in your classroom. Brian Welsh High School Teacher ## **15 Less Common Teacher Interview Questions \[11–25\]** The next 15 interview questions for teachers aren’t on the A-list. As one of my teachers used to say, prepare for them anyway because they may be on the test. You never know which teaching [job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-this-question-on-your-next-job-interview-3/) question you might face. More prep = less chance of a flub. 11. [What are your strengths](https://zety.com/blog/what-are-your-strengths) as a teacher? 12. [What’s your biggest weakness](https://zety.com/blog/what-is-your-greatest-weakness) as a teacher? 13. How do you interact with parents? 14. [Why did you leave](https://zety.com/blog/why-did-you-leave-your-last-job) your last teaching (or other) job? 15. What’s your educational background? 16. [Where do you see yourself in five years?](https://zety.com/blog/where-do-you-see-yourself-in-5-years) 17. How do you handle classroom management? 18. What’s your favorite subject? 19. What do you like best about teaching? 20. Tell me about your teaching style 21. How do you manage your time to get all your teaching duties done within schedule? 22. What’s the biggest challenge today’s students face? 23. Describe your worst day in class. 24. How do you motivate students to learn? 25. How have you helped a “tough” student? Those are the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers. Want one more question to rule them all? That’s coming in a second. Be flexible. “On the way to my first teaching interview, I was caught in a downpour and my car broke down. I still nailed every question. Then they asked to see my portfolio. I unzipped it and a big puddle of water splashed out onto the principal’s lap. I said, “I’m pretty sure this is a sign that this is not the place for me.” He laughed and offered me the job. P.J. Stevenson H.S. Teacher 3\. **The Most Important Interview Question for Teachers** Here’s the ultimate teacher interview question: *“Do you have questions for me?”* **Why’s that earthshaking?** 1. It asks if you’re savvy enough to ask an intelligent question about the job. 2. It lets you show your interest. 3. It can show you’re an impressive candidate. 4. It lets you pry out valuable information about the position. 5. It takes time away from *their* teaching interview questions. That lets you out of the hot seat. So, do a little head-scratching in advance. Which of the reverse-teaching interview questions below fit the job opening best? Which ones show you as the strongest candidate? ### **Questions to Ask in a Teacher Interview** - What would my goals be for the first year? - What’s the average classroom size? - What’s the school’s culture like? - Do you have an active PTA? - What are the other teachers like? - How is the interaction between the school and the parents? - What do the other teachers like most about this school? - How do you handle bullying? - How do you approach student discipline? - How do you measure teacher success? Any of those questions to ask in a teaching interview will show you know your way around a lesson plan. Look at the school’s website. Review their mission and vision statements and be ready to discuss achievements that show you fit. Todd Mercer High School Teacher That’s it for our list of 25+ common interview questions for teachers. Want more reverse-teacher interview questions? See our guide: [***65+ Best Questions to Ask in an Interview & Land Top Jobs***](https://zety.com/blog/questions-to-ask-an-interviewer) 4 ## **Teacher Interview Tips** **Bad dream:** You walk into the teaching interview. You sit. You’re sweating buckets. They start asking questions. You *umm* and *ahh*. Suddenly you realize you’re in your underwear. **Sound familiar?** Before we wrap up the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers, let’s take one minute to prepare. The teacher interview tips below will jack your confidence up to the ceiling tiles. ### **Teaching Interview Tips** - **Know the lingo.** What are AYP goals? Who are Wiggins and Marzano? What are rubrics? What should you know about proficiency-based models? Brush up on your terms and be ready to discuss them. - **Prepare** for common interview questions for teachers. Learn the school’s needs. Then brainstorm accomplishments that show how you can help. - **Bring a portfolio.** It’s not for them to read. It’s evidence of your teaching interview answers. Bring materials that shows achievements, like lesson plans, worksheets, and images. - **Dress professionally—***more* professionally than you would for work. That sends the message that you take the interview seriously. - **Listen.** The more you ask and listen, the fewer interview questions for teachers you’ll have to answer. Plus, interested = interesting. - **Make [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/)** with the principal and all *other* interviewers. **What to Bring to a Teaching Interview:** Bring a complete portfolio with student work samples, your evaluations, a copy of transcripts , your teaching license, and your Praxis scores. If you have a completed [unit plan](https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2014/02/12/completed-lesson-plans/) with feedback bring it as well. ![Aleah Denny](https://cdn-images.zety.com/pages/aleah_denny.jpg?1528129291) Aleah Denny H.S. Teacher In a teaching interview, you may face situational interview questions. Those usually start with “Tell me about a time…” Need help prepping? See our guide: ***[20 Situational Interview Questions and Answers to Nail Your Interview](https://zety.com/blog/situational-interview-questions)*** Want more interview tips for teachers and other [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/)? See our guide: [***50+ Successful Interview Tips, Advice & Guidelines***](https://zety.com/blog/interview-tips) ## **Key Takeaway** Here’s a recap of common teacher interview questions and answers: - **Prepare.** Read the 25 teaching interview questions in this guide. Spend the most effort on the top 10. - **Do your homework.** Learn the school’s needs—both online and by talking to their teachers. Prep answers that prove you’ve got solutions. - **Ask questions.** Pick a few general interview questions above. They’ll show you’re present and accounted for. ![Tom Gerencer, CPRW](https://cdn-images.zety.com/authors/tom_gerencer.jpg) [Tom Gerencer, CPRW](https://zety.com/about/tom-gerencer "Tom Gerencer, CPRW") Tom Gerencer, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), is a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) who has published over 200 in-depth articles on Zety. Since 2016, he has been sharing advice on all things recruitment from writing winning [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speed-game-why-early-resumes-win/) and cover letters to getting a promotion. [***Mistakes Job Hunters Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hwE) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-2-2027/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunterresolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** 25 Teacher Interview Questions & Answers [Common & Hard] --- ### [Employers are courting less-educated workers — finally — but they aren’t offering pay increases](https://thebiggamehunter.us/employers-are-courting-less-educated-workers-finally-but-they-arent-offering-pay-increases/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Federal Reserve Bank of New York economist Gizem Kosar may not have cracked the Case of the Missing Wage Growth yet, but she has found a promising lead. **Content:** [Originally published at TheWashingtonPost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/03/employers-are-courting-less-educated-workers-finally-they-arent-offering-pay-increases/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6b630c418fee) By [Andrew Van Dam](https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/andrew-van-dam/) October 3 Federal Reserve Bank of New York economist Gizem Kosar may not have cracked the Case of the Missing Wage Growth yet, but she has found a promising lead. In the July release of labor market data from the bank’s Survey of Consumer Expectations, Kosar and analyst Kyle Smith [noticed something surprising](http://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2018/09/just-released-are-employer-to-employer-transitions-yielding-wage-growth-it-depends-on-the-workers.html): Workers without a bachelor’s degree are switching [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) at the highest rate since the thrice-yearly survey began in 2014, but their salaries have fallen slightly in the past year. ![](https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/PU1bxEXdjsMBczTPoXW3BV_JfBU=/1484x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/HO46DF3TRVDKPEFRGP5BSAJXUA.png) [Continued](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/10/03/employers-are-courting-less-educated-workers-finally-they-arent-offering-pay-increases/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.6b630c418fee) **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Employers are courting less-educated workers --- ### [Resume Mistakes: Not Quantifying Your Impact #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resume-mistakes-not-quantifying-your-impact-shorts/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I have seen this mistake many times. The result is they seem mediocre. **Content:** # Resume Mistakes: Not Quantifying Your Impact **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/XERsZ2sZ52E) I have seen this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) many times. The result is they seem mediocre. [***How Do You Find a Job When You Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Resume Mistakes: Not Quantifying Your Impact --- ### [Stress #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six second job search tip about managing your stress. **Content:** # Stress #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A six second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) tip about managing your stress. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** Stress --- ### [Why Self-Marketing Fails: Stop Selling Start Solving](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-self-marketing-fails-stop-selling-start-solving/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Most people completely fail at self-marketing because they mistake it for arrogant bragging instead of demonstrating value. **Content:** # Why Self-Marketing Fails: Stop Selling Start Solving **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most people completely fail at self-marketing because they [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) it for arrogant bragging instead of demonstrating value. To stand out, you must treat self-marketing as a diagnosis—identifying a company’s specific operational pain points and presenting yourself as the cure. Stop asking for a job and start positioning yourself as an indispensable problem solver who is ready to deliver measurable impact. Most job candidates completely fail at the concept of self-marketing because they [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) it for arrogant bragging instead of demonstrating value. True self-marketing is a diagnosis. You identify a company’s specific operational pain point and present yourself as the cure. Shifting from a me-focused pitch to a you-focused solution transforms you from a candidate asking for a job into an indispensable problem solver. The title [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) is your first major hurdle. Leading with a job title immediately triggers the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s preconceived stereotypes. Pitch your measurable impact instead. Lead with the specific challenges you solve to differentiate yourself from everyone with the same title. You must distinguish between what you are good at and what you actually want to do. Listing every competent skill, including those you dislike, creates a strategic error. Marketing legacy skills or administrative tasks you no longer enjoy attracts job offers for that exact same work. Edit your marketing materials to reflect only future problems you are eager to solve. Use your pitch and [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as strategic tools to dictate future value to a potential employer. Many candidates fall into the interrogation [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), holding questions until the final minutes. This stifles influence, preventing you from unearthing priorities. Instead, weave questions into your answers. When explaining a solution, immediately ask how their team handles that challenge. Shifting from a one-way interrogation to a two-way strategic dialogue provides the clarity the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager needs to make a decision. Focusing on how your skills benefit the company reframes the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) around shared goals, bypassing the psychological barrier of self-promotion. When you communicate as the cure to a specific operational pain, you position yourself as the most logical choice for the role. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Branding, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Why Self-Marketing Fails: Stop Selling Start Solving --- ### [The Executive Playbook: Navigating a C Suite Transition](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-executive-playbook-navigating-a-c-suite-transition/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3095 C suite searches are different than those when you are less experienced. **Content:** # The Executive Playbook: Navigating a C Suite Transition **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3095 C suite searches are different than those when you are less experienced. ***[Secret Interview Hack: Get Hired from Competitions](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ogG)*** Alright, let’s get right into it. If you’re playing in the C-suite, your next big [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move isn’t going to pop up on some job board. It just doesn’t work that way. You need a completely different playbook. And today, we’re going to break down the exact strategy you need to master. How to engage with the elite search firms that honestly hold the keys to the kingdom. So you’re at the absolute top of your game, but you’re thinking about what’s next. Here’s the challenge, right? At this altitude, the air is pretty thin. Finding that perfect opportunity is a really complex and often hitting process. This isn’t about [applying for a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resume-submissions/), it’s about being found and being known by the right people at the right time. And look, this is the fundamental truth you have to get your head around first. The old methods that got you to this point, they’re not going to get you to your next one. A C-suite transition, it demands a super targeted, strategic approach. So forget about volume, forget about casting a wide net. [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) from here on out is all about precision, relationships, and really understanding the landscape. Okay, so to actually execute that strategy, you first have to know who the players are on the field. Because the main insight here is crystal clear. Not all [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are created equal. In fact, for an executive, they’re really two totally distinct universes. And knowing which one to live in, well, that’s everything. This slide, this right here, breaks the whole game down. On one side, you’ve got your contingency firms. They get paid only when they fill a role. And they’re usually competing with a bunch of other firms to do it. It’s a volume game, mostly for non-executive [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). But then, you have retained firms. A company pays them a hefty fee up front, a retainer, to conduct an exclusive search for a top-tier executive. They’re trusted advisors to the board, to the CEO. You see the difference? One is basically transactional, the other is deeply strategic. So here’s the absolute bottom line. [***Spot a Toxic C Suite Job Before It’s Too Late***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oeJ) As an executive, your time, your focus, all of your energy, it has to be pointed exclusively at the retained search world. Period. These are the firms, the only firms, handling the senior leadership roles you’re actually aiming for. Any time you spend somewhere else is just a distraction. So now that we know who we need to talk to, let’s build the action plan. This next phase is all about creating a super-focused target list. And again, this is about surgical precision, not just spraying your profile out to every [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) you can find on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/). This number right here, this is your North Star. Your entire outreach strategy is going to be built around a carefully curated list of just 10 to 15 firms. Now you might be thinking, why so few? Well, because it forces you to do your homework. It forces you to be selective and to focus your precious time only on the firms that are the real power players in your specific corner of the world. And you know, you’re not just pulling these 10 to 15 names out of a hat. The key is to identify the true specialists. You’re looking for the senior partners at firms who have a deep, proven track record, not just in your industry, like tech or healthcare, but also in your specific function, whether you’re a CFO, a CTO, or a head of sales. Okay, you’ve got your list. It’s highly curated, it’s targeted, it’s perfect. Now comes the most critical part, making contact. How you actually engage with these senior partners will literally determine whether you start a powerful relationship or just get ignored. You’ve basically got two paths forward here. Path number one, which is by far the most effective, is getting a warm introduction through your existing network. Path number two is a very carefully planned direct outreach. We’re going to make path one the absolute priority, but we’ll have path two ready in our back pocket just in case. This right here is why your network is your single most valuable [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) asset. An introduction from a trusted contact, maybe a former colleague, a board member you know, a mentor, it instantly elevates you above all the noise. It just bypasses the clutter and gives you immediate credibility with a senior partner who’s probably getting hundreds of cold emails a day. So whether your contact comes through a warm intro or you’re going indirect, that first message, it’s a test. You really only get one chance to make that [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/), and you have to nail it. There are very clear rules of engagement here. Your outreach has to be three things. First, it’s got to be short and respectful of their time. These people are busy. Second, it needs to be a concise introduction to your background. Think your highlight reel, not your life story. And third, a clear forward-looking statement about what you’re aiming for next. This shows them you’re strategic and you know what you want. And now for the single biggest [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-make-the-mistake-i-made-career-angles-shorts/) that so many [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) make. The source material is incredibly clear on this. Whatever you do, do not just attach your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) to an email and hit send. This is what’s known in the industry as a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) dump. ***[What Recruiters Look For and Don’t Look For When They Scan Resumes](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1By)*** And why is that so bad? Well, think about what it signals. It screams that you haven’t done your homework and you’re just blasting your info out to anyone and everyone. It’s transactional, it’s not strategic, and the result is totally predictable. It’s a complete waste of your time, it’s a waste of theirs, and your email is going straight to the delete folder. Okay, so we’ve covered the landscape, the strategy, the execution. Let’s distill all of this down into a simple, powerful playbook that you can literally put into action the second this is over. Here it is, your four-step C-suite playbook. Number one, ignore all the noise and focus exclusively on retained search firms. Number two, build that precise, targeted list of 10 to 15 specialists who live and breathe your world. Number three, and this is the big one, always, always prioritize getting a warm introduction through your network. And finally, number four, when you do reach out, make sure that message is concise, strategic, and never, ever a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) dump. You know, this whole strategy really hinges on two things, relationships and credibility. Which brings us to the final and maybe most critical question you should be asking yourself right now. When it’s time to make that call for an introduction, is your network strong enough and is it ready to go to bat for you? Because the preparation for your next big move, it starts today. ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** The Executive Playbook: Navigating a C Suite Transition --- ### [AI for Introverts: High Quality Research Wins](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-for-introverts-high-quality-research-wins/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Most networking advice tells you to take a highly extroverted back door--blasting your network. Here's something that will work for you. **Content:** # AI for Introverts: High Quality Research Wins **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The front door of the modern [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to an enterprise [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), you are letting an unyielding database dictate whether you’re worthy of being spoken to as well as your market value. But most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to take a highly extroverted back door–blasting your network, attending exhausting mixers, or cold-calling old colleagues to ask for a vague favor. For an introvert, this approach is a massive energetic drain. More importantly, it shifts the cognitive burden of “finding a fit” onto a busy contact, which usually results in polite radio silence. To break through without burning out, you have to execute a direct, peer-level approach that actually favors an introverted skill set: you skip the superficial social transactional cycles entirely and obtain access by offering deep, asynchronous solutions to a complex corporate vulnerability. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) tool to execute this strategy is artificial intelligence. But the market is currently getting this completely wrong. Professionals are using LLMs to spam corporate networks with generic boilerplate. Decision-makers spot that automated noise quickly. As an introvert, your natural strength is deep analysis, not glad-handing. You need to understand a fundamental rule of the modern [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) landscape: **[AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is a force multiplier, but multipliers work both ways. If you multiply generic automation, you just get a mountain of spam. But if you multiply high-fidelity [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), you get immediate access to the room.** Stop letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you with synthetic enthusiasm that inaccurately represents you. Instead, use it as your internal Chief of Staff to run deep, surgical diagnostic [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s public pain points. You don’t need a massive network; you just need a few highly accurate, data-driven observations that sound like an indispensable peer who already understands their business. ### 1. Sourcing High Fidelity Research Privately If you feed an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model a generic prompt like, *“Write a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) message to a COO,”* the multiplier runs backward. It generates a wall of synthetic enthusiasm with phrases like *“I hope this finds you well”* or *“In today’s fast-paced corporate climate”* that triggers someone’s mental spam filter and compromises your professional posture. To make the multiplier work for you, lean into your natural preference for quiet, solitary investigation. Gather the target company’s recent public data trails. Grab their latest quarterly earnings call transcript, a recent industry [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) given by their CEO, or their main competitor’s macro moves. Feed that raw text into the model. Give [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) a highly structured diagnostic prompt: > *“Analyze this transcript from the perspective of an institutional investor. Identify the top two operational or infrastructure risks implied by this growth strategy. Cross-reference these risks with my core expertise in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction this leadership team will face.”* Now you’re leveraging the machine for raw data synthesis, not generic writing. You are uncovering the strategic deficits of your target companies quietly, behind the scenes, before ever saying hello. ### 2. The 80/20 Rule: Enforcing Low-Friction Cadence Once you have isolated the data, keep a strict 80/20 operational rule. Let the the system do the heavy cognitive lifting of [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and pattern recognition (the 80%). You handle the final execution (the 20%) to inject your own human voice, rhythm, and industry shorthand. To strip away the corporate boilerplate that betrays an automated script, run the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) back through with a strict fluff-decoupling digital directive: > *“Review this observation. Strip out all generic corporate boilerplate, introductory filler, and synthetic enthusiasm. Shorten the sentences to vary the cadence, use direct active verbs, and ensure the tone reflects the clinical brevity of a busy operator.”* When you get the output, manually verify it. Busy [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) write with short, punchy paragraphs. Your message should match that exact baseline. It shouldn’t sound like a sales pitch; it should read like an internal memo. ### 3. Engineering the Low-Interaction Value Hook Let me show you what happens when you multiply high quality [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) instead of generic automation. I recently worked with an introverted Ops Lead who cringed at the idea of traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) calls. We used [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to analyze a target company’s earnings report. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) isolated a specific comment from the CFO about localized margin compression due to a recent regional warehouse consolidation. We didn’t look for an open job description, and we didn’t ask for a “virtual coffee chat.” We targeted a peer-level contact in that department and sent a direct, one paragraph note written with brevity: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s regional warehouse integration this quarter. Having navigated a restructuring at my last firm, I noticed that inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief, 1-page framework on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag. No strings attached. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* They responded within three hours. Why? Because the message wasn’t automated spam begging for a chat; it was a high quality delivery of value that could be reviewed asynchronously. They traded notes over text, and the contact ultimately routed the file directly past the corporate filters into the internal priority lane. A few months later it resulted in them being invited to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for a new role and ultimately being hired. ### The Bottom Line Traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) rewards the loudest voice, but AI-driven strategy rewards the deepest preparation. If you use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to blast generic messages to thousands of people, you are simply automating your own rejection and exhausting your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). Stop letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you. Use your natural analytical baseline to uncover the strategic deficits of your target companies, map the pain points your future peers are facing, and approach the market with a solution in hand. That is how you bypass the filtering software, skip the small talk, and get the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on your own terms. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Your Choice Determines Your Success***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gFZ) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[What Are the Biggest Mistakes Job Hunters Make?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Mg)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking **Tags:** AI for Introverts: High Quality Research Wins --- ### [The Disengaged Interviewer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-disengaged-interviewer/) **Published:** July 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3094 Have you ever been interviewed by someone who isn't paying attention? I know I wasn't perfect when I interviewed people. Here's how to deal with it. **Content:** # The Disengaged Interviewer **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3094 Have you ever been interviewed by someone who isn’t paying attention? I know I wasn’t perfect when I interviewed people. Here’s how to deal with it. [***Fix Your Resume: Stop Giving Away Your Age!***](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qoQlbl1oD7lHo0yscAtGL) Alright, let’s dive right into something that I think we’ve all felt before. You’re in a [job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-this-question-on-your-next-job-interview-3/), you’re doing your absolute best, but the interviewer, they look like they’d rather be literally anywhere else. It’s a terrible feeling, right? Makes you feel completely powerless. Well today, we’re going to talk about how to flip that script and handle it like a total pro. So, picture this, you’re in the hot seat, we’ve prepped for days, you know your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-isnt-always-the-first-impression-shorts/) inside and out, but the person across from you is just gone. Completely zoned out. So what do you do? Do you just keep talking into the void and hope something sticks? Or is there a way to take back control? Oh, you know the signs, right? The classic glance at the watch, maybe they’re checking their phone under the table. You get these short, kind of vague answers to your questions. There are no [follow-ups](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-master-follow-ups/). And you get that sinking feeling in your stomach that says, yep, I am losing them. Right. So let’s put a name to this whole mess. We’re going to call it the awkward interview. It’s that moment when the whole vibe is just off and you start second-guessing every single word coming out of your mouth. And let’s be more specific, the person causing this is the disengaged interviewer. It’s someone who is just clearly bored, distracted, or otherwise not present. Just spotting this is one thing, but what you do next, that’s what makes all the difference. So how do you actually handle it? Well, here’s the secret. It’s not just what you do, it’s when you do it. Before you make any move, you’ve got to read the room. And for that, timing is absolutely everything. ***[Stupid Interview Mistakes: Appearing Unmotivated](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2tr)*** You have to ask yourself, when is this happening? Look, if they seem a little distracted in the first two minutes, just let it go. Seriously. They could be shifting gears from their last meeting, thinking about lunch, whatever. Don’t overthink it. But if you’re 15, 20 minutes in and it’s still happening, okay, now you’ve got a pattern and it’s time to figure out what’s really going on. And this brings us to the main event. This is the power move. Instead of just sitting there and taking it, you’re going to pull out a very simple but incredibly powerful tool, the direct question. It sounds intimidating, but it’s really just two easy steps. First, just pause. Stop talking. Take a breath. Get calm. The silence itself is powerful. Then, you’re going to address what’s happening, directly, but really, really politely. And here’s the phrase. You can pretty much use this word for word. You say, you know, I could be reading this wrong, but I get the sense you’re not interested in this interview. Am I catching you at a bad time? See how brilliant that is? It’s not an attack. You’re giving them an out. You’re just asking for information. And let’s be super clear here. The goal is clarity, not confrontation. You’re a detective. You’re just trying to figure something out. Is there an emergency at work, distracting them? Or have you said something that made them decide you’re not a fit? You don’t know, so you’re just asking. Okay, so you’ve asked the question. Now what? Well, their answer is going to send you down one of two paths, and each one has a really clear next step for you. So here’s the fork in the road. Option one. They say something like, oh, I’m so sorry, yes, there’s a crisis with a client, my mind is elsewhere. Great. You just show some understanding, maybe even [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/) to reschedule. But if they say, well, to be honest, I haven’t heard the experience I’m looking for, ding, ding, ding, that’s your answer. They’ve just told you it’s not a fit. And the moment you get that confirmation, the moment they tell you it’s not a fit, it is time for your professional exit. This isn’t about storming out. It’s about ending the interview on your own terms, with total class. And here’s your script for that. [***Career Management Mistakes: 10 Things You May Be Doing Wrong***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8x) You immediately call me, say, okay, I appreciate your honesty, and I definitely don’t want to waste any more of your time. Thank you, and good luck with the search. And that’s it. You stand up, shake their hand, and walk out with your head held high. You just respected your own time and theirs. Now this leads us to the single most important rule in this entire playbook. The golden rule. No matter what happens, no matter how they respond, you never ever get nasty. The second you get defensive or rude, all you’re doing is proving them right. Look, your professionalism is everything. It’s your currency in the working world. By handling this situation with grace, you leave a good impression, even if you didn’t get the job. Trust me, the world is small. You never ever want to burn a bridge. So it kind of leaves you with the final thought, right? We always walk into an interview thinking the person on the other side of the table holds all the power. But when you have the confidence to ask for clarity, and the professionalism to walk away from a situation that isn’t right for you, well, who really has the power then? Something to think about. That’s it for this time. See you on the next one. ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-2-2027/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***How to Elicit Missing Information***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2ni) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** The Disengaged Interviewer --- ### [Finding Where The Hidden Job Market is Hiding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Shally Steckerl explains many best practices for finding opportunities, information and people to network with on this show. **Content:** # Finding Where The Hidden Job Market is Hiding **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **FROM THE ARCHIVES** I have yet to find anyone who brings more [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) or passion to sourcing job opportunities than Shally Steckerl. Shally explains many [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) practices for finding opportunities, information and people to network with on this show. You will want to take notes during this show or be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to listen to it several times. ***[Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7)*** **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** This is No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio, episode 1316. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and welcome. Now, I’m finishing up this week of shows from [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Radio, the early days. And this was one of my favorites: an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Shally Steckerl, who was a sourcing [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/), on finding where the hidden job market is. It is, it was one of my favorite [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Hope you find it helpful, hope it helps you too. And if you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). Mention that you listened to this video, or listened to the show, I should say, because frankly, I like knowing that I’m helping some folks. And also because I’m bumping up against LinkedIn’s limitations for first-level connections, I’m only accepting connection requests from people in the US who are not in certain fields like insurance or financial services or real estate, or overseas, unless they make mention of listening to the show or watching my videos. Sorry about that folks, but like I said, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) limits the number of connections that you can have, and this is my way of dealing with it. Now with that, let’s get going. Hi, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and welcome. I start off each show with a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) tip that I call the “job search insider.” And today I want to talk with you about expanding your vision of the kind of firms that you look for. You see, the propaganda’s pretty obvious as to how people get taught about how they should look for work. And the advantage is always to the large firm. After all, large firms always [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) stability, right? Well, wrong. If anything, if you look at the statistics from this recession, yes, small companies have gone out of business, without question. But large firms have [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) hundreds of thousands of workers. Many of them have sold off operations, they’ve moved businesses to private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), and many smaller firms, frankly, have been the growth engine for the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) that’s been going on. By focusing on only large firms, what often happens is you put yourself in the position of competing with so many people for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) when there’s so many other firms out there that you could be looking for, looking at. So again, don’t neglect smaller or mid-sized firms because you think that they [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) stability. Experience tells me that they don’t, and that many of the new [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) being created are being done by the smaller and mid-sized firms. So that’s my tip for today. Let me introduce my guest for this time, which is Shally Steckerl, who’s the president of The Sourcing Institute and has 18 years of sourcing and recruiting experience. Shally’s background is building enterprise recruiting engines for Fortune 500 brands, helping them efficiently find unfindable talent. He’s the author of the industry textbook, *The Talent Sourcing and Recruitment Handbook*. Shally, welcome to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Radio. Great to have you on. **Shally Steckerl:** Thank you, and an honor and a pleasure to be here. Appreciate the invite. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** You’re welcome, and I’ve been a fan of yours, oh, for the longest time, back to JobMachine. **Shally Steckerl:** Wow, thank you. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** You’re welcome. You know, with that kind of an introduction, I just want to alert our listeners to the fact that we’re going to focus today on finding the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that are not easy to find. Going out there and where do you find all these [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)? And I want to encourage you to get something to take some notes with, because Shally is a master at this kind of work. So, where do people start? How do they start finding some of these organizations, Shally? **Shally Steckerl:** Yeah, well, you know, I want to bounce off of something that you mentioned during the intro, which was about the large [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) being the ones that kind of get all the press and all the juju around, you know, people wanting to go work for them. And I think around the world, that’s very much the case. But I kind of sit on both sides of the fence with that one, I’ve got to be honest with you. Part of me is, my business is to develop the efficient recruiting strategies for those, exactly those companies. But at the same time, I’m the other kind of company. And as a matter of fact, today I just hired a young lady that starts on Monday, that is a recent college grad, and I’ve got a lot of hope that that’s going to turn into a really good opportunity for her and for us. So, you know, I’m here to tell you that I think a lot of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) that goes on is with the small businesses. And it’s just, it just kind of goes unnoticed. And a lot of the growth comes from there. The challenge is, how do you identify those [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) because most of those kinds of companies, including, for example, myself, we don’t have the big budgets to post ads in the big job board distribution networks and all that. It’s not like I can afford to, you know, spend a bunch of money to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) an entry-level person right now. So, how do you find out about those [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)? They’re not, they’re not easy to find, and that’s I think part of what you wanted me to come [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to talk about today, right? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** Absolutely, because so often people go to the job boards, they go on, you know, to all the obvious places that you and I know about, and don’t use some of those [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) tools that you’ve pioneered for so long. So, where’s the starting place that people should begin with? **Shally Steckerl:** Well, the challenge with where the starting place is really comes from identifying what you want to do first. Not that I want to get into career advising or consulting, but really, what I, my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) advice is always to narrow your field down and find a handful of companies, maybe a list of top 10 companies in your mind that you want to target. Not because of their size and not because they’re the top 10 [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) of choice, but because they’re in the business that you want to be in, or they do the things that you want to do. And then focus all of your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) and attention on trying to penetrate those companies by [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) in through all of your available resources, including social media and, you know, the friends and family and all that. So I’m not saying go out and find, you know, the 10 big companies. I’m saying, what do you want to do? If you want to, if you want to sell software, then look at what 10 companies that are really cool, interesting, exciting, that are small or even medium-sized companies, not just the big ones. And where do you go for that? Well, there’s a couple of places that I would recommend going for that. Something I want to point out though right from the beginning is, part of this is about conducting [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) around those, identifying those companies. It’s not about finding the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Because as I said, like with the [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) that I just made now, that wasn’t a job that was publicly advertised on a job board. Often times, these [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) aren’t, quote-unquote, open to the public, you know, because they’re not really published. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** So what’s going to happen is once you identify the firm, you may use informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and other forms of [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) to get the kind of penetration you need to introduce yourself to that organization. **Shally Steckerl:** Exactly, right. So the first thing is, find relevant companies. Then the second thing is, find relevant people at those relevant companies. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small company. Once you have those relevant companies, then you start targeting people for, for [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) because when you go in to do [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), it’s, it’s um, I like to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) to it as the mental Rolodex example, or the mental Rolodex exercise. You know, if I, if I go to you and say, “Hey Jeff, who do you know?”, your mind draws a blank. You’re like, “Well, gee, Shally, I know some people, I know a lot of people in fact, but what do you mean who do I know, about what?” But what if instead I go, “Hey Jeff, who do you know that’s in biotech in Atlanta?” Or, “Who do you know that works in a startup in Boston?” Then, I can, then you can, your mind starts thinking, “Oh, okay. I can narrow it down. Like, first I’m gonna think who do I know in Boston? Who do I know that’s…” And that way, your social [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), in-person and online, is more efficient. So rather than going around asking, “Who do you know that’s [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)?”, instead, “Who do you know that works at this company?” or “Who do you know that works in this sector?” and you can start narrowing the field. So you find the relevant companies, then you find the relevant people, and you use your network to get closer and closer to those people. And if you’re lucky enough to get an informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), that may lead to an introduction to someone else and so on. And in my case, as a matter of fact just today, the informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) turned into “You’re hired” because the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) went that well. But your question still stands, which is, where do you find those things? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** And I want to just pause you for a second and say, you sound like a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). This is exactly what we do professionally to find, to network our way from one person to another to another in order to find that one individual our clients are going to want to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). Beautifully done. Please continue, Shally, you’re doing great. **Shally Steckerl:** So there’s a place, there’s a couple of places I would point to. One of them is a company that recently, well maybe not so recently, sold to salesforce.com, and it’s called Jigsaw. It was called Jigsaw when it was sold. Now, I believe it’s just called data.com. The reason I’m pointing you there is because it’s, it’s free use, you can set up an account for free, and it’s a, it’s a barter, an exchange, it’s a, it’s a swap meet of business contacts. What that means is, you bring your contacts in, enter them into the system, and for every contact that you put in, you then are able to get out someone else’s contact. And it’s a barter system, much like I don’t know back in the day if anybody remembers Rolodex parties, where business people would get together for an hour and, you know, have maybe pizza or whatever, and everybody would bring their Rolodexes with them. And you know, like, “Well, I used to work with IBM but I don’t work with them anymore, here’s a contact at IBM. Do you know anybody at Microsoft?” and then the other person would swap cards. Pretty much that. \\par Now Salesforce owns it, and it still remains free, and you can play for free by swapping contacts, or you can also pay and get the data. So either way, if you want to pay by putting your effort in or pay by putting your dollars in, it’s not very expensive, but either way you get the results. And then what you do is you go in there once you’ve targeted those companies, and find people with job titles that are so close to that, that you know you can get an introduction to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) authorities. It’s not going to be necessarily able to find *the* [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager that would be the one that hires you, but you might, of course, but through something like this, for example Jigsaw, you can identify the names of people that are close to that department, then send them, for example, a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) invite or something or even just an email, “Hey, I want to meet you, I’m looking for an opportunity in this area, want to ask a couple questions”, informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I’m sure you’ve talked about that many times on your show. So that’s a good starting point. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** And I want to just tell the listeners, I think they just recently dropped the Jigsaw domain and they’re now using data.com exclusively. And when you do that exchange, they’re not looking for the home email address of someone. They’re looking for the professional email address. So you can’t give them a Gmail or a Hotmail account, you have to give them the desk account for them, because otherwise they’re just not going to accept it. And there’s another service that’s similar and I think maybe a little bit better than theirs: ZoomInfo, which I know professionally [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use all over the world. And I think they have a way where if you open up Outlook to them, if you’re using Outlook and you open that up to them, they’ll allow you access to their database as well because in effect, what they’re going to do is update their database with your information in there, in order to maintain its relevance. So that’s an alternate service to data.com. **Shally Steckerl:** Right. So with that, ZoomInfo doesn’t have a free version except for when you provide these contacts through integrating your email. So that is correct, but you have to basically give up… they’re going to look in your inbox and update all the [contact information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) they have on the people from extracting signature files in your email: first name, last name, email address, job titles for all those people, which might be fine. Just be sure you’re not doing this from your employer and violating any kind of internal corporate [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), you know… **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** Absolutely. Thank you for pointing that out, Shally. **Shally Steckerl:** Just, you know, be aware. Then also, the other thing would be, interestingly enough, I’ll give you… actually, I’m going to give you two more. One is [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and I’m sure you’re like, “Oh great,” roll your eyes up into your head and go, “Hey, tell me something I haven’t heard, Shally, like really, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), seriously?” But what I’m actually going to tell you about [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is different than what most people are going to tell you about [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). What I’m saying is, once you’re inside of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and you’ve identified, remember the first stage is identify those 10 companies that you want to target, you can choose one of those companies and look them up on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). And what happens is, often those companies, most companies now have a company page, whether that page is a premium page that that company has actually acquired the rights to manage and is updating constantly, or it is a free page that’s been created for that company by [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), of course, makes the difference easy to understand. If the company is sponsored, then the company gets to put their content on it. If the company’s page is free, like with a small business like mine, they’re simply just going to list, “Here’s the people that work at this company, and here’s the name of the company,” etc. But here’s the interesting thing in it: you look for that company, and as you identify a company that you’re interested in, go to their company page. For example, if you were to look at let’s say, ZoomInfo as a company, right? And on their company page, on the right-hand side as you view it, partway down there’s a sort of a navigation menu or bar that begins at the top with how you’re connected to people at this company, and then below there might be, if they’re managing and paying for it, there might be some posts from the company itself. But scroll a little bit lower, and there’s a little box that sort of hides there, and it says, “People also viewed.” What is interesting about that little box on the right-hand side is that there’ll be six icons of companies that are very similar to that company. What’s important about that is that this is a human-edited database, as opposed to a lot of the other websites that [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) information about businesses and they use, for example, SIC codes or some other kind of industry typification or codification system that limits their ability to select whether the company is, for example, in manufacturing or in services. Well, what if they do both? What if they’re in fast-moving goods and in services? So when you go on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and you look up that company, for example as you mentioned earlier ZoomInfo, and you look on the right-hand side under “People also viewed,” you’ll notice InsideView, and OneSource, and Dun & Bradstreet, which all provide business information, and you’ll also notice NetProspex, which is a small startup. That’s neat because that’s probably not a company you would have ever thought of before! But those are the kinds of companies that are [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for the kinds of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that aren’t really very widely published, just because they don’t have the wherewithal and the means to do that. So now you have another, because of your original target company, you now have another company that you can look at, and of course, now go back to everything else you’ve ever been told about [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and do all the other stuff. But at this point, you now have identified another company. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** And thus, a person could go out and do [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) about that firm. And I just want to back up the one thing, one term you used: SIC codes. This is a code that’s been generated to define an industry. I don’t recall the organization that created these codes, but they’re, I think they’re three-digit codes primarily, and correct me if I’m wrong, Shally, that define a firm by its industry. Annoying, useless, only if you’re doing aggressive [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) do you want to know these things. You can find all the same information through other vehicles. **Shally Steckerl:** It’s the US Census Bureau, and it’s the Standard Industrial Classification system, SIC. There are others, there’s a five-digit one, but basically what these do is they put a company into a bucket. Like Xerox is a heavy equipment office manufacturer, heavy office equipment manufacturer. Well, yeah, but they’re also so much more than that. And nowadays, companies are so flexible and so dynamic that there’s not just one code. So that’s why that’s kind of going out of date, out of style. \\par What you’ll find on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is that those six icons are there because other people like you that are [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), for business opportunities, for all kinds of reasons that they’re on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), are clicking on those companies because those companies are like the other company that they clicked on. So it’s a kind of a human association game, you know, like word association. If I say “brown,” what do you think? Oh, “chocolate,” or whatever, right? So that’s what’s happening on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is, I say “ZoomInfo” and you say, “Oh, NetProspex.” Well, I didn’t know about NetProspex. Now, guess what I can do? I can take NetProspex’s domain, netprospex.com, and I can go to Google and type in the “related” command: `related:` (that’s r-e-l-a-t-e-d colon), and then the domain, in this case `netprospex.com`, without any spaces after the colon. So `related:netprospex.com`, and then Google will give me back a dozen or so sometimes other websites that are statistically similar based on Google’s PageRank analysis. So what Google is saying is, “Like this NetProspex, here are a dozen other websites that have a lot of the same content.” And now, from NetProspex, I can see other companies like InsideView, which is another organization, OneSource, which came up earlier, and here’s data.com, which we’ve been talking about before, as well as ZoomInfo, as well as Hoovers. So I’m able to build a target list. Now, I can go into data.com or ZoomInfo or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or into my Rolodex or send an email out to all of my friends and colleagues and ask, “Does anybody know anybody that works at NetProspex or at InsideView?” And then I can ask for an introduction. That’s the way I recommend you go about doing it. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** And if you… it’s beautiful what you’ve laid out for folks, and I hope you’ve been taking notes, gang. And if you haven’t, listen to this audio again. There’s going to be plenty of more information coming. And one thing I just want to mention to the listeners is that there’s a little Chrome extension that makes one part of this easier for folks if you use Google Chrome, and that is if you want to see who’s in your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) network easily who might work at one of these firms, it’s an extension called “Who Works At.” And it will tell you who in your network works at these firms, so you can reach out to them about a role. It’s a nice little tool. So now that they have this list, we’re reaching out to folks, trying and doing informational [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) with them, and that’s beautiful. Are there other tools or techniques that you can suggest to folks in order to find some of these avenues, the non-job board situations? **Shally Steckerl:** Yes, absolutely. So I would say don’t limit yourself to just [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), because not everybody’s on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). There are only 93 million people in the United States on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and of course, you know the population of the United States is far bigger than that. In fact, if you just limited it to people that are employed, that would be at least double that number if not greater. So not everybody’s on there and you’re not going to find everyone for a variety of reasons. So try other places as well. Chances are very likely that you will find them on Facebook, because a majority of people do have a Facebook account. I’m not saying everyone, there are of course still people who don’t have a Facebook account. But if you can put their name, their first and last name, into Facebook Graph Search, for example, or just… you will be able to find their page, and even if you’re not connected to them, you might see who’s connected to them from you. In other words, second degree or third degree away, a friend of a friend. And you might be able to send them a message. Most people have the messaging enabled. Now those messages are not emails, they’re Facebook messages that go into their Facebook inbox. So if they’re not using Facebook or don’t log in very much, they may never get it. But it’s at least one other alternative way to contact them, especially if you don’t have an email address or a phone number for the person. And again, use the same kind of pitch as before: “I’m [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), want to meet some people at this company or in this business.”\\par Another thing that you can do is simply inside of Facebook, taking advantage of Facebook’s Graph Search that’s already built-in, which is very intuitive, and it uses natural phrases, natural language. By that I mean, you ask a question the way that you would ask a question verbally to another person. So, for example on Facebook, up in the top bar, you can start typing: “People… people that work at NetProspex.” **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** Interesting. **Shally Steckerl:** It’ll… yeah, and it’ll bring back… so you just type “people that work at NetProspex” and it’ll bring back NetProspex’s page, as well as a list of all the people on Facebook that work at NetProspex. And then, here’s the nice thing about it, on the right-hand side, there’s a refinement that you’re allowed to do that allows you to narrow it down by position, so for example, [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or VP of sales, right? And you can now search amongst the NetProspex contacts in Facebook for those that have that title. You can also search by location, say only the ones that are in my state in Georgia, or in a city in Atlanta, or in a hometown, etc. like that, or even how close they are to you. So you could say, “Show me all the people that I know that work at NetProspex,” or “Show me all the people that my friends know that work at NetProspex,” and that would be your second degree, if you will. And you can even go a third: “friends of my friends’ friends,” that’s about as far as you go. You can also find people that are not my friends, that would be strangers, but it might be a little bit more difficult, more challenging to reach them, where it might be easier if there’s someone between you and I, and I can call that person to get introduced to you or email that person to get introduced to you. But Facebook, because of size and because of the kind of information that they’re putting together intelligently, rather than requiring people to enter it—see, that’s the difference. On Jigsaw or data.com, as you said, I have to put a business card in, and they expect business information. On ZoomInfo, that information is found by their robots, like Google if you will. On [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), that information is entered by the user. These are three different ways: either I’m giving somebody your information, the web is finding your information, or you’re putting your information in on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). On Facebook, I started by creating the account, but then Facebook is asking everybody else that knows me questions about me and confirming that information and putting it in here. So that’s why once in a while you’ll get a message that says, “Do you know blah blah from so and so or such and such?” or “Did you use to work… Shally just said that you used to work with him, is that true or not?” And when you do that, that starts to build that profile. So Graph Search is able to capture that information and be a very accurate way to search. So you’ve got yet another avenue at your disposal. Now don’t be [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) that Facebook is social or, “Well, I only have my personal stuff on Facebook.” That’s fine. You can share only what you want to share. You can make sure that your page settings are such that you’re not sharing any photos with people, for example, that you don’t know, or any blog posts or anything. You have full control over what you want to show or not show. And it’s perfectly okay to ask for an introduction through Facebook, even though you’re not sharing all of your content, because it’s much the same way in a business meeting. When you show up to a business meeting, you talk about your abilities, your skills, and you ask questions about the company. You don’t necessarily talk about your personal life. It might come up, but it’s not usually appropriate. So it’s understood that when you’re talking business, it doesn’t matter if it’s on Facebook or on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), you keep it to business. So it’s okay to use Facebook—totally okay to use Facebook—to approach people and network. That’s what it’s for. You might even find high school colleagues, you know, that were high school alumni with you that are now people who work at that company. And now you’ve kind of, you know, you got two wins: one, you’re reconnecting with someone that you used to know, and two, you’re getting introduced to a company. Or maybe someone that was part of your sorority or fraternity or a volunteer organization or something like that, and that helps you make that introduction. So identify the company, then look for the people, get the introductions, and then keep [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) off of that. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** So Shally, so far you’ve spoken about using services like data.com, and I added in ZoomInfo, and then we moved to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and using company pages to find relevant information about similar firms to the ones that you’ve targeted, and now we’ve moved over to using Facebook to really network effectively. How does Twitter fit into all of this? And I just want to say, we have a limited amount of time, so excuse me if we keep this concise, okay? **Shally Steckerl:** Absolutely. Well, Twitter does fit in, but Twitter is a little bit less… it’s a little bit more shallow of a relationship, okay? So on the scale of depth of relationships, you have the ability to have a much deeper relationship on Facebook than on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), because on Facebook you can have social, you can have games and interactions that are outside of that. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is kind of strictly business. Twitter is even shallower than that because, you know, I may follow you and you may not know who I am, I may be a complete stranger, or you may follow me and I may not know who you are. So it’s a much lighter environment, and it’s also louder. It’s lighter and louder, which means that the gig on Twitter is to be able to be found, and to use Twitter as a way to grow your network. But when you go to search on Twitter, it’s very limited because you only can find the information that person has either tweeted or is on their bio. You can go to search.twitter.com and look for people that have a particular job title or company name in their title, and also you can do a radius search by location. But that only works if that person on their Twitter identified that location. So if I on my Twitter account typed in “Atlanta, Georgia,” then you might find me. But since it’s a blank entry form, I can actually type in, you know, “third planet from the sun,” and that’s what shows up, which won’t come up obviously when you’re searching for Atlanta, Georgia. And I might have my job title and my company name, or I might choose not to. So Twitter can be a little bit too far removed, but you do want to, if you are using it, you do want to have your information on there and follow people that are in that industry. So the way that you use Twitter for this is, you’re looking to connect with people in the, you know, in the content management industry. Well, great, follow really good, top-notch thinkers in content management on Twitter, and then you have what’s called the halo effect. Because I’m hanging out with smart people in content management, other people think that I’m also a smart person in content management or I’m associated with them, and you ad-hoc network that way. So that’s the way that you can use Twitter. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** Beautiful. Is there one last tip for the audience that you have for them that will help them find or network into some of these harder-to-find situations, the non-job board situations? **Shally Steckerl:** Yes. You probably have a ton of spreadsheets on your computer of, um, lists of people. This could be, you know, from a, from a sales lead list or something like that, business cards that you scanned in over time. You can use that Excel spreadsheet, save it as a comma-delimited or CSV file, and you can upload that spreadsheet into [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and Facebook, and Twitter, and many others, by the way. \\par When you do that, for example on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), you upload the spreadsheet of, you know, maybe it’s a contact spreadsheet of all the people that you knew at a particular company, or all the alumni from a particular organization, or whatever. When you do that, then [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) will go through there and see if any of the emails match IDs of people that already have [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) accounts, and give you the option of saying, “Hey, assuming that you already know this person because you’ve got their email address, which means you probably know them, would you like to send them an invitation to connect?” And now you’re simply sending an invitation to connect to someone that you already know or used to know without having to do all the necessary legwork of finding them. Same thing happens on Facebook and Twitter, you can import that. Really, all you need is a list of first name, last name, and emails, in fact, quite frankly, just the emails, that’s what they look for. But if you have first name, last name, and email in any kind of system—a CRM system that you used when you were, you know, selling real estate, or whatever—anything that is a pile of email addresses, you can put that into these systems and ask the system to recognize people that you already know. And in some of them, like on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and Facebook, you can even scan through your Yahoo and Gmail to look for contacts inside of there, like we were talking about with ZoomInfo. And you might find… for example, last time I did this, not that long ago, I found 800 people in my Gmail that I had not connected with! These are people that have emailed me, we’ve had exchanges with, we’ve had conversations, but it never occurred to me to ask them to connect on Facebook. So all of a sudden, now I got 800 new connections on Facebook, and they’re people that I already know, but wasn’t connected to. So that’s another tool that’s in your arsenal. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** So folks, what Shally and I have been talking about here is mobilizing all your resources. Mobilizing all your relationships in some way, shape, or form so that you can do the legwork for the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) that you do. The [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) starts off with you figuring out the kind of organization you want to work for and what you want to do for them. That’s the starting place that Shally started off with. And then from there, using all these tools that he’s been talking about, find people with whom you can do informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) or who you may know well enough already to ask for introductions. And when you do those introductions, do not hesitate to ask at the end of the chat with someone: “Is there something I need to know or something you want to tell me about what I’ve done here that would be helpful for me in my [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/)?” [Asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/) from people is a big part of what gives them a good feeling about this process. Always ask for advice, don’t always act as though you’re just there for yourself. Shally, we’ve been racing through a ton of material. Thank you so much for making time to do this and, folks, if you haven’t gotten it all, listen to the show again. He’s giving you so much to work with, that’s terrific. Before we go, Shally, um, tell folks how they might be able to get a copy of your book. **Shally Steckerl:** Well, my book is on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and in most bookstores. It’s called *The Talent Sourcing and Recruitment Handbook*, and it’s a 500-page textbook. If you are interested in becoming a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), this is your textbook into doing that. And we also have on our website, `thesourcinginstitute.com`, we have an online curriculum that’s a diploma or certificate program that will teach you how to be a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) if you’re interested in that. But the book is *The Talent Sourcing and Recruitment Handbook*, and you can get it from Amazon, or if you want a short URL, here’s an easy one to remember: `shally.me/shallybook`. `shally.me/shallybook`. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/):** So that’s today’s show. I hope you find it helpful, and if you did, here are a few ways to get even more from me. First of all, visit my website, www.thebiggamehunter.us. I have several thousand blog posts there that you can watch, listen to, or read to help you find your next job. Connect with me on LinkedIn at [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). Once we’re connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), you can message me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you, speaking with me about a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile critique, help with a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation, my trusted advisor services, as well as scheduling me through Magnifi or for prestoexperts.com. Like you, I don’t work for free. I’ll be back tomorrow with more. In the meantime, have a great day. Be great! [***Minimizing Risk with Your Job Search or Career Change***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fps) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[You Don’t Need a Job Description](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-283)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* ### [***The Hidden Job Market: How to Find Jobs Before Everyone Else Applies: Discover Hidden Hiring Channels, Get Referred Faster, and Land Interviews Without Competing on Public Job Boards***](https://amzn.to/4vC8XRM) **Categories:** Job Leads, Text, The Job Market **Tags:** finding job leads, Finding where the hidden job market is hiding, How to Find Job Leads, Shally Steckerl, the hidden job market, The Hidden Market --- ### [How to Time Your Interview Follow-Up #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) **Published:** July 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** to me, giving a thumbs up like the upload I just provided **Content:** # How to Time Your Interview Follow-Up #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you want to know when to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) after an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), don’t make this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). [***Minimizing Risk with Your Job Search or Career Change***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fps) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve job search, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your job search at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their job search. Leave job search questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[You Don’t Need a Job Description](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-283)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Follow Up **Tags:** How to time your interview follow-up, Timing your interview follow-up --- ### [The Top 10 Highest Paying Marketing Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-highest-paying-marketing-jobs-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** From an Article by TrackMaven.com, this is a video where I tell you what they are. **Content:** # The Top 10 Highest Paying Marketing Jobs **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** From an Article by TrackMaven.com, this is a video where I tell you what they are. [This is a link to the article](https://trackmaven.com/blog/10-highest-paying-marketing-jobs/) ## [***LinkedIn Profile Differentiation***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Ka) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3200 episodes. ### **[*Minimizing Risk with Your Job Search or Career Change*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fps)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[You Don’t Need a Job Description](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-283)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Careers **Tags:** Marketing jobs, The highest paying marketing jobs, the top 10 highest paying marketing jobs --- ### [Recruiters Don’t Fill That Many Jobs #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** One thing recruiters know that you may not know is that they don't fill that many jobs. **Content:** # Recruiters Don’t Fill That Many Jobs **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/cliJqI3blWw) One thing [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) know that you may not know is that they don’t fill that many [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). [***They Are All Lying (In a Job Search)***](https://wp.me/s4aIk1-in) One thing [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) know that most Job hunters don’t, they don’t fill that many [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Now, even if you’re in a large city, how many [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) do you think one [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) fills? It’s not a lot. A very successful one, If can hit fill 30 a year, 50, and you live in New York, LA, Chicago, Dallas, and 50’s a lot. And imagine that one recruiting firm has 50 [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). That translates into (and this is for a very successful one) filling full time positions– 2500 out of that one office. That’s highly unlikely. So don’t just simply focus on recruiting firms or job ads. Start working your network to try and get more results. There’s a lot more at [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us). Go to the blog. There is info to help you. ## [***LinkedIn Profile Differentiation***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Ka) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) with over 3000 episodes. ### **[*Minimizing Risk with Your Job Search or Career Change*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fps)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-in-a-troubled-economy/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[You Don’t Need a Job Description](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-283)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Recruiters, #Shorts, Text **Tags:** recruiter, recruiters, recruiters don't fill many jobs, what recruiters don't tell you, What Recruiters Know That You Don’t --- ### [No BS Career Advice: July 19, 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: July 19, 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Average skills?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Average-skills-1024x1024.png) My newest book is out I’m offering it for 50% off. “[Networking for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD)” It’s targeted for those of us who think of “working a crowded room” or “hopping on a quick call” with a stranger sick to our stomach. The examples come from my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) practice and have been completely anonymized The price will double at the end of next week. Take me up on the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and don’t miss out. ### AI for Introverts: High Fidelity Research Wins [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) The front door of the modern [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to an enterprise [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), you are letting an unyielding database dictate whether you’re worthy of being spoken to as well as your market value. But most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to take a highly extroverted back door–blasting your network, attending exhausting mixers, or cold-calling old colleagues to ask for a vague favor. For an introvert, this approach is a massive energetic drain. More importantly, it shifts the cognitive burden of “finding a fit” onto a busy contact, which usually results in polite radio silence. To break through without burning out, you have to execute a direct, peer-level approach that actually favors an introverted skill set: you skip the superficial social transactional cycles entirely and obtain access by offering deep, asynchronous solutions to a complex corporate vulnerability. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) tool to execute this strategy is artificial intelligence. But the market is currently getting this completely wrong. Professionals are using LLMs to spam corporate networks with generic boilerplate. Decision-makers spot that automated noise quickly. As an introvert, your natural strength is deep analysis, not glad-handing. You need to understand a fundamental rule of the modern [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) landscape: **[AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is a force multiplier, but multipliers work both ways. If you multiply generic automation, you just get a mountain of spam. But if you multiply high-fidelity [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), you get immediate access to the room.** Stop letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you with synthetic enthusiasm that inaccurately represents you. Instead, use it as your internal Chief of Staff to run deep, surgical diagnostic [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s public pain points. You don’t need a massive network; you just need a few highly accurate, data-driven observations that sound like an indispensable peer who already understands their business. ### 1. Sourcing High Fidelity Research Privately If you feed an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model a generic prompt like, *“Write a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) message to a COO,”* the multiplier runs backward. It generates a wall of synthetic enthusiasm with phrases like *“I hope this finds you well”* or *“In today’s fast-paced corporate climate”* that triggers someone’s mental spam filter and compromises your professional posture. To make the multiplier work for you, lean into your natural preference for quiet, solitary investigation. Gather the target company’s recent public data trails. Grab their latest quarterly earnings call transcript, a recent industry [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) given by their CEO, or their main competitor’s macro moves. Feed that raw text into the model. Give [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) a highly structured diagnostic prompt: > *“Analyze this transcript from the perspective of an institutional investor. Identify the top two operational or infrastructure risks implied by this growth strategy. Cross-reference these risks with my core expertise in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction this leadership team will face.”* Now you’re leveraging the machine for raw data synthesis, not generic writing. You are uncovering the strategic deficits of your target companies quietly, behind the scenes, before ever saying hello. ### 2. The 80/20 Rule: Enforcing Low-Friction Cadence Once you have isolated the data, keep a strict 80/20 operational rule. Let the the system do the heavy cognitive lifting of [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and pattern recognition (the 80%). You handle the final execution (the 20%) to inject your own human voice, rhythm, and industry shorthand. To strip away the corporate boilerplate that betrays an automated script, run the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) back through with a strict fluff-decoupling digital directive: > *“Review this observation. Strip out all generic corporate boilerplate, introductory filler, and synthetic enthusiasm. Shorten the sentences to vary the cadence, use direct active verbs, and ensure the tone reflects the clinical brevity of a busy operator.”* When you get the output, manually verify it. Busy [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) write with short, punchy paragraphs. Your message should match that exact baseline. It shouldn’t sound like a sales pitch; it should read like an internal memo. ### 3. Engineering the Low-Interaction Value Hook Let me show you what happens when you multiply high quality [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) instead of generic automation. I recently worked with an introverted Ops Lead who cringed at the idea of traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) calls. We used [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to analyze a target company’s earnings report. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) isolated a specific comment from the CFO about localized margin compression due to a recent regional warehouse consolidation. We didn’t look for an open job description, and we didn’t ask for a “virtual coffee chat.” We targeted a peer-level contact in that department and sent a direct, one paragraph note written with brevity: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s regional warehouse integration this quarter. Having navigated a restructuring at my last firm, I noticed that inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief, 1-page framework on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag. No strings attached. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* They responded within three hours. Why? Because the message wasn’t automated spam begging for a chat; it was a high quality delivery of value that could be reviewed asynchronously. They traded notes over text, and the contact ultimately routed the file directly past the corporate filters into the internal priority lane. A few months later it resulted in them being invited to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for a new role and ultimately being hired. ### The Bottom Line Traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) rewards the loudest voice, but AI-driven strategy rewards the deepest preparation. If you use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to blast generic messages to thousands of people, you are simply automating your own rejection and exhausting your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). Stop letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you. Use your natural analytical baseline to uncover the strategic deficits of your target companies, map the pain points your future peers are facing, and approach the market with a solution in hand. That is how you bypass the filtering software, skip the small talk, and get the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on your own terms. Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Over the past week I released a number of new blog posts including: **What [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Know That You Don’t: How They Evaluate #shorts** Excerpt: Corporate screeners look at your background through a completely different operational lens than you do. Jeff Altman cuts through generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) advice to deliver a rapid-fire breakdown of the internal metrics and unfiltered criteria [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use to score your profile in seconds. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-that-you-dont-how-they-evaluate-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-that-you-dont-how-they-evaluate-shorts/) **Treating People Like a Salami | The [No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/)** Excerpt: Slicing up human relationships and professional networks into small, transactional commodities destroys long-term institutional trust. Jeff Altman highlights a major structural [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) made by short-sighted leaders and job seekers, offering a firm framework for building sustainable professional [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) instead. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/) **Use Visual Proof to Bypass [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Parsing Software and Screeners** Excerpt: Relying strictly on dense text blocks allows automated filtering software to commoditize your value. Jeff Altman outlines a high-signal strategy using visual proof portfolios, explicit case studies, and clear achievement metrics to break through automated applicant tracking grids and capture immediate executive interest. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-visual-proof-to-bypass-ats-parsing-software-and-screeners/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-visual-proof-to-bypass-ats-parsing-software-and-screeners/) **A [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Limerick #shorts** Excerpt: The modern [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) system is packed with daily friction and repetitive automated dead ends. Jeff Altman shares a sharp, rapid-fire lyrical take on the absurdities of the corporate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process to help you maintain your perspective while executing a high-leverage search strategy. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-job-search-limerick-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-job-search-limerick-shorts/) **[Resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/), Not Worry** Excerpt: Channelling your limited executive [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into catastrophic scenarios creates massive decision fatigue and kills pipeline momentum. Jeff Altman details a strict operational mindset framework to help you convert passive [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) into active, high-impact pipeline execution and professional [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/). Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) **Beauty is in the Eye of The Beholder** Excerpt: Evaluating job offers and corporate cultures based on surface-level industry prestige can lead you straight into a [toxic environment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/). Jeff Altman breaks down how to audit opportunities based on your personal operational criteria, leadership alignment, and long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) leverage rather than external marketplace expectations. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/) **The [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) People Make at the End of [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)** Excerpt: The [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), never asking when they can expect to hear about next steps. Asking this critical question tells you exactly when to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) and helps you recognize if you are caught in a passive cattle call loop. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-mistake-people-make-at-the-end-of-interviews/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-mistake-people-make-at-the-end-of-interviews/) [**No** ](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-mistake-people-make-at-the-end-of-interviews/No)**BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): July 12 2026** Excerpt: To operate at the highest tier of corporate compensation and leverage, you have to transition to [Pull Dynamics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/). You do not hunt for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/); you engineer a professional [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) that makes you structurally desirable, forcing the market to seek you out. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-12-2026/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-12-2026/) **[Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) #shorts** Excerpt: A six-second video about how to make your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) easier. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire tip to streamline your tactical execution so you can stop overcomplicating your search and achieve faster results. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-shorts/) **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Growth in the Era of [Agentic AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/)** Excerpt: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) instantly dominates any task with a clear, standard answer, meaning traditional technical skills are rapidly losing value. Jeff Altman breaks down why your future paycheck depends entirely on your ability to manage chaos, ask profitable questions, and master the final 10% of creative polish that machines miss. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/) **Our Interesting Thinking About [Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/)** Excerpt: Many of us live frustrated and disappointed because we struggle to say “I need help,” treating vulnerability as a defect. Jeff Altman breaks down an intriguing Facebook experiment on how pride and ego hold us back, and outlines why getting support is the ultimate [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) hack. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-interesting-thinking-about-asking-for-help/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-interesting-thinking-about-asking-for-help/) **Oops! The #1 Costly [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) People Make When Accepting Job Offers** Excerpt: Accepting a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) based on surface-level excitement can lead directly to a long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) disaster. Inspired by a podcast [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Daniel Kahneman, Jeff Altman details the critical psychological [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) most professionals fall into and how to evaluate agreements to prevent a massive misstep. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/oops-the-1-costly-mistake-people-make-when-accepting-job-offers/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/oops-the-1-costly-mistake-people-make-when-accepting-job-offers/) **The [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [Remote Job Boards](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/)** Excerpt: Finding premium work-from-home positions that pay well and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) real vertical growth has become incredibly challenging. Jeff Altman bypasses the generic noise to curate the absolute [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [remote job boards](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/) across tech, startups, and executive roles for 2026. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/) **Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) #shorts** Excerpt: A six-second video about your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire, high-signal [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) pointer to strip away unnecessary details, highlighting why less is always more when you are trying to capture an recruiter’s split-second attention. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-resume-shorts/) **Our Interesting Thinking About [Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/)** Excerpt: Many of us live frustrated and disappointed because we struggle to say “I need help,” treating vulnerability as a defect. Jeff Altman breaks down an intriguing experiment on how pride and ego hold us back, and outlines why getting support is the ultimate [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) hack. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-interesting-thinking-about-asking-for-help/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-interesting-thinking-about-asking-for-help/) **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Growth in the Era of [Agentic AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/)** Excerpt: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) instantly dominates any task with a clear, standard answer, meaning traditional technical skills are rapidly losing value. Jeff Altman breaks down why your future paycheck depends entirely on your ability to manage chaos, ask profitable questions, and master the final 10% of creative polish that machines miss. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/) **A Well-Respected Man/Woman–Branding Yourself to Stand Out** Excerpt: An article in Brainz magazine reminded me of an old song that carries relevance for many of you. Jeff Altman breaks down how to shape your professional [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), construct a recognizable identity, and [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) yourself so that you stand out in a highly competitive executive market. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-well-respected-man-woman-branding-yourself-to-stand-out/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-well-respected-man-woman-branding-yourself-to-stand-out/) **[The Wise Man](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) and The [Complainers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: A less than 60-second story about people who complain about how a wise man suggested they do differently. Jeff Altman shares a brief, impactful tale illustrating the folly of seeking advice but refusing to change your actual execution patterns. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-shorts/) **Level Up Your Video [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/): Mastering Body Language** Excerpt: Virtual body language encompasses the nonverbal cues and gestures you exhibit during online interactions. Jeff Altman delivers a tactical guide on how to project authority, maintain [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) with the camera, and master physical cues to dominate your next video screen loop. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/level-up-your-video-interviews-mastering-body-language/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/level-up-your-video-interviews-mastering-body-language/) **The [Merit Myth](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-merit-myth-of-finding-a-job-is-a-lie-shorts/) of [Finding a Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) is a Lie #shorts** Excerpt: If you think a flawless [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) are enough to land a job, you are setting yourself up to get ghosted. The corporate meritocracy is a lie. Jeff Altman exposes the harsh realities of backroom [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) and shows what it actually takes to cross the finish line. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-merit-myth-of-finding-a-job-is-a-lie-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-merit-myth-of-finding-a-job-is-a-lie-shorts/) **Is It Over for Tech Candidates? The Shift Toward [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Executive [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)** Excerpt: The days of massive enterprise overhead are giving way to agile, [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) contracts at the leadership level. Jeff Altman breaks down how senior tech candidates must [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) their positioning from full-time structural managers to strategic, high-impact consulting partners. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-over-for-tech-candidates-the-shift-toward-fractional-executive-hiring/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-over-for-tech-candidates-the-shift-toward-fractional-executive-hiring/) **The Three-Step Filter for Your Core Professional Circle #shorts** Excerpt: Surround yourself with high-leverage thinkers who push your limits, not passive [complainers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) who validate your excuses. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire, direct metric on how to screen your closest professional network for maximum ambition and execution. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-three-step-filter-for-your-core-professional-circle-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-three-step-filter-for-your-core-professional-circle-shorts/) **The Hard Truth About Working for Early-Stage Startups** Excerpt: Startups promise massive [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) upside and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) speed-runs, but the reality is often chaotic undercapitalization and operational [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/). Jeff Altman outlines the exact diagnostic questions you must ask the founding team before signing an early-stage [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-hard-truth-about-working-for-early-stage-startups/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-hard-truth-about-working-for-early-stage-startups/) **Don’t Sell Your Soul for a Corporate Paycheck #shorts** Excerpt: Sacrificing your core values for a slightly higher base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is a guaranteed recipe for [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) rot. Jeff Altman gives a No BS reality check on how to maintain your personal alignment and professional leverage when negotiating corporate agreements. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-sell-your-soul-for-a-corporate-paycheck-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-sell-your-soul-for-a-corporate-paycheck-shorts/) **How to Dominate Your Performance Review and Demand What You are Worth** Excerpt: Walking into a performance review hoping your manager notices your [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) is a losing strategy. Jeff Altman outlines a proactive, data-driven approach to map out your revenue-generating accomplishments, command immediate corporate leverage, and secure your compensation increase. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-dominate-your-performance-review-and-demand-what-you-are-worth/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-dominate-your-performance-review-and-demand-what-you-are-worth/) **Another [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Job Hunters Make #shorts** Excerpt: Jamming your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) full of vague fluff and generic corporate adjectives makes [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) scroll right past you. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire correction on the formatting and content traps candidates fall into, showing how to clear the noise and present an undeniable record of clean professional value. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/another-resume-mistake-job-hunters-make-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/another-resume-mistake-job-hunters-make-shorts/) **Master the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Skills That Can’t Be Automated** Excerpt: As automated tools dominate routine workflows, technical task compliance is no longer a defense against obsolescence. Jeff Altman breaks down the core human operational skills—complex diagnostic problem-solving, stakeholder negotiation, and deep creative strategy—that corporate systems cannot automate. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) **How’s Your Plan Going?** Excerpt: Relying on a rigid, outdated playbook while the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) landscape rapidly changes around you is a recipe for complete pipeline stagnation. Jeff Altman delivers a direct, No BS reality check on how to audit your active execution, drop failing tactics, and [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) your plan to current market conditions. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/hows-your-plan-going/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hows-your-plan-going/) **Pass the “So What” Test** Excerpt: Every single line, bullet point, and metric on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) needs to pass a strict operational standard: “So what?” Jeff Altman details a rigorous assessment framework to convert passive task descriptions into high-signal proof of revenue impact and enterprise problem-solving that commands immediate respect. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/pass-the-so-what-test/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/pass-the-so-what-test/) **Your Next Job Isn’t in Your Inner Circle. It’s in the Margins.** Excerpt: Your closest professional contacts already know the same opportunities and possess the same information that you do. Jeff Altman outlines a high-leverage [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) strategy focused on the margins—weak ties, loose acquaintances, and secondary industry circles—to uncover hidden pipeline value. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-next-job-isnt-in-your-inner-circle-its-in-the-margins/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-next-job-isnt-in-your-inner-circle-its-in-the-margins/) **[Finding a Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) as an Executive or Leader #shorts** Excerpt: Landing a premium leadership role requires you to bypass standard HR filters entirely. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire directive on how to project instant operational authority and position your background so executive decision-makers recognize you as a peer, not a seeker. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) **The 10 [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) High-Leverage Outreach Templates for [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)** Excerpt: Sending generic InMail notes gets you ignored. Jeff Altman provides ten highly tactical, copy-and-paste outreach templates engineered to cut through the noise, target specific enterprise pain points, and secure direct consultation calls with busy leaders. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-10-best-high-leverage-outreach-templates-for-linkedin/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-10-best-high-leverage-outreach-templates-for-linkedin/) **It’s Not Just What You Say on [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) #shorts** Excerpt: Long before you answer a single technical question, your nonverbal cues have already set the tone. Jeff Altman breaks down a critical, split-second physical composure [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that subtly betrays [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and dilutes your executive [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) in the loop. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/its-not-just-what-you-say-on-interviews-shorts/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/its-not-just-what-you-say-on-interviews-shorts/) **The Shift to [Pull Dynamics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/): How to Force the Market to Chase You** Excerpt: Chasing public job board postings is a low-yield strategy for high-tier professionals. Jeff Altman maps out an aggressive positioning framework to open-source your diagnostic logic online, drawing lucrative consulting and full-time inquiries directly to you. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/) **Crack [the Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/)** Excerpt: Over 70% of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) executive and technical roles are filled entirely behind closed doors before an internal description is ever published. Jeff Altman delivers a tactical protocol to locate unadvertised organizational deficits and source unlisted [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) tracks. Link: [**https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack) the hidden job market/file in seconds. Link: **Treating People Like a Salami | The [No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/)** Excerpt: Slicing up human relationships and professional networks into small, transactional commodities destroys long-term institutional trust. Jeff Altman highlights a major structural [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) made by short-sighted leaders and job seekers, offering a firm framework for building sustainable professional [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) instead. Link: **Use Visual Proof to Bypass [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Parsing Software and Screeners** Excerpt: Relying strictly on dense text blocks allows automated filtering software to commoditize your value. Jeff Altman outlines a high-signal strategy using visual proof portfolios, explicit case studies, and clear achievement metrics to break through automated applicant tracking grids and capture immediate executive interest. Link: **A [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Limerick #shorts** Excerpt: The modern [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) system is packed with daily friction and repetitive automated dead ends. Jeff Altman shares a sharp, rapid-fire lyrical take on the absurdities of the corporate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process to help you maintain your perspective while executing a high-leverage search strategy. Link: **[Resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/), Not Worry** Excerpt: Channelling your limited executive [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into catastrophic scenarios creates massive decision fatigue and kills pipeline momentum. Jeff Altman details a strict operational mindset framework to help you convert passive [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) into active, high-impact pipeline execution and professional [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/). Link: **Beauty is in the Eye of The Beholder** Excerpt: Evaluating job offers and corporate cultures based on surface-level industry prestige can lead you straight into a [toxic environment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/). Jeff Altman breaks down how to audit opportunities based on your personal operational criteria, leadership alignment, and long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) leverage rather than external marketplace expectations. Link: **The [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) People Make at the End of [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)** Excerpt: The [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), never asking when they can expect to hear about next steps. Asking this critical question tells you exactly when to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) and helps you recognize if you are caught in a passive cattle call loop. Link: [**No** ](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-mistake-people-make-at-the-end-of-interviews/No)**BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): July 12 2026** Excerpt: To operate at the highest tier of corporate compensation and leverage, you have to transition to [Pull Dynamics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/). You do not hunt for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/); you engineer a professional [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) that makes you structurally desirable, forcing the market to seek you out. Link: **[Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) #shorts** Excerpt: A six-second video about how to make your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) easier. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire tip to streamline your tactical execution so you can stop overcomplicating your search and achieve faster results. Link: **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Growth in the Era of [Agentic AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/)** Excerpt: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) instantly dominates any task with a clear, standard answer, meaning traditional technical skills are rapidly losing value. Jeff Altman breaks down why your future paycheck depends entirely on your ability to manage chaos, ask profitable questions, and master the final 10% of creative polish that machines miss. Link: **Our Interesting Thinking About [Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/)** Excerpt: Many of us live frustrated and disappointed because we struggle to say “I need help,” treating vulnerability as a defect. Jeff Altman breaks down an intriguing Facebook experiment on how pride and ego hold us back, and outlines why getting support is the ultimate [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) hack. Link: **Oops! The #1 Costly [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) People Make When Accepting Job Offers** Excerpt: Accepting a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) based on surface-level excitement can lead directly to a long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) disaster. Inspired by a podcast [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Daniel Kahneman, Jeff Altman details the critical psychological [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) most professionals fall into and how to evaluate agreements to prevent a massive misstep. Link: **The [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [Remote Job Boards](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/)** Excerpt: Finding premium work-from-home positions that pay well and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) real vertical growth has become incredibly challenging. Jeff Altman bypasses the generic noise to curate the absolute [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [remote job boards](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/) across tech, startups, and executive roles for 2026. Link: **Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) #shorts** Excerpt: A six-second video about your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire, high-signal [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) pointer to strip away unnecessary details, highlighting why less is always more when you are trying to capture an recruiter’s split-second attention. Link: **Our Interesting Thinking About [Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/)** Excerpt: Many of us live frustrated and disappointed because we struggle to say “I need help,” treating vulnerability as a defect. Jeff Altman breaks down an intriguing experiment on how pride and ego hold us back, and outlines why getting support is the ultimate [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) hack. Link: **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Growth in the Era of [Agentic AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/)** Excerpt: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) instantly dominates any task with a clear, standard answer, meaning traditional technical skills are rapidly losing value. Jeff Altman breaks down why your future paycheck depends entirely on your ability to manage chaos, ask profitable questions, and master the final 10% of creative polish that machines miss. Link: **A Well-Respected Man/Woman–Branding Yourself to Stand Out** Excerpt: An article in Brainz magazine reminded me of an old song that carries relevance for many of you. Jeff Altman breaks down how to shape your professional [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), construct a recognizable identity, and [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) yourself so that you stand out in a highly competitive executive market. Link: **[The Wise Man](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) and The [Complainers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: A less than 60-second story about people who complain about how a wise man suggested they do differently. Jeff Altman shares a brief, impactful tale illustrating the folly of seeking advice but refusing to change your actual execution patterns. Link: **Level Up Your Video [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/): Mastering Body Language** Excerpt: Virtual body language encompasses the nonverbal cues and gestures you exhibit during online interactions. Jeff Altman delivers a tactical guide on how to project authority, maintain [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) with the camera, and master physical cues to dominate your next video screen loop. Link: **The [Merit Myth](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-merit-myth-of-finding-a-job-is-a-lie-shorts/) of [Finding a Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) is a Lie #shorts** Excerpt: If you think a flawless [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) are enough to land a job, you are setting yourself up to get ghosted. The corporate meritocracy is a lie. Jeff Altman exposes the harsh realities of backroom [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) and shows what it actually takes to cross the finish line. Link: **Is It Over for Tech Candidates? The Shift Toward [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Executive [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)** Excerpt: The days of massive enterprise overhead are giving way to agile, [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) contracts at the leadership level. Jeff Altman breaks down how senior tech candidates must [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) their positioning from full-time structural managers to strategic, high-impact consulting partners. Link: **The Three-Step Filter for Your Core Professional Circle #shorts** Excerpt: Surround yourself with high-leverage thinkers who push your limits, not passive [complainers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) who validate your excuses. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire, direct metric on how to screen your closest professional network for maximum ambition and execution. Link: **The Hard Truth About Working for Early-Stage Startups** Excerpt: Startups promise massive [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) upside and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) speed-runs, but the reality is often chaotic undercapitalization and operational [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/). Jeff Altman outlines the exact diagnostic questions you must ask the founding team before signing an early-stage [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Link: **Don’t Sell Your Soul for a Corporate Paycheck #shorts** Excerpt: Sacrificing your core values for a slightly higher base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is a guaranteed recipe for [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) rot. Jeff Altman gives a No BS reality check on how to maintain your personal alignment and professional leverage when negotiating corporate agreements. Link: **How to Dominate Your Performance Review and Demand What You are Worth** Excerpt: Walking into a performance review hoping your manager notices your [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) is a losing strategy. Jeff Altman outlines a proactive, data-driven approach to map out your revenue-generating accomplishments, command immediate corporate leverage, and secure your compensation increase. Link: **Another [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Job Hunters Make #shorts** Excerpt: Jamming your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) full of vague fluff and generic corporate adjectives makes [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) scroll right past you. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire correction on the formatting and content traps candidates fall into, showing how to clear the noise and present an undeniable record of clean professional value. Link: **Master the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Skills That Can’t Be Automated** Excerpt: As automated tools dominate routine workflows, technical task compliance is no longer a defense against obsolescence. Jeff Altman breaks down the core human operational skills—complex diagnostic problem-solving, stakeholder negotiation, and deep creative strategy—that corporate systems cannot automate. Link: **How’s Your Plan Going?** Excerpt: Relying on a rigid, outdated playbook while the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) landscape rapidly changes around you is a recipe for complete pipeline stagnation. Jeff Altman delivers a direct, No BS reality check on how to audit your active execution, drop failing tactics, and [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) your plan to current market conditions. Link: **Pass the “So What” Test** Excerpt: Every single line, bullet point, and metric on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) needs to pass a strict operational standard: “So what?” Jeff Altman details a rigorous assessment framework to convert passive task descriptions into high-signal proof of revenue impact and enterprise problem-solving that commands immediate respect. Link: **Your Next Job Isn’t in Your Inner Circle. It’s in the Margins.** Excerpt: Your closest professional contacts already know the same opportunities and possess the same information that you do. Jeff Altman outlines a high-leverage [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) strategy focused on the margins—weak ties, loose acquaintances, and secondary industry circles—to uncover hidden pipeline value. Link: **[Finding a Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) as an Executive or Leader #shorts** Excerpt: Landing a premium leadership role requires you to bypass standard HR filters entirely. Jeff Altman delivers a rapid-fire directive on how to project instant operational authority and position your background so executive decision-makers recognize you as a peer, not a seeker. Link: **The 10 [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) High-Leverage Outreach Templates for [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)** Excerpt: Sending generic InMail notes gets you ignored. Jeff Altman provides ten highly tactical, copy-and-paste outreach templates engineered to cut through the noise, target specific enterprise pain points, and secure direct consultation calls with busy leaders. Link: **It’s Not Just What You Say on [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) #shorts** Excerpt: Long before you answer a single technical question, your nonverbal cues have already set the tone. Jeff Altman breaks down a critical, split-second physical composure [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that subtly betrays [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and dilutes your executive [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) in the loop. Link: **The Shift to [Pull Dynamics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/): How to Force the Market to Chase You** Excerpt: Chasing public job board postings is a low-yield strategy for high-tier professionals. Jeff Altman maps out an aggressive positioning framework to open-source your diagnostic logic online, drawing lucrative consulting and full-time inquiries directly to you. Link: **Crack [the Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/)** Excerpt: Over 70% of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) executive and technical roles are filled entirely behind closed doors before an internal description is ever published. Jeff Altman delivers a tactical protocol to locate unadvertised organizational deficits and source unlisted [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) tracks. Link: the hidden job market/ People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* ***Books and Guides by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter*** ***Available on Amazon*** *[Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed (coming soon)* [*“Networking for Introverts: Build Powerful Connections Without Cold Calling*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H9CH4QQD) [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. Resume Advice: How Does Yours Measure Up? (a short guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010YVP4ZA) [***No BS Questions You Should Ask on Any Interview: They’ll Tell You If You Fit***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C381R5SQ) *(He’s a short guide)* [***Get Your Job Search Organized NOW!***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2TJZW7) [***101 Ways to Find Job Leads***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CN3YNFQ9) [***Get Ready for the Job Jungle: 10 Steps to Prepare for a Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UPFB80Q) [***Quiet Confidence: Your Secret Weapon for Modern Job Search***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP) [***The Executive Edge: Strategic Interviewing for the C Suite Final Getting Through the ATS: How to Beat the Applicant Tracking System and Get Interviewed***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2K6BJWQ) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: Get Paid What You’re Worth***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXVL9QDJ) [***LinkedIn Job Search Success Made Simple (A Short Guide)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035ROW2W) [***Finding a Job After You Graduate College***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003F77EMC) [***Go Remote with Zero Experience: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TTZSMY) [***The Algorithmic Pivot on LinkedIn: The 2026 LinkedIn Pro«le Strategy in the AI Era***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9B2HGPK) [***Deciding to Unretire: A No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GC8H94ZR) [***ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) [***Stop Reciting Your Resume: How to Use Stories to Get Hired***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) [***Background Checks: What Are They Trying to Find Out?***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C548M3M1) [***From Job Hopper to Job Hero: The No BS Job Search Playbook***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCXGC4GG) [***Job Interview Q&A: 25 Job Interview Questions and Answers So That You Can Win at Interview Karate***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CFB3HO) *(His Short Guide)* [***Covert Job Search for Leaders: The Executive Edge***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3D5MXLT) [***Final Interview Preparation***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWBYT3LV) [***No BS Resume Advice for Senior Leaders: How to Write a Resume That Commands Respect, Opens Doors and Respects Your Value***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJN4BM5N) [***Great Resumes for Nursing Jobs: Templates and Tips for New Graduates***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZCFWCY) All of them cost less than $10. Many are available for 99 cents \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: July 19 2026 --- ### [3 Prep Tools to Fix Your Interview Weaknesses #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/3-prep-tools-to-fix-your-interview-weaknesses-shorts/) **Published:** July 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down three powerful platforms—covering speech habits, company-specific tailoring, and anonymous technical grilling—that will give you an unfair advantage. **Content:** # 3 Prep Tools to Fix Your Interview Weaknesses #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Generic interview prep is a waste of your time and won’t get you hired in today’s market. To land the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/), you need to treat your prep like a flight simulator, targeting your exact weak points before a hiring manager ever sees them. This episode breaks down three powerful platforms—covering speech habits, company-specific tailoring, and anonymous technical grilling—that will give you an unfair advantage. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data. **Categories:** Tools, #Shorts, Preparation **Tags:** 3 Prep Tools to Fix Your Interview Weaknesses --- ### [How to Network Successfully as an Introvert Without Faking It](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-network-successfully-as-an-introvert-without-faking-it/) **Published:** July 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode lays out a clear, three-phase playbook to leverage your natural strengths **Content:** # How to Network Successfully as an Introvert Without Faking It **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop forcing yourself to “work the room” at loud, useless [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) mixers that leave you drained. If you are an introvert, trying to mimic extroverted energy is a fast track to sensory overload and professional burnout. This episode lays out a clear, three-phase playbook to leverage your natural strengths—like deep preparation and strategic silence—to build high-value professional relationships without the fake persona. Here is the accurate, word-for-word transcription of the video, reformatted entirely in plain text with appropriate paragraph breaks: Picture walking into a brightly lit hotel ballroom. The noise hits you like a wall. Everywhere you look, people are aggressively mingling, trading business cards, and forcing small talk. For an introvert, that simple scenario induces immediate visceral dread. That exhaustion is a predictable outcome of being handed a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) playbook written exclusively for extroverts. This excerpt from a recent academic study on digital behavior shows that introverts, who make up as much as half the population, naturally gravitate toward controlled environments to regulate their emotional energy. Attempting to “work a room” by matching extroverted energy directly conflicts with an introvert’s neurobiology. It demands rapid processing of high stimulation environments, which quickly leads to social burnout. But introverts possess traits like deep thinking, meticulous preparation, and active empathy. When deployed intentionally, these are strategic [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) assets. Success in professional growth does not require faking an outgoing persona. It requires a chronological playbook designed entirely around quiet strategy. The first step tackles the visibility gap. Many introverted professionals have deep technical expertise, but they struggle to translate that knowledge into a brief, compelling personal pitch. Artificial intelligence serves as a social buffer in this phase. By acting as a translation engine, it helps bridge the visibility gap, taking over the heavy lifting of drafting outreach messages and [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) strategy to reduce the initial friction of self-promotion. Long before you ever reach out to someone, AI functions as your tireless [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) assistant. It takes hours of manual scrolling and target profiling and condenses it into a streamlined, 15-minute workflow. With that data in hand, you can set specific, achievable goals. Instead of trying to collect a hundred business cards at a mixer, aim to secure a single, highly researched coffee chat. From there, use digital platforms like [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/) as your quiet room. Rather than broadcasting generic updates, focus your energy on leaving thoughtful, one-on-one comments on posts by your specific targets. This intense pre-outreach phase ensures that when you do initiate contact, you aren’t an outsider asking for a favor. You arrive armed with specific insights, replacing anxiety with quiet confidence. When it is time for the physical interaction, the golden rule is simple: avoid large, chaotic mixers entirely. Steer your [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) efforts toward controlled, one-on-one meetings. In these one-on-one sessions, strategic silence becomes your most effective tool. To understand why, look at the neuroscience. Pausing during a conversation activates the brain’s default mode network. This neural pathway processes emotional cues and empathy. It provides the cognitive space to prepare a thoughtful, measured response, rather than a rushed reaction. You can trigger this through the three-second rule. Ask a targeted question and silently count to three in your head before speaking again. That intentional pause diffuses conversational anxiety. It gives the other person space to share more deeply and firmly establishes you as a genuine active listener. By speaking less, you invite the other person’s full engagement. This natural restraint actually makes introverts up to 15% more effective at professional relationship building. The final phase is the meaningful [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/). Extrovert metrics, like counting the sheer volume of hands you managed to shake, simply do not apply to this strategy. Instead, your goal is to send one highly specific, personalized message within 24 hours of your meeting. This [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) must focus entirely on offering mutual value. Sharing a relevant industry article or expanding on a topic you discussed works far better than trying to extract an immediate transactional gain. A sustainable network relies on deep preparation and genuine presence, rather than high volume social performance. There’s a lot more to help you at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services a la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking, Text --- ### [Figuring Out The Career To Pursue While in School](https://thebiggamehunter.us/figuring-out-the-career-to-pursue-while-in-school-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 19, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Randy Shain and I discussed selecting a major and figuring out a career direction for yourself while in school. This video works well for both parents and students alike. **Content:** # Figuring Out The Career To Pursue While in School **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Randy Shain and I discussed selecting a major and figuring out a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) direction for yourself while in school. This video works well for both parents and students alike. I encourage a student to watch apart from their parent. Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and you’re either watching [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV or listening to this as No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. If you’ve been listening to me for any length of time, you know from time to time I bring on an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) on some element of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) or [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), because I believe it doesn’t have to be as hard, difficult, painful, or take as long as it does. Because frankly, most of you are amateurs. It’s not what you do. You know how to do what you do professionally, but the process of getting the next job or planning [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), no expertise really, and understandably, I brought on a guest today, or I’m bringing on a guest today named Randy Shane, who I’m going to have introduce himself to you, and Randy is going to be here to help you as a parent, or you as a student, figure out what you want to be in this next phase of growing up for the parent? Anyway, you’re the one. Well, you’re the one who’s trying to goad the student along. But I want to help your son or daughter figure out what the next step is for them in their life upon graduation. Randy, welcome. Thanks, Jeff. Thanks for having me, my pleasure. Introduce yourself to everyone. Let them know what your background is. Let’s have some fun after that, okay? Sure. So my name is Randy Shane. As Jeff mentioned, I started a business as a private investigator. Believe it or not, in decades ago, I did that for 20 some odd years, going on 30 years, and I decided midway along the way that I really enjoyed working with young people more than I enjoyed anything else. So six years ago, I started a different business, helping coach college students and trying to get them to make the most of the four years that they’re in school. I found that fascinating when you and I spoke, and I didn’t ask you about it then. But how the heck does one go from being a private investigator into being a coach for students? Like, where does that connect? It doesn’t. I’m not 100% sure that it does. I guess the the the real way that that it does is that by owning a business, we hired probably hundreds of young people over time, and so from 1993 to 2016 or so, we interviewed 1000s of students. We hired them. We trained them. We coached them. We saw them improve. We promoted them, and we built the business based on that. And so, as I mentioned earlier, some of somewhere along the line, we got big enough where I wasn’t getting an opportunity to work with the younger people as much as I wanted to, and it kind of hit me that that’s really what I wanted to do, and so that’s why I made that kind of shift. Gotcha. And there are a million ways that you could have worked with younger people. How did this idea of becoming a mentor or a coach to younger individuals with figuring out what they wanted to be when they grew up. How did that kick in for you? Well, I’d love to say it was my idea, but it wasn’t. So a woman from Rutgers, where I went to school, approached me and asked if I had a few minutes, and immediately gave the you know, are you looking for money? I’m not really interested in that. I feel like I gave you the money when I was there. And she mentioned, no, no, no. This is something different. It’s a mentoring program, and I didn’t really. I knew what the word meant, but I didn’t understand the context of it. And she came into my office, and after 45 seconds, literally, I just said, sign me up. This is perfect. And essentially, that program was what kicked off what I’m doing now. And it was I had to look it up. It was exactly six years ago. And at that time, they brought you in, and they had a lot of people like me who had gone to the school and who they identified as having either talent or the time, or just weren’t weren’t paying attention enough, so they just said, “Sure, you want if you want to do this, we’re [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to have you. And so, I I got a chance to speak in a particular class, and four kids approached me, and I started just [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), mentoring, and helping them. And what’s a mentor mean to you? ***[Dear Graduate: 50 Things Worth Knowing: A Keepsake Journal of Advice, Encouragement and Life Lessons](https://amzn.to/4f91fd2)*** To me, it really means someone first and foremost, mentor, coach, the whole thing, is a listener, and so I think I told this story. And in fact, I just texted the young lady who I’m still in touch with all these people. She had said. That I was the first mentor in the program that actually asked her any questions, and I I said, “Well, surely you mean questions about what you want to do and so on, not just is that what you mean? And she said, “No, no, I mean any questions. And so I realized right away there’s a lot of people who [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) unquote mentor kids or others, but what they do is just talk about themselves. So we’re on this program. I’m going to be talking about myself because you’re going to be asking me questions. But ordinarily, most of the people that I’ve worked with, and again, some of them that I’ve worked with for six years, had no idea that I was an investigator. It just never came up. Gotcha. And it’s and thus, what makes you different than the typical coach? I think there’s two things. So the first one is definitively my background. So because of what I said earlier, I have an inordinate amount of experience as to what businesses are looking for at all stages from before you get a job, meaning that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) prep and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and the [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) and all those kinds of things, but really the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And then much more important to me and what I try to impart to the students that I work with is well, what do you need to do to be a good worker? Well, step one is figuring out where do you want to be, because sure you can fool an employer, and I used to say this on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) into thinking that you want to work there. But six months in, you get exposed and you lose your job anyway. So it makes no sense. You’re you’re much better off trying to figure out where would you like to work, what would you actually like to do, and then try to get a job in that field, and so that’s step one. And I think the second is what I just mentioned before. My focus is on the student, and it’s always on them. We end up having a relationship, of course, because that’s how you get people to trust you. I’m vulnerable to them, I tell them what’s going on in my universe and vice versa, but the focus is on them. I’m not telling them my path unless they ask. It’s not relevant to them. Much more, much more about figuring out what it is and drawing out from them what it is that they’re interested in, and then helping them accomplish that. And you don’t arrive or act like that template of the parent, the one who tells them what to do, because they know. And the way you describe most mentors or much most coaches for college students-that’s the experience I’ve seen as well, and that’s what I’ve heard about. They act like parents. You know what you should do? Back in the Stone Ages when I grew up, well, I’m going to talk to the adults here for a sec, folks. They’re not listening to you, are they? So if you can keep doing the same thing, and all that happens is you put up a wall between you and them. You’re better off outsourcing it to someone else to do the work, and you’ll get better results. Because I know the students I coach, which is not my primary business, by the way, just to be clear, the students I coach, you know, the thing that I do is I yes, I drive the bus, but in ways that they want it driven, right? I’m not telling them what they should do, except in the context of brainstorming, where I’m looking for something from them, and it’s a huge difference, parents. And for the students, this is what you should be looking for in the way of a coach, someone who’s actually going to listen and not lecture. You’ve sat in lecture halls long enough, right? And the problem really comes down to. And I’ve got a copy of randy’s book on my phone. I’m just going to read one line from here because I really think it’s fabulous. College doesn’t Rosa. College doesn’t teach students how to discover their innate skills and how to apply those skills to a field of interest in a long in a long-term sustainable way. College also doesn’t teach the persistence and character that’s necessary to pursue the key players and gatekeepers of whatever field ultimately is selected. Folks, parents, students, students-you’re set up to fail. And parents, you think they know what to do because you do it a certain way, and it’s not the same for them. Am I wrong? Am I wrong? Oh, if you’re asking me, no, I do think, in fairness, it is much harder for any parent, even a parent who was an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) at being a coach, to coach their own kid. So that is automatically something that has to get stated, simply because that’s just a fact of nature. And and so, even if I stunk at this, or any mentor was terrible at this, there’s some value to it, some small value. Even if you’re terrible, just being there, just having an adult tell you something. My problem with most of that [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) is that by dictating and lecturing, the student never learns anything about themselves. They just hear something, and they either do it and resent it, or they do what you just said. They put the wall up and say, “All right, this is crap. Like, what am I? Why am I listening to this person? I’m getting nothing out of it. [***What College Didn’t Teach You About Getting Hired: The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Right Job Fresh Out of College***](https://amzn.to/4pAkfET) Right. So, what should the student be doing here? We’re going to start with the student, sure, and then we’re going to circle back to what the parent should or shouldn’t be doing. Sure, sure. So let’s say it’s the student is 1617, 18 years old, entering college or launching out of high school. I’m going to give you two options to work with you. Yeah, I think it’s the student who’s entering. Let’s just start with the student who’s going their first and second week in college. So the one of the things that I like to talk about, and in my book, it was a whole chapter devoted to this topic, was how to turn your likes into loves, and one of the ways to think about that is, and and I know kids these days don’t call it dating, you know, it’s we’re hanging out or whatever you want to call it, but it’s like that, and what I mean by that is you have to try a lot of stuff, and so at college there the step one is find all the clubs that they [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), and almost every college it’s a big deal the amount of clubs that are offered. And taking advantage of those is enormous. And one of the things that we’ll get into a little bit is one of the things I try to talk to college students about is well understanding from all the other college students that I’m working with like what these things mean. So one of the things people say is, well, I don’t like to join stuff because I don’t really like to quit, and so I like to try to figure out if it’s going to be great before I start. And so, one of the things that I always tell people is, yeah, no, no, I’m giving you permission to be a quitter. Like this is the one situation when that is an absolute thing to do. Normally, every adult will tell you, don’t quit, don’t quit, don’t quit. You’re not a quitter. Well, that prevents people from trying stuff. So I want you to try. I just spoke with a girl who tried nine clubs because she took my advice. Now, who can be in nine clubs and class? It’s impossible. But she said, “I did what you said. I tried nine clubs. She could come right out and put it that way. But basically, she was asserting she didn’t took nine clubs, dropped five of them and ended up picking the four that she was really interested in. But how did that happen? She just spent some time with each. You spend a little time and then you see, is the subject appealing and are the people appealing? If they’re not, ditch. It’s okay, right? Who cares? And for you adults, this is the equivalent of informational [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). You’re going to talk to people who are interested in the same thing your student is, so that they can figure out if this is going to be a worthwhile area for them to pursue. Right, exactly the same. Exactly the same. It’s a good strategy. So now that they’re in a couple of clubs, and they’re starting to go to class, and they have no time on their hands to do their homework, and the parents are worrying about their grades because they’re so busy with the social life in these clubs and dating and what have you. What does the student do next? How do they continue to explore things? Yeah, well, I think that overall, of course, the balance between social and work is up to every student to figure out for themselves, and time management works into that. And most students will tell you that that’s one of the hardest things that they had to learn. There’s no coach that can do that for you. I can sit here and say, I think you should use this system and use your calendar feature and alarms and write it down and plan it out the night before and so on. And that works for some kids and for other kids, they’re like, oh my God, that sounds terrible. So the reality is, again, all I do in that instance is talk to kids about the idea that you’re going to have a lot more time than you think because you’re coming off of a situation in which you got up and you were at school by eight a.m. Give or take a few minutes. You’re there till three, 330 If you played a sport, you’re not home. Until 530 you eat dinner at 630 You got a little homework. Your day is structured for 12 hours, really, right? And then maybe you get a little screen time after that, and you go to bed. You rinse, lather, rinse, repeat. Now you go to college, and you’ve got tons of time between classes. Does that get wasted? What do you do with that? You don’t have to get up early all the time. Fridays, most kids don’t have class at all. What do you do with all that time? They start to realize, oh my God, I have too much time. Like that’s what you hear. I’m lonely. I’m bored. I’m nervous. I’m anxious because I don’t know what to do to fill my time. So I maintain that that theory that they can’t do too many clubs and volunteer and do this and do that and still go to class and do their work. That’s baloney. They have tons of time, more time than they know what to do with. I agree with you, and I speak from the perspective of me. Yeah, I remember how much time I had. You know, at the beginning, being stuck with the early morning classes because those are the only ones I could get into. Upperclassmen always get the better classes, the ones where you can sleep late, and then when you finally grow into those classes, you wonder what am I going to do with that time in the morning? What do I do? Yeah, yeah. What do I do? Right. Yeah. And you figure it out. Right. There’s oh, it’s like gas. The tongue gets occupied. Yes. Yeah. There’s no question about that. I mean, one of the other things we talked about the club thing, and I and I really I mean that. I I feel like that’s something that each semester you can start to join, discard, join, discard. Then, as you get a little bit older, you start to take a leadership position. Maybe you start to delve a little bit deeper. You start to think, are any of these in a field that I might actually like to do for a living? That’s possible too, as opposed to just the fun stuff. I actually myself was in the marketing society for God knows what reason, and I ended up becoming like through that I learned a bunch of stuff that I did use in my first job, even as an investigator, because it taught me to do a lot of public speaking. It taught me to sell things like that that I ended up meeting, dealing with clients and so on, so it’s hard to know how you’re going to utilize the things that you learn, the skills that you’re picking up. But I can assure you that you need those skills and you need those interests. And so, all I say to kids is, I’m not here to make your life worse. I’m here to make sure that you have a structure so that you get to do the stuff you want to do. If you don’t do that, your parents are going to make your life worse. That’s for sure. That’s a given. And folks, do you notice how passionate Randy is about this? He’s banging that table left and right. His enthusiasm is is fabulous. Thank you. In case you haven’t noticed, folks, that’s a Knick hat that he’s wearing right now. That’s right. Representing, despite even the even though the Jordan rules is on, I’m still putting the Knick stuff out there. It’s okay. And he’s he’s persistent. He’s determined that one day they’ll be good. That’s right. That’s right. Has anything to do with it, but yes, one day they’ll be good. Is what we as fans do. So we’re talking here in terms of number one. You get into school. You explore a couple of things that you’re interested in through the club circuit. Your classes are going to be your classes at the beginning, you know. Those are going to be required courses. We can’t change those quite yet, but it’s the idea of using the first two years to figure out what your major is really going to be, in order to ensure you’re pursuing things that might help you land. Got that? I I have something to say about that actually. Oh, good. Let’s do that. Yeah. So, to the degree possible, and this is based on your school’s requirements, I am a staunch advocate. It’s the one thing I do try to tell kids to do. I don’t tell them how to accomplish this, but I put this idea in their head: take as few core classes as you can get away with. Just take as many classes that seem interesting as possible, and there’s a reason for that. And that is that the last place you want to be is a junior in college and first starting to say, “Okay, I took a bunch of classes that were required, and I still have no idea what I like, and now I have to first start figuring that out, and oh look, there’s a class I would like, but I hadn’t taken anything else in that field, and I can’t get into that. I don’t want to take a class with a bunch of freshmen. So there’s a lot of those kinds of things that happen, and so again, I believe that to the degree you can take take a class, a writing class, take a full. Philosophy class, take a marketing class, take a psychology class, take a language, take anything that’s in the humanities. Even if you are a STEM person, take as many of these humanities kind of all over the place classes and see which ones appeal to you. And then again, if you like something, take another one. If you like it again, keep doing it. If you don’t, if you start to see, hmm, okay, I I like this, but I don’t love it. Discard that. And by the way, as you know, learning what to discard is amazing information for you. It’s crucial because there’s too many. I don’t know what the study. There is a study done about what they call. I call it the diner menu study, which is essentially when you could still go to a diner pre-pandemic, most people get the same thing, even though the diner has 72 pages of stuff. Right? I could get a lasagna or I could get lobster. Most people show up at the diner, and what do they do? They order the same. Why? Because any more than seven choices they’ve shown makes human beings anxious. So having 700 choices is just like whoa. But take a look at a college guidebook that talks to you about what classes your college has. There’s 700 classes, so most people immediately are intimidated. And what I’m suggesting is pick a few categories to start, and just leaf through and read the descriptions. If it sounds like something you’d be interested in, and it’s not at eight in the morning on a Monday, you know, give it a whirl and see what happens. And then just keep repeating that same process. And before you know it, you’ll say, “Hmm, it turns out I really enjoy history, English, philosophy. It’s not going to matter. And I hearing with a girl from the parents’ vantage point going, “You mean you want me to waste my money on them figuring this out along the way instead of you know when they were in high school they said they wanted to be this square peg, square hole, go for that. Right, right. That the connotation. [***Start Now: And 49 Other Things You Can Do To Be Employed By Graduation***](https://amzn.to/4gNLCZX) That was excellent. So the funny part is, is that of all the people I know in business who [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people and so on, I can’t begin to tell you the the amount of people I can name on one hand who care about someone’s major, absolutely STEM people. This matters. So I’m not talking about if you want to be a doctor, if you want to be a physicist, an engineer. You have to take those classes. Period. And even with them, you have to take those classes and take a lot of them to see if that really is what you want to do. But that’s a different story. I’m talking about the 90% of everyone else. It is not going to matter whether you majored in English or history or philosophy or psychology or sociology or organizational behavior. It is no panacea if you major in marketing or management or business or whatever. That is not going to tell any future employer, “Oh, I need to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you over that guy. In fact, if you really want to think, if you’re a parent and you’re saying, “Well, what are you talking about? Take a look at the majors of the people who work at the consulting firms. Do you? Which? Which I’m not suggesting most people should do that kind of work because it’s really hard and it’s hard to get into. But they’re considered to be the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) and the brightest. Take a look at them. They’re not. They’re not business majors. There’s not. It’s just not what they. That’s not what those companies value. Most companies will teach you their particular thing that they do. That’s not what they need. They need to know: Can you write? Can you can you speak? Can you deal with can you critical thinking? Can you work on a team of diverse people, which means people unlike you by age, by sex, by color, by gender, by sexual orientation, by everything. Can you work with those people? Can you do all of those things? If you can do those four, and maybe there’s four or five things, great. You’re employable now. Those are skills that you have. I can teach you what I do. I didn’t know, and again, this is the 30 years ago thing. I didn’t know how to do an investigation, but I knew how to write and I knew how to do [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). They taught me the specific skills that they were looking for, but I knew I had the foundation for that, and that’s all I encourage students because if you don’t walk out with that, but you do have a business major, you’re screwed. Yeah, and and I I want to leap in on one thing that you said, because you students just heard the term 30 years ago. Don’t be dismissive and ageist. You know, it’s no different now. And I speak from the perspective of I. Was a head hunter and did it for a million years, filled tons of positions, and I listened to what my clients told me over those years, and really hasn’t changed. Yes, you have to have a basic expertise, but they don’t really expect you to know anything. They want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone who they can trust. Trust is the feeling you give them in the room, not just simply the knowledge that you have. Notice hard skill, what you know; soft skill, you know the way you make them feel. Don’t lose sight of that because they’re going for trust, and they got lots of choices. Yeah, I don’t right. I don’t talk to people about the 30 years ago stuff as a way of saying, well, it’s the exact same now. Although, what is the same is that human beings need skills in order to function. I would argue that it’s way harder today. I’m the reverse of every old man that you know. I know it’s harder for students today than it was for me. I got out of school. All I had to do was go to Manhattan. I went to a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) of a company that wasn’t even looking to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). I found them in a particular book. I called. I cold called. They said, “Come on in. They were not [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), but I did an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and they hired me anyway. That doesn’t happen now. It’s really hard for you. I’m not. I’m. I’m not saying that we had it harder. We didn’t. We had it way easier. So your parents, when they say you should do what I did, that’s not going to work because that’s where you don’t have that opportunity. Yeah, you you can’t go door to door and try and find the job because the security in the building. Correct. Who’s going to let you in? Who’s letting you in? Yeah, exactly. Now they’re taking your temperature too. But one one of the things I wanted to point out too, Jeff, that I think is completely underutilized and used for the wrong reason is volunteering. And so I spend a lot of time writing about and talking about volunteering, and I get it. I know when I say it, people are like, “Oh, I don’t want to do that, right? Like you just whatever. And what I try to point out is two things. One, I don’t want you to volunteer for your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). In fact, I don’t want you doing anything for your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), and we can discuss that separately. But as for volunteering itself, I want you to do things that you’re interested in, and if you tell me you’re interested in something, I want to see that you did it. So a kid, an example I use in the book is if a kid says, “Oh, I’m thinking maybe I’d be a teacher, and I’m like, “Well, have you ever like volunteered at a nursery school or a Big Brother program or any of these places where you got to deal with kids? No, I’m like, “Okay, so how? One, how do you know if, from your perspective, you would really want to be a teacher, and two, how would anybody else think that you’d want to do that if you’ve never done any of it? So it’s not like I’m saying volunteer at something that you hate. That doesn’t make any sense. Just volunteer at something that you think might be something you’d enjoy, and then you’ll know. And by the way, it’s a lot easier to get a volunteering gig because you’re volunteering. You’re not getting paid. You’re not getting paid. So there are companies and organizations are always looking for volunteers, always. You bet, right? Right, and differentiate between volunteering and unpaid internships. See, to me, the unpaid internship is a. It’s fine if you can, and I caution. I’m not talking about people who need the money. I get it. I came from that world. My kids, fortunately for them, do not. But if you need the money, you need to get paid. You need to find something where you get paid. But if you are fortunate and you don’t need the money, then the money is not important to you. That’s not the most important thing for you. Then whatever you do is more important. And so, an unpaid internship is usually something more formal, where you still have to do an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you still have to sort of pass muster and so on. And I’m not suggesting you don’t do that, but as a freshman in college and a sophomore in college, you’re going to find that difficult to get any internship, paid or not, right? So my thing is stop telling these kids to get internships and just start telling him to do a few things like volunteer and like work. That’s another one. Just get a job. So this sort of segues me into the other piece, which is in the summer of freshman year. What would I? So now you’ve done some clubs and you’ve taken some classes that. Were not core classes, and now your summer’s coming up, and everyone’s panicked because you’re supposed to get an internship. And what do I tell these kids? Go go work in a deli. Go work in the and this all assumes all this is open. Deli, pizzeria, supermarket, any place where you have to deal with the public, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) thing for you. And why is that? Why is that? [***Getting A Job After College: Job Search Strategies and Interview Preparation for Recent Graduates***](https://amzn.to/4fGDv00) Every worker, every employee, I should say, of every organization I’ve been privileged enough to either own or manage or whatnot, every one of those people who was really good, who were the superstars, all had crappy [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) before. And what? Why was that? They one, they appreciated a job that wasn’t that way. That’s why. Two, they learn certain skills that are impossible to learn otherwise. So if I’m working at a deli and my boss is yelling at me because I’m just not doing it fast enough, and you learn like there’s no HR team you can go to like they don’t care, you know. I’m just thinking what HR in a deli might look like. I mean, the HR in the deli is the guy at the slicer saying it doesn’t really matter if Joe yells at you. He owns the place. What do you think we’re going to do about it? Right. That’s it. If you don’t like it, leave. And so you learn to deal with that, and then you realize that guy just wants that stuff done right and fast. So you also learn to do your job better and faster, and so on. And I’m not saying that you want to work in a deli later in life, although that’s a perfectly fine occupation. But if you don’t want to do that, you better learn the skills that you need to not do that. If you’re thinking, “Oh, this isn’t for me, so but to me, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) part about it is dealing not just with your bosses and your colleagues, but dealing with the public. So having to have two customers in front of you. There’s two people calling on the phone. You got two different phone lines. You got customers in front of you. You’re doing this. Talk about multitasking. Talk about prioritizing prioritizing things. Talk about figuring stuff out. Which is the most important thing to do. Talk about being able to communicate and say to someone, “I’ll be right with you. I’m really sorry. We’re overly busy. I’ll be with you in a minute. Don’t worry about it, and then maybe you throw them, you know, a little cookie or whatever it is at the end for waiting. You’re making little decisions, etc. All those skills you just can’t pick them up anywhere else. You can’t read a book about it, and you can’t listen to me tell you about it because even if you hear me say it to you now, you actually have to experience it to know it. So we got them through freshman year. Yeah. And what happens when they hit sophomore year? So to me, sophomore year is more of the same. But you’re dive. You’re starting to dive in a little bit deeper. And what I mean by that is you’re starting to spend some more time on some of the same activities that you started at before, and you’re really starting to discard more. You’re starting to say, “Okay, I freshman year I like this, but now, as it turns out, when I took another class and I joined the club, and I got and I volunteered somewhere, I really determined that path. That’s not for me. And some people have said to me, “Wow, this really sucks! Like I just figured out that I don’t want to end up being. I’ll use the teacher example. I don’t want to be a teacher because I went into a classroom and I shadowed a teacher over the summer, and then over over this first semester of sophomore year, and it turns out I hated the kids. It just wasn’t for me, and so what do I do? That’s not. It’s a terrible situation. And I say, are you kidding? Which would you rather have learned that three years after you graduated, and you took the two years for your master’s, and then you got into a classroom and you hated it? Like, what are you talking about? In in fact, my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) example of that is at some schools, nursing programs get you in the hospital freshman year. So you’re a smart guy. Why do you think they do that? [***Life After Graduation: A 12-Month Planner for Young Adults to Organize Goals, Money, Career & Real Life—Plus A–Z Life Advice for Your Next Chapter … School, Graduation, and Adulting)***](https://amzn.to/4w8ASKt) To scare you off. Yeah, they want to see like people get in there, and they’re like, “Oh, it turns out I don’t like. There’s blood. There’s blood. I don’t like needles or blood, and they just didn’t know that they wanted to help people. They wanted to be in medicine, and it’s not doesn’t make you a bad person that you don’t like needles and blood. I happen to be one of those people who’s not affected by that, but a lot of people are. And so, if you don’t like it, you better learn that quick. And it’s just fine. It’s more than fine to learn those kinds of lessons early, so the earlier the better. So again, sophomore year, as many classes as you can that are not core requirements. Every class you take is going to fill something, by the way, except at Brown and maybe a few other schools which don’t have the. Same kind of structure. Most colleges, you take a class and it’s going to count for this. You don’t even know it until you start adding it up, anyway. So it’s not going to be a big deal. But just take as many of those as you can, and only take the the minimum mandatory classes just to kind of fill whatever you have to. That’s kind of what’s happening sophomore year. I’m also a again going to advocate students, even during school, to get a job, to get a job or to volunteer. One of those in concert with your classes and your clubs. That’s that’s the recommend. This is terrific. Perfect. And you, as a coach, kind of propel them in some way. In many respects, the story I tell myself about the work that you do is you’re the adult therapist for them. Without pathologizing it, though, right? Like I do try to be cautious about comparing myself that way because I don’t want people thinking there’s something wrong with them because they need a coach. I’d rather liken it to this. Is what I say to parents is this is going to do two things for you. This is just like when you spent all that money and time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) on the soccer coach, the piano coach, the baseball hitting instructor, right? You did that to get your kid to college, but now that they’re there, they need a different kind of help. But it’s the same thing: is yes, they should use [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) services office. Without question, they should take advantage of whatever the college is providing. But it’s not the same as someone who gets to know them, and typical [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) service ratio is 500 to 2000 to one. It’s very hard, even if they’re great people, right? What are they going to do? Like, and again, they could be the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) at what they do, but they can’t get to know that many students. So, a person who’s working with you and getting to know you as your coach, and really figuring you out and helping you figure out yourself what is it that you’re what you want to do, and also who’s not judgmental, right? Who doesn’t have an agenda, and that was something I should have mentioned earlier. It’s really it’s the listening, but it’s the non-judgmental part too, and that’s very hard for parents, and it’s also hard for college administrators and even college professors. So I recommend that students meet their college professors and really meet them in a way where they form a relationship. But even there, the professor sort of is interested in what he’s interested in. It’s not always true that they’re going to help you find what you’re interested in, right? And it’s funny here. I’m going to talk to the students primarily. You’ve been on a conveyor belt, being moved along the process like your manufactured product in the old days, you got moved from elementary school to junior high or middle school to high school, and now you’re in college, and they’re working up to turn you into some processed meat. I’m sorry for you vegans out there. You pick the replacement product for the process made, so that she can graduate, and all the way through, the message is: do what we tell you to do, or else. ***[How To Land Your First Job: Ways To Increase Your Chances Of Getting A Job After College: Find Your First Job Out Of College](https://amzn.to/4f5PJ29)*** Yeah, pretty much. Yeah, I know school. I know kids at schools who are telling me, literally, they’re getting pushed into accounting, or pushed into something else straightforward by the administration itself, because why does a school want you to do that? Because for them, they want to say we had 90-8% of our graduates got a job within three months, and it’s easiest to get a job in these sort of well-defined fields. That’s the theory, at least. No one’s talking about two years later, when all those kids quit that job because they hate it, that’s of no consequence somehow. And so my role and my goal is to prevent that, and that stems largely from the fact that whenever we hired someone who didn’t actually really want to do what we did? Six months in, we were both disappointed, and the person we’d have to let them go, or they’d have to quit, and we’d be looking at each other like, “I really wish we had done a better job of figuring out that this wasn’t for you. Sometimes you can’t tell. Sometimes you can’t tell, and that happens. But that’s what you’re trying. That’s what me. That’s what I’m trying to prevent, and I’m really trying to prevent the kid who calls me up five years after college and says, “I hate what I’m doing, and I have no no, I have no way of getting out of it, and now I’m making a certain amount of money, and I’ve got the gold in the handcuffs. Like, what do I do out of what you call it a conveyor belt, but?” Push yourself out a few years. The golden handcuffs, meaning you’re living a certain lifestyle, and now you don’t want to give that up. You’re trapped. You don’t want to give it up, and you have to wait till you’re in your 60s to do that transition that you wanted to do. Because I’m a guy who was a head hunter for more than 40 years. I want to get out at one point, got a master’s in social work. Was going to be a therapist in private practice, and then I met my wife there. Oh, and thus, once we decide to do the house and the child, yeah, I put it off yet again. So it takes a long time to do these transitions. And what Randy and I are speaking about here is trying to head off the problems that are going to leave you numb for most of your life and dead from the neck up, while you’re just doing this job that you loathe, right? ***Runnin’ Down a Dream: How to Thrive in a [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) You Actually Love*** Which unfortunately so many people have to do, right? And I and I suggest to people that I’m not saying that you won’t switch [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) every few years. That’s that will happen, and that’s okay. You’re switching though when you stop learning and when you stop to when you stop getting any everything out of where you are. Once that happens, well, then it’s probably time to move on. But if you’ve picked up enough skills and the relationships you have with your coworkers are solid, you’ll be able to move on, whether it’s in the same field or a slightly different one or a completely different one. If you’ve determined that, boy, that is not actually for me. That is okay. It’s fine. It’s just you. You have to then have a in your head what are you going to be doing. So I worked with a young woman who’s lovely and got a job in retail, and I don’t mean like folding the clothes, like retail, like trying to be ultimately be a buyer. They call it, and we really thought that that’s what she wanted to do. She had worked in retail through high school, through college, really enjoyed it. Seemed like something she really wanted. No one, everyone was talking her out of it. I said, “It’s this feels like something you want to give a shot at because you’re going to regret it if you don’t, right? And and that was her response was absolutely. She tried it for two, three years. I’m losing track of time here, and decided. I think it was two years, and decided, you know what? I’m not making the impact that I want to make. I really, I’ve been always thinking about being a teacher. I want to be a teacher, even though it’s a major switch. And I, of course supported her in that notion. We got to work immediately. Like, what does that mean? What do you have to do? You have to go back to school. You still have to support yourself. You’re going to get some help with your parents. There are they going to support you? How is that going to work? And we gathered up a plan, and now she’s midway in that process and loving it, right? And this is she’s really found herself. So it was, but she does not regret the first part. Why should she? She learned about herself and she scratched that itch, and now she determined that just was not. That just was not for her. That’s okay. It happens. Changing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), folks, is the new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path. It’s not working your way up the ladder at one organization because the stories about people who started in the basement of a building and worked their way up to the C-suite. You read any of those stories or watch any of them on YouTube anymore? Nah, doesn’t exist. ***[The Prepared Graduate: Find Your Dream Job, Live the Life You Want, and Step Into Your Purpose](https://amzn.to/4wLQinF)*** Yeah, that’s garb. That’s garbage. That doesn’t happen. Right. So don’t fall for your parents’ line about you. Don’t work your way up until you have to change [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), right, right, right, and it’s fine. You are doing that. That’s what I try to say to parents. You’re not just explain to your kid that you’re telling them to do what they should be doing, except they just are probably going to have to switch companies to achieve that. When you work your way up. You learned. You met people. You learned. You met more people. You learned something else. You put that into practice. You became more valuable, and then you moved up. Well, now sometimes you have to move up somewhere else, but it’s the same idea. So the idea isn’t stupid. It’s just your execution of it, which can be a little bit behind the times. One of the things that I just didn’t want to forget in this conversation is that that for for parents reading the the book that I wrote, I have gotten tremendous [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) from parents, which I did not expect. Where did you get to you promoting the book? This allowed me to change my conversations I was having with my kids, and I was like, “Well, what do you mean? And they’re like, “Well, now I don’t feel like I have to lecture them. Now I just say, ‘Look, I read in this book. Take a look at this thing, and it talks about this. Would you maybe you could try something like that, like volunteer, like.'” The volunteering thing, etc. It says here, don’t do something for your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), which I’ll touch on in a moment. So just do the stuff you’re interested in, and all of a sudden the kid’s like, “Oh, you’re not telling me what to do, you’re not lecturing me, you’re giving me some ideas, but you’re letting me choose within those ideas the way that I execute on those ideas, and that’s a big deal. You’re not telling me which club to join. You’re just telling me I’d like you to join a few clubs. That’s the most you can expect. I’m paying for college. I’d like you to join a few clubs. That would be very. I think that that would be an important part of your experience. I’d like you to volunteer. I don’t care where. I’d like you to get a job. I don’t care where. You figure that out. If you need my help, you come to me, and that’s it. That changes everything because now you don’t need to nag. You don’t need to tell them what to do. They are not hearing you nag. They’re just hearing you make some. There’s some ground rules and some structure. And why shouldn’t they do it for the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? Oh wait. hang on a second. Sure. Can you hear me still? I hear you fine. Okay, because my something happened to my this, so I’m going to take that off. No problem. So why shouldn’t they do it for the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? ***[Congratulations, You Just Graduated. Now What?: A Practical Guide to Navigating the Modern Job Market](https://amzn.to/44DWy4W)*** Yes. So I said that now twice. Thank you for picking up on that. This dumbest thing that any student does is they have made the assumption. It’s not dumb. I shouldn’t say that. The sad part is students have learned from middle school to high school, from grammar school to middle school to high school, that all you need to do is get good grades. Then you get into college, and the idea is to get good grades and do things for your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because that’s what’s worked for you in the past. That’s what’s allowed you to move along on the conveyor belt that [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) has talked about. However, when I ask you a question in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and I say, Jeff, it says here that you were part of the you know the badminton club. It turns out that I used to play badminton in high school for money because we were gambleaholics. What do you, you know, what what’s your favorite thing to do in badminton? And you’re like, I don’t know, I didn’t, you know, I only went once. Well, now I’m like, well, then why did you, why did you put that down or something? And badminton might sound stupid. It could be anything. Anything I ask you about, if you have no real knowledge, forget knowledge, no real experience doing that, you sound like a jackass. Unfortunately, it’s worse to do that than have nothing on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). I’d rather you hand me a blank slip of paper than that, and I see it all the time. People obviously did something because they thought it sounded good, but they didn’t really participate in those activities. So when I ask them about it, they don’t know what to say. And what you get, you feel exposed at that point because you are, frankly. So I always say to people, you do something for yourself. Get the job to learn the skills because you want those skills because you know you need them. Join the clubs because you’re interested, not because your parents say join the finance club instead of the marketing club because who cares about marketing, or who cares about badminton in my example from before? No, join the things that you are interested in and participate in them, because the second reason is when I go on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), who knows if someone’s going to say, “Wow, you were in that particular. You did this particular thing. You you studied this Mandarin. You took this Mandarin or you know Chinese art class. Why’d you do that? Turns out that was my minor in college, right? Like that happens all the time, because what am I looking for as an employer? Someone who’s a human being who I can like being around, right? Like it’s not just can you be good at the work, and it’s not just that that’s important, and it’s also critical that you want to work with our particular company. But more than either of those two things is: Are we going to like you, or are you going to be someone that we’re going to think is a total jerk off? And if it’s the latter, we don’t need you. Exactly right, Randy. We could keep going on forever, and I can’t. We actually can’t go on forever. Yeah, that part is true as well. How can people find out more about you, the work you do, the book you have, things along those lines? Sure, sure. So the book is called 173 Pages Every College Student Must Read. Here we go, on Amazon, I am. My company is called One On One Mentors, and you can find me just Google One on One Mentors with my name, and you’ll see it. The website is One On One Mentors do com, and call, text, email, whatever. Everything is sort of designed to be. Super easy, and I try to make the whole process one where the student ends up walking away feeling better [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/), more productive, happier, and also super [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to get their parents off their back, and the parents super [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to not have to do that. No parent, you’re a parent, I’m a parent. We don’t want to nag students. You think that we want to do that stuff? We hate that. It’s in the job description. Are you kidding? I’d rather have any other conversation besides that one. Yeah, me as well. Randy, this has been great. Thank you. Yeah, thanks a lot for having me. I really appreciate you putting me on. You’re welcome. And folks, we’ll be back soon with more. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and you can visit my website, thebiggamehunter.us. I’ve got 1000s of posts about different elements of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) material that you can watch, listen to, or read that’ll help you find work more quickly, particularly for you adults, [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, magically deal with workplace-related issues, a whole host of different things. And if you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me, at the website you can schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) or schedule time for a free discovery call. I’d love to help you. Got a question for me? Wizio.com. That’s wisio. com forward slash [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Ask your question, you get a three to five minute video back from me with the answer to it. Lastly, subscribe to my channel on YouTube. Click the small icon in the lower right or the picture of me in the upper left, and you’ll get more from me. Hope you have a great day and be great. ***[Job Search Advice for Students](https://youtu.be/JnbeQDtkEcY)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** College Grads, Text **Tags:** college students, Figuring Out The Career To Pursue While in School, Figuring out the career you want to pursue, Selecting a career path while in school, Selecting a major --- ### [Tough Interview Questions: How Lucky Are You and Why?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-how-lucky-are-you-and-why/) **Published:** July 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This trick question suggests the answer and most people miss it entirely. **Content:** # Tough Interview Questions: How Lucky Are You and Why? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** This is one of those fun trick questions. I have to say, “trick” because let me explain the trick to you because it suggests the answer and most people miss it entirely. The question is, “How lucky are you and why.” The key to suggesting the answer is the “and why” part because most people are going to go off on a tirade about an incredible luck lock luck or they have no luck. Pretty predictable answers. Now, what the employer is suggesting with the question is that there are reasons why people are lucky and they want to know what your reasons are so it lets you know right off the bat they’re thinking it isn’t about luck after all. Now, you might just simply start by saying, “You know, luck is one of those funny things. You know, for example, some musicians are incredibly lucky but no one talks about the 25 years they’ve spent in the studio working up to the point where someone would notice them. Thus, they become the luckiest musicians on the planet because they’ve got the hit record. Or, you know, a variety of things. You can use movies as an example of that. But, fundamentally, what employer generally wants to hear is, “Some people talk about karma and I’ve thought a lot of great things in my life that help to create circumstances where I receive good fortune. And thus you translate luck into good fortune. “But I don’t want to make it seem as though these things happen by accident. I work incredibly hard to make my “luck” as you will to put myself in a position where I have the opportunity to have good things happen to me. You know I do the work. You know I drive sales (You talk about the nature of work). You know, in answering the question, you lay out a couple of things that you do that helps make you “lucky” so that it is really about luck. Most people don’t know how much I’ve done up until this point to arrive at the stage. Where they think it’s luck, I think it’s the effort that’s gone into it.” And then they’ll ask you, “Can you give me an example of that? Can you talk about something from your history where people were amazed that you did something but you spent [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of my life working up to that point?” Maybe it was how you came up with a solution to a problem where you’d seen something similar or in junior high school. On and on and on. You can use examples like that but you know the trick is not that it’s luck but that you’ve put effort into getting “luck” to put yourself in the position to be able to be lucky. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020 [***Mistakes Job Hunters Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hwE) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Text, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** How lucky are you and why? --- ### [Master the AI Skills That Can’t Be Automated](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** To maintain an edge, you must graduate from a task-performer to a system architect who orchestrates AI, human attention, and real-world connections. **Content:** # Master the AI Skills That Can’t Be Automated **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Simply using AI as a tool means you are already behind the curve. As autonomous digital employees replace basic execution, the market value of standard digital tasks is hitting the floor. To maintain an edge, you must graduate from a task-performer to a system architect who orchestrates AI, human attention, and real-world connections. Learn AI is the boilerplate [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) for this decade, but simply using AI as a tool is already behind the curve. We are reaching the point where complex code, copy, and design can assemble and format themselves, completely autonomously. Typing a prompt into a chatbot is only the first layer. The next step moves beyond the chatbot toward the **digital employee**. These are systems with their own context, their own tools, and the ability to verify their own work before it ever hits your inbox. When you can generate infinite digital outputs instantly, the cost of digital execution hits the floor. The market value of completing a basic digital task is evaporating. Value is shifting to things AI cannot replicate: **the orchestrator, human attention, and physical connections.** Relying on pure output is a race to the bottom. To maintain an edge, you must move past being a producer of tasks and start mastering the specific skills that capture these new gaps in the market. ## The 6 Essential Skills That Can’t Be Automated ### 1. The AI Agent Manager Most companies are currently buried in half-working automations and a dozen different AI tools. They need someone who can build a cohesive operating system—designing local agents that have specific permissions and the memory to handle a sales [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) or a [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) project without constant human supervision. - **How to start this weekend:** Build a personal daily briefing agent. Give it your calendar, a folder of notes, and three news sources. Set one rule: *it must show its sources and ask for approval before it sends anything.* This teaches you the core pillars of context, retrieval, and evaluation. ### 2. The Builder-Distributor For decades, the tech industry operated on a clean split: one person wrote the code (the isolated technical builder), and a different person figured out how to sell it (the [charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) distributor). AI is compressing those two roles into one. A single person can now use models to prototype the product, write the launch copy, and record the demo. There is no longer a handoff. You build a small version of a product, put it in front of users immediately, and use their [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) to drive the next round of marketing. This is why the concept of a **one-person, billion-dollar startup** is being discussed seriously for the first time. ### 3. The Distribution Marketer Since AI has made shipping a landing page or an app easier than ever, the bottleneck in the economy has shifted. Creating the product is no longer the hurdle; getting anyone to notice it is. - **The strategy:** Map out exactly where an audience’s attention lives (a specific [Slack](https://thebiggamehunter.us/slack-channels-shorts/) group, a Reddit thread, etc.). Find the exact, painful language they use to describe their problems, and address it *before* you ever build the product. ### 4. The Curator The internet is flooded with polished, AI-generated noise. Algorithms are reacting by prioritizing raw human synthesis. People want a curator who can watch the timeline, find a new model demo or a news item, and explain exactly why it matters to a specific niche. Authentic human taste and the ability to build trust are the only effective filters left. ### 5. The Robotics Engineer While the last decade rewarded moving pixels, the next rewards moving atoms. The robotics engineer combines open-source AI models with cheap hardware and manufacturing. - **How to learn this:** Buy a low-cost robotic arm and teach it a single task, like sorting objects. You will immediately hit the friction of the real world—the lighting changes, the gripper slips, or the object moves two inches and the model fails. Solving those physical errors is where the expertise is built. ### 6. The IRL (In Real Life) Community Builder As work becomes more isolated and digital, the value of a physical, in-person room increases. Physical gatherings hold massive economic weight. People still want to be in the same room as ambitious peers to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), find deals, and get the honest version of what’s happening in their industry. - **How to start:** Host a dinner for six people around one sharp question. After the event, send a recap with the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [quotes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) and [follow-ups](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-master-follow-ups/). That recap turns a single room into an ongoing, high-trust network. ## Conclusion: Become the Orchestrator Moving beyond the screen—whether through machinery or human networks—creates a moat that software alone cannot cross. You don’t need to master all six of these skills. **Pick one to get dangerous, and combine two or three to create undeniable leverage in the market.** The advantage goes to the generalist orchestrator, the person who knows how these pieces fit together to solve a problem. The path forward requires graduating from the role of the worker who performs a task, to the architect who directs the system. > **Resources & Support:** There’s a lot more to help you at **JobSearch.Community**. Become an insider and get [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides. You can also purchase individual products and services a la carte. > > If you liked this video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel to help others find it. > > ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) > > **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** > > People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. > > ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) > > **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** > > **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) > > **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** > > ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** > > He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. > > *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** Master the AI Skills That Can’t Be Automated --- ### [Finding a Job as an Executive or Leader #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) **Published:** July 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you're looking for a senior-level position, this is how you'll get it . . .and likely won't. **Content:** # Finding a Job as an Executive or Leader #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/P5hkzZCsx2M) **If you’re looking for a senior-level position, this is how you’ll get it . . . *and likely won’t.*** [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, #Shorts **Tags:** Finding a Job as an Executive or Leader --- ### [It’s Not Just What You Say on Interviews #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/its-not-just-what-you-say-on-interviews-shorts/) **Published:** July 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Companies don't only want "the right answers" to interview questions. **Content:** # It’s Not Just What You Say on Interviews #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/mDsGTDsditg) Companies don’t only want “the right answers” to [interview questions](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-how-lucky-are-you-and-why/). ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) was the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. He now produces the show. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, #Shorts **Tags:** It’s Not Just What You Say on Interviews --- ### [A Well-Respected Man/Woman--Branding Yourself to Stand Out](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-well-respected-man-woman-branding-yourself-to-stand-out-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** An article in Brainz magazine reminded me of an old song that carries relevance for many of you. **Content:** # A Well-Respected Man/Woman–Branding Yourself to Stand Out **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** An article in Brainz magazine reminded me of an old song that carries relevance for many of you. [***Why Are You Staying in That Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eXa) I was reading an article in Brainz Magazine, that’s BRAINZ Magazine, where a coach was talking about her own struggles with [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and starting her business as a coach,. She employed a coach to support her. And the coach said, I’m just gonna read the exact line, “no one is going to find out about you if you’re hiding out.” And it reminded me of an old song by a band called The Kinks, you can look it up. It’s called Well-Respected Man. And it talked about a man who was regular, he goes to work at nine comes home at 5:30. Takes the same train every time. He’s ordinary. And he’s got aspirations and perversions. And he’s ordinary. And frankly, he’s dull and boring. And the point I want to make to you is most of you, I don’t want to say you’re dull and boring but your ordinar. You’re ordinary professionally. There’s very little that causes you to stand out from others. And we live in a culture where the ability to stand out is important, professionally and personally. I’m not suggesting you become a Kardashian. We’re not going to talk about that kind of [standing out](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/). But how do you become known and respected for what you do, and for who you are. And if you think he could do it by going to work at 9 and coming home at 5:30 and sitting in front of a TV set, I think you’re mistaken. So the goal for you professionally, and probably for you personally, is to become involved, to do things that allow others to know about you. Because otherwise is to have this lethargic life, this lethargic [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), this being a well respected man, doing the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) thing is so conservatively (and it isn’t about your politics being conservative(. It’s about you and the life that you live, and whether you’re willing to get out of your way, and get in front of people. Now some people are going to say, “Ahhh, What is she doing? What is he doing,” because that’s their life, and they want to keep you in the same box they’ve always known you to be in. And I’m not saying it’s easy, but done over time, taking small steps to get people to know you makes a difference. So, for example, you can find podcasters, who do shows related to what you want to be known for and you can get interviewed. You can write and publish it on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/), and share what you write with others. You can do video for YouTube, Facebook, wherever and get known for your expertise. And then people start looking and they start finding you. Small videos, small articles, shared articles, done over the course of time allows you to [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) as different than that well respected man or woman of the song. So get o,ut there and start to establish your reputation for what you know and who you are. And I’m not talking about within your own company. That’s a fine launch point. And you should be known there. But outside of your firm, outside of your immediate universe, in the other social circles you travel in so that people know, like, trust, and respect you and that you’re top of mind when we’re thinking of someone for a role. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). My website is TheBigGameHunter.us. Go there and go exploring. There’s just a lot there that will help you. If you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you, you can schedule time for a free discovery call, schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), or one of my courses. I’ve got a lot available that can help you at my website. In addition, connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/).com/in/TheBigGameHunter; you can follow me there. I release a lot of content. Hope you have a terrific day and, most importantly, be great. Take care! [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, Pinterest, Text **Tags:** a well respected man, Being seen as an expert, Brainz Magazine, Branding, Career branding, job search branding, Personal branding, standing out, Standing out from others, Standing out from the pack --- ### [Crack the Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack-the-hidden-job-market/) **Published:** July 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact four-step framework you need to systematically build connections and leverage AI to land opportunities before they ever go public. **Content:** # Crack the Hidden Job Market **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most people think finding a job is a game of luck or secret handshakes, leaving them frustrated and stuck on the outside looking in. The reality is that [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) operates on a predictable system of math and human relationships, not magic. This episode breaks down the exact four-step framework you need to systematically build connections and leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to land opportunities before they ever go public. You know that feeling, right? You hear about [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) and it just sounds frustrating. Like all these amazing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are getting snapped up before you even see them. It feels like you’re stuck on the outside. Well, today we’re going to pull back that curtain and show you how it really works. So, what is this thing, really? A secret club? Some kind of exclusive database? It’s this big mystery that can make your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Okay, so the first thing you need to get right out of the gate is this: it isn’t magic. Seriously. It’s not about luck, and it’s not about knowing some secret handshake. It’s not magic, it’s math. And look, the good news here is you don’t need to be some kind of math genius to figure this out. [The hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/), it actually runs on a really simple, predictable system. The thing is, most people just don’t know how the numbers work. So, you know what? Let’s do the math together. All right, so when we say it’s math, I’m not talking about calculus or anything complicated. We’re talking about a very predictable reality. Human relationships will always beat just blindly submitting [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-applications-2/) online. It’s a system, and like any system, you can learn how to work it. ***[61 Hidden Job Market Secrets Without Using Social Media](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-m4i)*** And this simple idea, it completely reframes your whole [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). You’re shifting from this feeling of powerlessness—you know, thinking it’s all just luck—to a place of empowerment. The reality is, [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) follows a really clear formula. It’s all about relationships plus deliberate, consistent action. That’s it. So, here’s the bottom line, the fundamental truth you’ve got to internalize: most [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are filled because someone knew someone. It’s that simple. A [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/), a quick recommendation, a chat over coffee—that’s not a mystery, you know? That’s just human connection. Okay, so if it’s math, how do you do the math? What are the steps? Well, it all boils down to a super clear four-step framework. This is the practical, hands-on process you can start using right now to build those relationships that open doors. All right, let’s break this down. Step one: cultivate relationships. This means you’re intentionally building connections, not just hoarding contacts on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-just-follow-a-firm-on-linkedin/). Step two: give value first. This is huge. Always [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/) help, share an interesting article, make an introduction before you even think about asking for something. Third: [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-master-follow-ups/) consistently. A single chat isn’t a relationship. It’s those consistent, light touches that build real trust. And finally, number four: stay visible. Share what you’re working on, leave thoughtful comments, gently remind people that you’re out there. These four steps, that’s the whole foundation of the system. Now, I know what you might be thinking. Keeping track of all of this—cultivating, giving value, following up with dozens of people—it sounds overwhelming. And you’re right, it can be. But this is where a really cool modern tool comes into play. Let’s talk about your new secret weapon for managing this whole system: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). Okay, but wait. Before you tune out, think of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) not as something that replaces you, but as your own personal [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) analyst. Right? It’s like having an assistant who does all the tedious, boring stuff, freeing you up to focus on what actually matters—the human parts. The key here is how you use it. For example, an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can be like your personal CRM, categorizing your contacts, remembering the last thing you talked about. It can help you plan your outreach so nobody falls through the cracks. It can even help you draft a [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) message that sounds professional but still like you. Basically, it handles all the logistics so you can focus on the relationship itself. And that brings us to the most important point of all of this. We’ve talked about math, we’ve talked about the four steps, we’ve even talked about [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). But you have to remember, none of that is the actual point. They’re just tools. The whole purpose of this system, of using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), of thinking about it like math—it’s all designed to do one thing: free up your time and your mental energy. It gets rid of all that organizational clutter so that you can put your focus where it really counts, on the one thing that truly opens doors. And what is that one thing? It’s real, genuine human connection. It’s building actual relationships. That’s the endgame. All these tools and systems, they’re supposed to help you be more human, more connected, not less. And that is how you finally crack [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/). So, I’ll leave you with a question. Moving forward, are you going to keep counting on magic, just hoping for the best? Or are you ready to roll up your sleeves and actually do the math? The choice is totally yours. **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Your Choice Determines Your Success***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gFZ) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[What Are the Biggest Mistakes Job Hunters Make?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Mg)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Crack the Hidden Job Market --- ### [Pass the "So What" Test](https://thebiggamehunter.us/pass-the-so-what-test/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3146 Learn the "So What" test to strip away the fluff, prove your value with tangible data, and finally get the interview call. **Content:** # Pass the “So What” Test **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3146 Most [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are ignored because they read like boring job descriptions instead of high-impact marketing documents. Learn the “So What” test to strip away the fluff, prove your value with tangible data, and finally get the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) call. Okay, today we’re going to talk about a super simple but incredibly powerful test that can take your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) from just another document in the pile to, wow, we need to call this person right now. So let me ask you something. Does this sound familiar? You’ve sent out what feels like a hundred [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and you’re hearing absolutely nothing back. It’s so frustrating, isn’t it? You know you’ve got the skills, you know you can do the job, but for some reason you just can’t seem to get noticed. So what is going on? Well, more often than not, this is the culprit right here. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) reads less like a highlight reel and more like a, well, a boring job description. It’s just a long list of all the things you did. But here’s the thing. Companies don’t really [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you for the tasks you’ve done. They [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you for the results you can get them. To get us thinking the right way, we’re going to borrow a brilliant idea from [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coach Jeff Allen, who you might know as [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). He came up with this fantastic little quality control test. You can apply to every single line on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). He calls it the so what test and it is literally that simple. It’s just one little question that’s designed to slice right through all the fluff and get to the heart of what actually matters, the value you bring to an employer. [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) And using it couldn’t be easier. You just pull up your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and go through it one bullet point at a time, read the line and then out loud, ask yourself, so what? And if you kind of stumble or if you don’t have a really solid answer, that’s a huge red flag. It means that line needs a rewrite. See, this whole test is really about forcing a change in your perspective. Asking so what is just a more direct way of asking the only question that a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is thinking, which is, why should I care about this? If a bullet point on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) doesn’t answer that question, it’s honestly just wasting space. All right, so theory is great, but let’s see how this works in the real world. We’re going to take a super common [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) line and see what happens when we run it through the so what test. Okay, check this out. The before says, manage the company’s social media accounts. You read that and ask, so what? Well, I guess you posted some stuff. It’s pretty weak, right? Now look at the after. Increased social media engagement by 35% in one quarter. Now that answers the so what question, doesn’t it? The so what is a number, a real tangible result that’s actually impressive. And that’s the whole game right there. The after version passes the test with flying colors because it shows your impact. It proves you didn’t just show up and do the job. You actually made a positive difference. You got results. And that is what makes a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) pick up the phone. This all comes back to Jeff Allen’s core idea. You have to remember, companies [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people to solve their problems. So your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) needs to position you not as a task doer, but as a problem solver. It’s all about the solutions you’ve provided in the past. Now, why is this small shift so important? Well, for three big reasons. First, it instantly highlights your actual value. Second, it proves that you’re a results-oriented person, which is what every company wants. And maybe most importantly, it immediately lifts you out of the pile and separates you from all the other candidates who are still just listing their old job duties. I want you to start thinking about your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in a completely new way. It is not a historical record of your job duties. It is a marketing document, plain and simple. And the product it’s selling is you. Its only job is to be so compelling that it gets you in the door for that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). So I’m going to leave you with a challenge. Go open up your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) right now and start [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) the So What Test to every single line. I promise you, there are amazing, valuable solutions hiding in there, just buried under a bunch of boring tasks, waiting for you to uncover them. [Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Pass the "So What" Test --- ### [Another Resume Mistake Job Hunters Make #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/another-resume-mistake-job-hunters-make-shorts/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** People make so many mistakes in their job search. This is one they make with their resume. **Content:** # Another Resume Mistake Job Hunters Make #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/7gQ7PYAzj5Q) People make so many [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). This is one they make with their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Another Resume Mistake Job Hunters Make --- ### [Level Up Your Video Interviews: Mastering Body Language](https://thebiggamehunter.us/level-up-your-video-interviews-mastering-body-language/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Virtual body language encompasses the nonverbal cues and gestures you exhibit during online interactions **Content:** # Level Up Your Video Interviews: Mastering Body Language **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** In today’s increasingly digital world, the video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) has become a standard step in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. While your qualifications and experience are crucial, mastering the nuances of **video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) body language** can significantly impact your [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Just as in face-to-face interactions, your nonverbal cues convey volumes about your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), engagement, and professionalism. By being mindful of how you present yourself virtually, you can make a lasting positive impression and stand out in a competitive job market. **Virtual body language** encompasses the nonverbal cues and gestures you exhibit during online interactions, including video calls and virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). This includes aspects like **[eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/)**, **facial expressions**, **body posture**, and **hand gestures**. Each of these plays a vital role in communication and building rapport in digital environments. Why is being aware of your body language so important during a virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Several factors come into play: - **[First Impressions](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/):** Your virtual body language significantly shapes the initial impression you make. [Confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and enthusiasm can shine through, while nervousness or disinterest can also be inadvertently communicated. - **Nonverbal Communication is Key:** In virtual settings, nonverbal cues can become the primary means of communication, especially if technical issues affect verbal clarity. - **Professionalism:** Demonstrating good virtual body language showcases your respect for the opportunity and indicates that you are invested in making a positive impact. - **Engagement and Interest:** Positive body language signals your active participation and genuine interest in the conversation and the role. - **Building Rapport:** Effective body language helps establish a connection and build trust with the interviewer, which is crucial for a successful [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). - **Communication Effectiveness:** Clear and confident nonverbal cues ensure your messages are received as intended, minimizing the risk of misinterpretation. - **Competitive Advantage:** In a tight job market, paying attention to your body language can give you an edge, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively in a virtual environment. To help you navigate the virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) landscape with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), here are some essential tips to master your video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) body language: - **Make Consistent [Eye Contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) with the Camera:** When speaking, **look directly into the camera lens**. This simulates natural [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) and creates a more personal connection with the interviewer, similar to an in-person conversation. While it might feel unnatural at first, resist the urge to constantly look at your own image or the interviewer’s video feed on the screen. Occasional, natural breaks in [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) are acceptable, such as when considering a question. - **Maintain Upright and Engaged Posture:** **Sit up straight with your shoulders back**. This conveys [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), professionalism, and attentiveness. Avoid slouching or leaning too far back, as this can give an impression of disinterest or a lack of engagement. Good posture also helps you stay mentally alert and focused. - **Smile Naturally and Authentically:** A **genuine smile** can convey warmth, friendliness, and enthusiasm. Smile appropriately throughout the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to create a positive atmosphere and leave a memorable impression. Think of something positive before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to help your smile appear more natural. - **Use Open and Relaxed Hand Gestures Within the Frame:** Employ **natural hand gestures** to emphasize points and express yourself. Keep your gestures open and relaxed to convey [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and authenticity. Be mindful of keeping your gestures within the camera’s view. Avoid crossing your arms, as this can signal defensiveness or being closed-minded. - **Nod and Use Appropriate Facial Expressions to Show Active Listening:** Demonstrate your engagement by **nodding occasionally** and using facial expressions that reflect interest, understanding, or agreement. This nonverbal [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) assures the interviewer that you are actively listening and processing the conversation. - **Position Yourself Naturally in Front of the Camera:** Maintain a **comfortable distance from the camera** so that your face and upper body are clearly visible. Being too close can feel intrusive, while being too far away can make it difficult for the interviewer to see your expressions and body language. Aim to be centered in the frame with a little space above your head. - **Minimize Distractions and Be Mindful of Your Gaze:** Avoid looking around the room or at other screens excessively. If you have notes, position them strategically so you don’t break [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) with the camera for extended periods. A cluttered background can also be distracting, so consider using a virtual background or ensuring a tidy space. - **Dress Professionally from Head to Toe:** While the interviewer will primarily see your upper body, dressing professionally from head to toe can boost your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and mindset. Choose solid colors and avoid distracting patterns that might not translate well on video. Remember that **practice is key**. Conduct mock video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with friends or family to get comfortable with the technology and receive [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) on your body language. Recording yourself can also be a valuable tool for self-assessment. While these tips [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a general guide, it’s also important to be **authentic**. Avoid appearing overly rehearsed or robotic. Aim to integrate these positive body language cues naturally into your communication style. By mastering your video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) body language, you can enhance your virtual [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), build stronger connections with interviewers, and significantly increase your chances of landing your desired job opportunity. So, take these tips to heart, practice your virtual demeanor, and shine in your next video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)! Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2025 ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Video Interviewing, Text **Tags:** Level Up Your Video Interviews: Mastering Body Language --- ### [#NEWLinkedInFeature(s) Captured [in] the Wild 2025.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/newlinkedinfeatures-captured-in-the-wild-2025-3/) **Published:** September 11, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # \#NEWLinkedInFeature(s) Captured \[in\] the Wild 2025. ***By Kevin Turner*** September 9, 2025 Welcome to the 6th Annual edition of the **NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features Captured \[in\] the Wild** for **2025 PART II.** **Thank You to all the Eagle-Eyed and Sharing-Hearts who help make this the ultimate list of NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Features and changes, without you, this resource could not be possible.** ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQE5gxQr0gQEJw/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56Zkt49PDKIAQ-/0/1757411530231?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=nf6xLR7vYn_yHQPIoE2setNMWx856q0fXKMeKIp7SiY) Thank You to all the Eagle-Eyed & Sharing Hearts **CAPTURED \[IN\] THE WILD KEY:** **✰** = **27 NEW,** ▲ = **87 Updates,** **💀** = **7 RIP Removed** (Rest \[in\] Peace), ⛔ = **1 Deprecated** (available but not recommended or supported) 🧨 **= 6 Glitch(es)** (temporary issues big enough to mention) **As of 09.09.2025 Captured \[in\] the Wild = Captured \[in\] the Wild = 128+** ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **BACKGROUND RESOURCES:** **Prior Editions of #NEWLinkedInFeature(s) Captured in the Wild:** 🔘 [**114+ NEW LinkedIn Features & Updates for 2025 (PART I)**](https://lnkd.in/gxHe2jCv) 🔘 [**251+ NEW LinkedIn Features & Updates for 2024**](https://lnkd.in/gxHe2jCv) (PART III & Links to I & II) 🔘 [**200+ NEW LinkedIn Features & Updates for 2023**](https://lnkd.in/gXiA4aCF) (PART III & Links to I & II) 🔘 [**100+ NEW LinkedIn Features 2022**](https://lnkd.in/eYhzjFjE) 🔘 [**40+ NEW LinkedIn Features 2021**](https://lnkd.in/dsW-Zan) 🔘 [**50+ NEW LinkedIn Features 2020**](https://lnkd.in/gP5xGb6) **[LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Rollouts (5 🌊 ⤨ ⏳ ↑)** NEW [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Feature Rollouts usually follow a standard 5 🌊 Waves: ⤨ Randomized, ⏳Timed, & ↑ Increasing in Size, so that [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) can evaluate, adjust, sometimes eliminate, and ultimately to reduce any negative impact, unpredicted loads or code collisions that might blow up the platform. Historically, a clean rollout takes ~30 to 90 Days to complete but over the last few of years we have had rollouts that have taken over a year to complete, some never complete, and the feature is removed. **Product [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/):** If you would like to be part of making [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) a better platform, miss an old feature, would like to suggest new feature or see improvements to an existing one, then fill out the [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) methods that make things happen on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): 🔘 \[NEW\] LinkedIn’s little known [**‘Suggest an improvement’**](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/ask/pcreate) directly to the Product Team: (Captured in the Wild 9.1.2024) 🔘 Microsoft’s hidden online [**LinkedIn Product Group Feedback**](https://lnkd.in/gNzpwuR9) 🔘 Job Seeker [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) email [**jobseeker-feedback@linkedin.com**](mailto:jobseeker-feedback@linkedin.com) 🔘 Mobile In App \[Shake for [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/)\] (Limited Beta) **Other Helpful and Constantly Updated \[in\] Resources:** 🔘 [**90+ Videos on on Youtube about \[in\]**](https://lnkd.in/g6xV4CEN) 🔘 [**The LinkedIn Timeline**](https://lnkd.in/e2_PdMSw) 🔘 [**30+ HIDDEN LINKEDIN RESOURCES**](https://lnkd.in/dyKk6_j) **COMING SOON:** ► **✰ \[Executive job title Verification\]** will require that high-level titles such as Executive Director, Managing Director, and Vice President are workplace verified. This move is designed to guard against executive impersonation, and to ensure that those in senior roles can reflect their company authentically to build and maintain trust and credibility. 09.04.2025 ► **✰** \[Free [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Learning Al courses for job seekers\] With 70% of Al-related skills expected to shift by 2030, Microsoft will also launch almost 100 Al courses in 15 new [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Learning paths and host a nationwide Al Learning Challenge to help job seekers build in-demand skills and address the critical skills gap facing today’s workforce. Starting September 29, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Learning will host an Al Learning Challenge offering 5 days of intensive, free Al education featuring [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) instructors and a list of top Al voices to follow to continue learning every day. 09.08.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ### Let’s Dive \[In\]: ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ▲ \[Notification\] added that shows content that might be of interest from a ‘potential lead’ sponsored by Sales Navigator to promote their free trial. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQGRzo6wKUozhg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56ZkuBfylG0AU-/0/1757413773124?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=P7-bQdIr-VWZQcwXf6CypDGp65OF-69LZFZX-gpXfa8) Captured \[in\] the Wild by [Gillian Whitney](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillianwhitney/) 09.08.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **✰** \[Are you looking for a new Job\] added to the top of the [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) tab with the defaulted (Actively looking) and alternative (Casually looking) buttons. ► When either button is clicked the same selection menu from \[Open to Work\] pop opens. ► You can make changes or retain any previous options to your filters and then click (Next) ► Next pop-up will give you the toggle option to **let [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), who use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) know** ► Next pop-up shows you [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Alert filters created and allows you the option to toggle them off ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQEyb3nOykxm0Q/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56Zkt_hn3KEAQ-/0/1757413275124?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=XiCx6LdC0TuK0bMigHXajfjOJ-b-RsIf0C5Xnq3VQ7Y) 09.07.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **✰** \[Phone support\] offered to Premium Members as part of the live chat with HELP process. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQFpuDcjtrwdXA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56ZkuTH0RKMAQ-/0/1757418389870?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=IwPRBqpyHVJEnaf_sRaIMDhPPRc6TFb2mxEFJxbLwS8) Captured \[in\] the Wild by [John Espirian](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnespirian/) 09.04.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ▲ \[Company Page Verification\] is no longer available to freely apply for and if you were still on the wait list to be reviewed, on September 1st, your request was dropped. Going forward, the only way to get your Company Page verified is to pay for Premium Company page. ![Verified Company Page, Verified Employee](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQFGYXJVOtSB4w/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56Zkt9ZypIAAU-/0/1757412696601?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=GBlBeBoztUH4dQLHsD56e11_992W9YqHoxMHjq9R6Ag) 09.04.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ▲ \[[Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Verification\] requires members who add or update recruiter-related titles, such as ‘Recruiter’ or ‘Talent Acquisition Specialist’, to verify their workplace on their profile. When they do verify, their profile and activity will include a (Verified [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/)) badge. This is in addition to the (Verified [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/)) already available to those with a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) license. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQGy4JpHDitoPw/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56Zkt9jq4KIAU-/0/1757412736621?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=RGsAsf5ZrTBDTbrUSyHjemN1uvg452nW753dflAcFVA) 09.04.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ▲ \[CapCut integration\] allows you to share your video to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) in just two taps: no more exporting hassle or extra steps to go through. And just like when you post a video directly on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), content you share from CapCut that’s related to our video trends will automatically become eligible to surface in those trends. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQEhM8TSd-sEow/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56ZkuU9YcIAAY-/0/1757418874334?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=o9pe919o05FULKD0b8bLMUlzv8D6iAA6oroyRLlEsdg) Through this process your video posted on \[in\] will also note (Made with CapCut). ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQH34v-_BWg_zQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56ZkuVYaZKAAY-/0/1757418982165?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=QcbAXZrRJtjD7OadsWRUl3mvXAEUDSrhZwToKF6bggI) 09.03.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **✰** \[✦ AI-powered [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Assistant\] added to [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to reduce search, set-up, posting and screening an communication time and serve the candidate fasters too. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQE9Wb5aXKXjPg/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56ZkuMXpRI8AU-/0/1757416677696?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=lN7FO0RBj0gxApUSuhQHq7qSlLOFguyV4_QF2DgswYg) ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQG0iriF1eijIQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56ZkuMPy_HUAQ-/0/1757416590489?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=TmXSVpiPyCnDC3z5TSE7lIu1v-ImbWBNA79b9KNkhQ8) 09.03.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ▲ \[Invitation Manager\] adds 2 new sorting tabs (Mutual connections) & (Your school) plus a settings icon ⚙️ that when tapped presents a slide up menu for Invitations settings of (Choose who can connect with you) and (Choose what invitations to receive events, newsletters, pages and more). ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQHiretbDd2A4A/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56Zkt.0uzKEAU-/0/1757413068574?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=cK7g45ehAn5uzCr35ykJcNzkewXumcLbJjQI4flIzu0) ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQEY2znUek_SJw/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56Zkt.71ZI4AU-/0/1757413098976?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=xxm0uF2BvrG1wGRNU8WkAhuaiXwfWFojuK-Dc_TVS34) Captured \[in\] the Wild by [Lindsey Gamble](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-gamble/) 09.02.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **✰** \[✦AI-powered Sales Assistant\] added to Sales Navigator Captions are auto generated Play 08.31.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **✰** \[Content topic prompt\] helps suggest topics that our network would be interested in hearing from us on. Clicking on it opens up the \[Start a post\] feature but the topic isn’t in the Share your [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) box, so a quick copy and past and recommended. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQFUO-n3Syq6HA/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56ZkuHOJ0HUAQ-/0/1757415269822?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=fO4knDTHE-GcekaoHRU9wJzEX8a4GhZs_R0shivUZRQ) Captured \[in\] the Wild by [Jayant Ghosh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayantghosh/) 08.29.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **✰** \[Your Daily Rundown\] added to top of Mobile Feed to keep ypu appraised of the latest news topics that might interest you. ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQH98QcJzR3jUg/article-inline_image-shrink_1500_2232/B56ZkuKOdOKEAU-/0/1757416070369?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=2ExXkCgWuVTgQ56Lx5n0qnQIflZP1o2fAysSxFUj5tw) Captured \[in\] the Wild by [Elliot Grossbard🎗](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliotgrossbard/) 08.27.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ▲ \[Newsletters\] drops the 150 connections requirement to launch to zero connections. 08.13.2025 ### \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ![Article content](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D5612AQH30F76d1MeTQ/article-inline_image-shrink_1000_1488/B56Zkt5vL3JoAQ-/0/1757411735241?e=1760572800&v=beta&t=OV6LLRNiOTDwmpipPqnoJUf7dTx5P1jmfjItZoq1KUM) Since 2005, TNT [Brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) Strategist, LLC has optimized 7K+ Profiles and Company pages with access to internal tools to increase rankings, drive [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) contact, generate 24/7 exposure, and accelerate transitions to dream [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). Most clients get recruited for their dream opportunities shortly after and directly related to their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile Optimization. 🔘 [**200+ Reviews**](https://lnkd.in/gNvwnJVP) 🔘 [**5-Star Ratings**](https://lnkd.in/g8JQx_vu) 🔘 [**Services & Upfront Pricing**](https://lnkd.in/gDdpzpGz) Please let us know if we can help you eliminate your Organizational or Personal Blanding™ \#KeepRockingLinkedIn! [**Kevin D. Turner**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/president?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAAeF-oB0P-QQDZ8qa1q6h-qm8KShdplK-o) **Managing Partner @** [**TNT Brand Strategist LLC**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tnt-brand-strategist/) On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding™ **Categories:** LinkedIn --- ### [Your Next Job Isn't in Your Inner Circle. It's in the Margins.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-next-job-isnt-in-your-inner-circle-its-in-the-margins/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I tell every client who comes to me stuck: you're fishing in the wrong pond. **Content:** # Your Next Job Isn’t in Your Inner Circle. It’s in the Margins. **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I’ve been helping people find new [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for a long time. Recruited for firms you’ve heard of. Coached thousands of people through transitions you wouldn’t believe. I’ll tell you the same thing I tell every client who comes to me stuck: **you’re fishing in the wrong pond.** ## The Research That Blew the Doors Off Mark Granovetter, a young sociologist, surveyed 282 professionals ni 1973. Simple question: “How’d you find your current job?” He expects the answer to be family, [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friends, tight colleagues. Strong ties. **Wrong.** More than half found their [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) through *[weak ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/)*. Acquaintances. People they barely knew. Former coworkers they hadn’t spoken to in years. Granovetter publishes “The Strength of [Weak Ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/).” It became one of the most cited papers in social science history. **Here’s why it matters to you:** your strong ties–your work wife, your college roommate, your three [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) references–they live in *your* world. They know what you know. They talk to whom you talk to. [Weak ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/)? They live in *other* worlds. Different companies. Different industries. Different conversations entirely. That’s where the hidden market lives. Not in your comfort zone, but in the margins. ## Let’s Be Clear About “Weak” Before you go spam-connecting with 500 strangers on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), stop. **Weak doesn’t mean random.** **Weak doesn’t mean cold.** **Weak doesn’t mean “hey, are you [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)?”** The [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) has caught up. MIT, Harvard, Stanford, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) ran a massive experiment. Millions of users. The sweet spot? **Moderately [weak ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/).** People with about 10 mutual connections. That VP you supported on a project four years ago. The peer from your first job who’s now a Director somewhere interesting. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who placed you once—you ghosted each other, it happens. The speaker you chatted with at a conference in 2019. These people have **enough trust to hit reply** and **enough distance to bring you new intel.** That’s your target. Not strangers. Not your besties. The *in-between*. ## Your Assignment This Week (Yes, Assignment) Open [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Filter connections by most recent conversation. Scroll past the first 50, the ones you actually talk to. **Who’s sitting there gathering digital dust?** Make a list. **Twenty names.** Not two hundred. Twenty. Now send this exact message**. Word for word if you want:** > “Hey \[Name\] — saw you’re at \[Company/Role\]. Been following your work from afar. I’m exploring \[specific direction\] and your perspective would mean a lot. Coffee/chat sometime? No agenda. Just catching up.” **No ask. No [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). No “know anyone [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/)?”** Just human connection. The ask comes later. *If* it comes at all. ## The Part Where You Feel Uncomfortable You’re going to feel weird. You’re going to think “I’m using people.” Half won’t reply. **Send them anyway.** I’ve coached [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), C-suite, people restarting at 55. The ones who land? They do the uncomfortable thing. The ones who stay stuck? They wait for their strong ties to magically produce opportunities those strong ties *don’t have access to.* Hope is not a strategy. I don’t care how many affirmations you post. ## Strong Ties Aren’t the Enemy Your close circle? They’re your emotional infrastructure. Your references. Your “you got this” texts at 11 PM. But for **new information** likethe unposted roles, the “we’re creating this for the right person” conversations, the intel on which [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager actually reads [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), you need bridges. [Weak ties](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strength-of-weak-ties-in-your-job-search/) are those bridges. ## The Bottom Line Your next role isn’t hiding in your comfort zone. It’s waiting in the margins. In the connections you’ve neglected. In the conversations you’ve been avoiding because they feel awkward. **Twenty names. Five a day. No agenda.** Track it. [Follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/). Watch what happens. That’s not [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). That’s hunting. And you didn’t come this far to graze. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** Your Next Job Isn't in Your Inner Circle. It's in the Margins. --- ### [The 10 Best High-Leverage Outreach Templates for LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-10-best-high-leverage-outreach-templates-for-linkedin/) **Published:** July 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Most professional networking on LinkedIn is dead on arrival **Content:** # The 10 Best High-Leverage Outreach Templates for LinkedIn # **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most professional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is dead on arrival because it relies on social begging. Job seekers land in a person’s inbox asking for “fifteen minutes to pick your brain,” “a virtual coffee,” or “insight into open opportunities.” At any level of business, these requests are a cognitive tax. They ask a busy professional to perform uncompensated labor for a stranger. The recipient’s default response is to clear the notification and move on. To build real pipeline leverage, you must flip the dynamic entirely. Your outreach must be clinical, direct, and inherently valuable to the person receiving it. You establish professional parity by diagnosing a common workplace problem or offering an execution tool before you ever ask for a conversation. Here are the 10 [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), zero-fluff outreach templates—categorized by scenario—designed to bypass the noise, capture attention, and force a positive response. ### Tier 1: The Direct Project Loop (Targeting Peers and Managers) *Use these templates when reaching out to functional team leads, managers, or peers at organizations where you want to build a bridge.* #### 1. The Operational Friction Hook > **Subject:** Workflow drag / \[Target Company Name\] tracking > > \[First Name\] — I’ve been tracking your team’s recent expansion into automated customer onboarding. Having navigated a parallel implementation at my last company, I noticed that user drop-off usually spikes by about 12% during stage two if the third-party API verification isn’t optimized early. I put together a brief, 1-page checklist on how we insulated our onboarding metrics against that specific drag. No strings attached—let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team. #### 2. The Competitor Shift Diagnostic > **Subject:** \[Competitor Name\] feature rollout / Process risk > > \[First Name\] — Following \[Competitor Name\]’s recent push into self-service merchant portals, I ran a quick assessment of how that changes user expectations in your sector. Having built out parallel portal logic at my previous firm, I mapped the two core technical hurdles most legacy workflows experience during this transition. [Happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to drop the diagnostic checklist over to you if your team wants to stress-test your current footprint. #### 3. The Unbundled Playbook Share > **Subject:** Scaled content production template > > \[First Name\] — I noticed your department is aggressively scaling up its content marketing output this month. When a creative team doubles its volume in a short window, production velocity typically hits a bottleneck around the approval phase due to shifting style guidelines. I open-sourced a 3-step organization playbook we used to maintain speed through our last project. Let me know if you want the Notion link for your team leads—completely open-source, no pitch. ### Tier 2: The Small Business & Growth Matrix (Targeting Founders & Owners) *Use these templates to reach entrepreneurs, agency owners, or startup founders who need agile operators to help scale their operations.* #### 4. The Growth Friction De-Risk > **Subject:** \[Company Name\] / Customer retention insulation > > \[First Name\] — I’ve been following your company’s recent launch of the new product line. Having steered a parallel e-commerce transition previously, I’ve consistently found that post-purchase customer service tickets leak significant revenue during month two if automated tracking [alerts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-alerts-3/) aren’t set up early. I put together a brief, 2-page operational checklist on how we insulated our retention numbers against that specific drag. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your customer [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) team. #### 5. The Execution Bench Offer > **Subject:** Growth operations framework / Mid-market retail > > \[First Name\] — Given your company’s focus on scaling digital sales channels, I wanted to share a repeatable 30-day onboarding framework I built to stabilize internal project timelines during rapid [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) spikes. Having executed three of these rollouts as an operations lead, I’ve mapped the exact workflow steps where project deadlines tend to slip first. If you are scaling up your freelance or contract bench for upcoming projects, I’m [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to share the diagnostic template. ### Tier 3: The Second-Degree Bridge (The Forwardable Protocol) *Use this two-part mechanism when a mutual contact holds the key to an introduction. You give your contact an asset they can copy and paste with zero friction.* #### 6. The Forwardable Peer Note (Sent to your 1st-degree connection) > **Subject:** Introduction to \[Target Name\] at \[Target Company\] > > \[First-Degree Name\] — I noticed you’re connected with \[Target Name\] over at \[Target Company\]. I’ve been tracking their current localization push, and since I recently ran that exact project playbook at my last firm, I put together a brief operational framework on how we mitigated production drag during the transition. I’d love to drop the notes over to them, entirely no strings attached. Would you be open to forwarding the brief note below to them? I’ve drafted it cleanly to save you the typing. #### 7. The Appended Target Note (The text your contact forwards) > \[Target Name\] — I saw we have a mutual contact in \[First-Degree Name\]. I’ve been following your team’s expansion into automated tool integration this quarter. Having navigated that transition previously, I’ve noticed that system synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in workflow velocity during month three if the data pipelines aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief framework on how we insulated our metrics against that specific drag. No strings attached—let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team. ### Tier 4: The Internal Referral Arbitrage *Use these when you want to turn a peer at a target company into a human router who will upload your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) directly into their priority portal.* #### 8. The Requisition ID System Bypass > **Subject:** Requisition #\[Number\] / Internal routing protocol > > \[First Name\] — I’m preparing to submit an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) for the \[Exact Job Title\] role under Requisition #\[Number\]. I know how corporate routing pipelines operate, and I want to ensure my file bypasses the standard public keyword filters to hit the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) team cleanly. If your firm runs an internal referral portal, would you be open to dropping my file into the system directly? I’ve aligned my background explicitly with the core project needs of the department to ensure it reflects well on whoever routes it. > > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ ### Tier 5: The Post-Event / Content Loop *Use these to capitalize on industry data points, live presentations, or high-value insights shared by professionals.* #### 9. The Presentation Autopsy > **Subject:** Your panel notes on digital workflow drag > > \[First Name\] — Caught your presentation at the \[Event Name\] summit regarding legacy asset migration risks. Your point about asset tracking latency echoing into project delays was spot on. We ran into that exact bottleneck during our 2025 scaling phase. I mapped out the simple process patch we deployed to resolve the delay without changing the core platform. If your team is currently tackling that specific bottleneck, I’m [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to send over the template. #### 10. The Structural Content Pivot > **Subject:** Your recent article / Project tracking logic > > \[First Name\] — Your recent analysis on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) regarding project tracking tools hit right on an active friction point in my niche. Most teams underestimate the team resistance from shifting software. Having led three cross-functional tool transitions, I built a lightweight governance framework that aligns team incentives with the software implementation timeline. [Happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to pass the asset tracking sheet over to your team if you are currently running into tracking resistance. ### The Bottom Line Every single one of these templates operates on a strict rule: **Zero requests for charity, maximum delivery of structural leverage.** You do not need to explain your [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) status, you do not need to pitch your entire biographical history, and you do not need to act like you are begging for a break. Deliver localized, high-fidelity insights straight to the decision-maker’s inbox, remove the friction of the interaction, and let your competence pull the right opportunities straight to you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** LinkedIn, Text **Tags:** The 10 Best High-Leverage Outreach Templates for LinkedIn --- ### [Career Growth in the Era of Agentic AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-growth-in-the-era-of-agentic-ai/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you are relying on basic execution to protect your career, you are tracking straight toward obsolescence. **Content:** # Career Growth in the Era of Agentic AI **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) instantly dominates any task with a clear, standard answer, meaning traditional technical skills are rapidly losing value. To survive the next decade, your paycheck depends entirely on your ability to manage chaos, ask profitable questions, and master the final 10% of polish that machines miss. If you are relying on basic execution to protect [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you are tracking straight toward obsolescence. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) models excel at anything with a clear loss function. If a task has a known answer, software can execute it instantly. This means traditional education, where you are graded against a static rubric, trains you for work that is rapidly depreciating. Building a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) solely on solving standardized problems guarantees obsolescence. Over the next decade, your market value depends entirely on what falls outside model [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) windows: identifying ambitious problems, mastering the finally layer of polish, and cultivating irreplaceable human networks. Look at software engineering. Traditional system design and LeetCode-style [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) no longer correlate with job performance, because [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agents can instantly generate perfect code for standard prompts. The new benchmark for top talent is how quickly someone can drop into a chaotic, undefined environment, understand the context, and identify which problems actually need solving. Once those problems are selected, the next step is allocating computational tokens and time to solve. Managing an AI’s execution is the modern equivalent of manual labor. The market no longer rewards the ability to provide the correct answer; it rewards the ability to ask the most lucrative questions. Because anyone can now generate a baseline product with a sloppy [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) prompt, median execution has essentially zero value. This polarization creates the Last Mile Rule: the final 10% of project effort yields 90% of the actual [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) reward. That crucial final 10% requires relentless human iteration, building clean architecture, and [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) extreme creative attention to detail. Professionals who accept an AI’s first draft will fail. The unique, human-driven finishing touches are what capture all the market’s attention and budget. Zooming out to your broader [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) strategy, remember that capital and code are abundant. What remains strictly limited is real human relationships and a trusted professional reputation. Early [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) choices must optimize for exposure to high-level networks and communities. Time spent doing excellent work around reputable people compounds far better than maximizing your starting [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Think of your trajectory using the soccer metric xG, or Expected Goals. Evaluate potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) based on the density and quality of opportunities they generate for you. Maximizing [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) xG means joining teams tackling the most ambitious version of a problem. Evaluate the raw talent of that team and ignore how clunky their initial product demo might look. You won’t convert every chance into a win, but positioning yourself in high-opportunity environments ensures you are consistently in front of the goal. To improve your positioning and access [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), video courses, books, and guides from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), visit jobsearch.community. If you found this breakdown useful, share, comment, like, and follow the channel to ensure this advice reaches others navigating the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) transition. [***4 AI Job Search Tools***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-pHC) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** Career Growth in the Era of Agentic AI --- ### [What Makes A Great Resume?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-a-great-resume/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # What Makes A Great Resume? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) offers concise advice about what goes into a great [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And I’m called [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for it’s about 40 years now. Today, I want to tell you a story about something that happened to me at a barbecue recently. Someone walked over to me and asked me a question that I think is pretty common for people. And the question was, “What should my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) look like? Like what kind of font should I have? What kind of layout should it have? Designed to to get maximum response.” And I paused for a second and looked at the person. I said, “Instead of worrying about the fonts or the layout, try sending a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that actually fits the job instead of sending the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) out for every ad that you see.” And the person paused for a second, kind of quizzically, and said, “What do you mean?” And I said, “You know, people tend to send out the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) over and over again, time after time, for the same job as long as it’s the same job that they’re replying to. When in point of fact, every position description is a little bit different. And as such, it’s kind of like the broken watch that’s right twice a day. You know, twice a day it gives you the right time, but the rest of the time it’s wrong. Well, it’s the same thing if you send out a standard [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/).” Twice a day, infrequently, it’s going to give you responses. But what about all those other times where you think you’re qualified, but the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) doesn’t make a strong enough case? What you need to do is tailor the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Tailor it so it’s obvious to the reader how you fit the job because, otherwise, you’re going to miss out on opportunities that are essential. Opportunities where you really do have the skills and you really do have the experience, but unfortunately, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) just doesn’t make a strong enough case. ## [***Things That Immediately Ruin a First Impression***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-liA) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) [***How Can I Tell a Recruiter “No” When They Ask for References?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3MD) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** what makes a great resume --- ### [No BS Coaching Advice Ezine | December 6 2016](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-coaching-advice-ezine-december-6-2016/) **Published:** January 8, 2017 **Author:** Jeff **Content:** [The December 6 2016 edition of No BS Coaching Advice ](http://conta.cc/2iOO9Um)[Ezine](http://conta.cc/2iOO9Um) ## Do you really think employers are trying to help you? You already know you can’t trust recruiters—they tell you as much as they think you need to know to take the job they after representing so they collect their payday. The skills needed to find a job are different yet complement the skills needed to do a job. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a leadership and career coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. [JobSearchCoachingHQ.com](http://www.JobSearchCoachingHQ.com) changes that with great advice for job hunters—videos, my books and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), podcasts, articles, PLUS a community for you to ask questions of PLUS the ability to ask me questions where I function as your ally with no conflict of interest answering your questions. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](http://bit.ly/thebiggamehunter) You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle for $.99 and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” [Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2) **Categories:** No BS Career Advice --- ### [The Wise Man and The Complainers #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-wise-man-and-the-complainers-career-angles-shorts/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A less than 60-second story about people who complain about how a wise man suggested they do differently. **Content:** # The Wise Man and The Complainers | #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/bUVXOm-X4m8) A less than 60-second story about people who complain about how a wise man suggested they do differently. ## [***Things That Immediately Ruin a First Impression***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-liA) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) [***How Can I Tell a Recruiter “No” When They Ask for References?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3MD) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data.*** **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles **Tags:** Complainers, People who complain, Smart people, stories, Stories inspire change, Stories that inform, Stories that teach, storytime, The wise man and the complainers --- ### [The Best Remote Job Boards](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remote-job-boards/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Sixteen job boards with remote positions available to help you land a remote role **Content:** # The Best Remote Job Boards **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** 1\. [Remotive](https://remotive.com/) Vetted remote tech [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in marketing and sales. 2\. [Remote Rocketship](https://www.remoterocketship.com/) Search work-from-home [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) at top remote companies in the US 3\. [WeWorkRemotely](https://weworkremotely.com/) Top roles in engineering, design, and product management. 4\. [TryRemotely](https://tryremotely.com/) 16,000+ remote [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) from growing companies. 5\. [JobBoardSearch](https://jobboardsearch.com/) Curated job boards in 200+ categories, including remote [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) 6\. [Remote. co](https://remote.co/) Fully remote job board with resources and tips. 7\. [LinkedIn](http://LinkedIn.com) Discover remote [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) and connect with [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). 8\. [FlexJobs](http://FlexJobs.com) Access 26,000+ quality remote job listings. 9\. [Working Nomads](http://workingnomads.co) Find work-from-home opportunities across industries. 10\. [RemoteOK](http://RemoteOK) Simplifies remote job for all seekers. 11\. [Remote100K](https://remote100k.com/) A premium job board dedicated exclusively to remote positions offering $100,000+ annually. 12\. [NoDesk](https://nodesk.co/) NoDesk informs about remote work and connects the global workforce. 13\. [HiringCafe](https://hiring.cafe/) An all-purpose job board with remote listings. 14\. [Arc](http://arc.dev) Rreelance and full-time remote [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) with an emphasis on technology positions 15\. [Wellfound ](https://wellfound.com/) [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) with startups. Includes remote [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) free site 16\. [Google](https://google.com) Although Google is not just a job board, it is the largest aggregator of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), bar none! [***The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Stop Bombing Your Interviews**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uGakiYlbNLbcPXdsSpsRL)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. **[*Smart Questions to Ask Recruiters Before Accepting a Job Offer: Protect Your Career, Negotiate Better Pay, and Avoid Costly Mistakes*](https://amzn.to/4tQ8QTj)** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*How to Build and Pitch Your Fractional Executive Playbook*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPu)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Boards, Text **Tags:** Remote job boards, The best remote job boards --- ### [The Merit Myth of Finding a Job is a Lie #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-merit-myth-of-finding-a-job-is-a-lie-shorts/) **Published:** July 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode exposes the harsh realities of backroom hiring and shows you what it actually takes to cross the finish line.  **Content:** # The Merit Myth of Finding a Job is a Lie \#shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you think a flawless [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) are enough to land a job, you are setting yourself up to get ghosted. The corporate meritocracy is a lie, and perfect candidates are being filtered out by broken [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) before a human ever sees them. This episode exposes the harsh realities of backroom [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) and shows you what it actually takes to cross the finish line. ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Mistakes, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** The merit myth of finding a job is a lie --- ### [Your Resume #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-your-resume/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six second video about your resume. **Content:** # Your Resume #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/tnYFdacI7lk) A six-second video about your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Put your ZIP Code on your resume, Resume Mistakes, your resume --- ### [Oops! The #1 Costly Mistake People Make When Accepting Job Offers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/oops-the-1-costly-mistake-people-make-when-accepting-job-offers/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A podcast interview with Daniel Kahneman helped me think of this topic that I hope helps you head off a disaster in your job search. **Content:** # Oops! The #1 Costly Mistake People Make When Accepting Job Offers **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** I listened to an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) given by Daniel Kahneman where he spoke about noise in our minds. It helped me think of this topic that I hope helps you head off a disaster in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [***Job Fairs: Avoid the Cattle Call***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1z) Hi. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for no BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally, because I make the process of finding work and succeeding at it much easier. I was listening to a podcast [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Daniel Kahneman, a social scientist and economist who was talking about noise, and the kind of noise that causes us to make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). We like to think of ourselves as being rational people but we really aren’t. What often happens in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is that people get distracted, and they start to forget about why it is they’re looking for a job and what they’re hoping to achieve. Thus, what starts to happen is noise starts to enter in, new inputs start to enter in and that’s not necessarily bad. But what often happens is, these are not particularly important inputs and people get seduced by them, We get to like the person we’ll be working for, we think we’ll get along with them. And we forget the fact that they, like you as a job hunter are on good behavior. You’re not really seeing them as they are. As a result, you’re getting advice from someone who has a vested interest in persuading you to join their firm. Even if they decide to reject you, they’re still selling you on the opportunity and the potential and what a great environment this is, Have I mentioned, we’re like family around here? Now they all say this kind of stuff and you lose track of what’s important to you in a job or organization. Many of you don’t even take the time to identify what’s important to you in the next job or organization. What will you need to see or hear to believe it’s a good choice for you. And the result winds up being you’re kind of drifting in the wind, without a clear anchor or a clear focus on what you should be evaluating for. And thus, I always encourage people to take a little bit of time at the beginning of the search to identify those qualities. Don’t wait until you have an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), although if there’s no alternative, you do it then. Ideally, you’re doing this at the beginning of your search, identifying what it was that didn’t work for you in the last firm, seeing how that could be corrected, prioritizing the different things that you jot down. Don’t just stop at one or two things. Put 10 or 20 things down, and then list them in order of importance between one and 2o. 1 being the most important; and 20 being the least important. And remember at the time of your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), go back to this list. Review the position in the context of the list of things that were important to you in the next job or organization and make sure they cover at least the top five or six points on your list. Others can be bonus prizes. That’s fine. But the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make time and time again, is they don’t take the time to do this little bit of work that will help you when you get the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) so you’re not being influenced by personalities or sales pitches, what have you and take something that you really shouldn’t accept. I hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [JobSearch.community](http://JobSearch.community), where I’ve got a bunch of video courses, books, and guides to help you. Plus, you can schedule time for a free discovery call with me at …well actually you can do that at TheBigGameHunter.us and schedule a discovery call with me. But the most important thing is at JobSearch.community, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides and can ask me questions inexpensively. You can get me on two zoom calls a month, a little bit more money. And of course I do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) through the site as well. There are lots of tools there that will help you since you don’t have to spend a lot of money because all of these are things I charge for individually and I’ve aggregated them into an inexpensive package. Hope you have a terrific day and most importantly be great! [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***The Best Way to Discuss Metrics in Your Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kY) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Why People Quit***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-29z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What Employers Look for When They Read Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3o)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Offer, Text **Tags:** Oops! The #1 Costly Mistake People Make When Accepting Job Offers --- ### [No BS Career Advice: July 12 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-12-2026/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: July 12 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![The ultimate power in an interview.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-ultimate-power-in-an-interview-1024x1024.png) My wife is going to be away for a few more weeks and while she’s been gone I’ve gotten together with friends a few times plus went to a local Shakespeare in the park to see The Taming of the Shrew. It was a delight to sit outdoors in lovely weather and watch a number of people ham it up to Shakespeare, something I have not seen in a number of years. **I also released a new checklist on Amazon, “[The No BS 10-Minute Resume Checklist: Stop Letting AI and 6-Second Recruiter Scans Kill Your Job Search](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H7Z529NT)” Includes a $20 off coupon code for a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) review by us. Order the checklist and it’s on the last page.** ## The Shift to Pull Dynamics: How to Force the Market to Chase You **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The executive job market is structurally divided into two distinct operational modes: **Push Dynamics** and **[Pull Dynamics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/)**. Most professionals spend their entire [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) stuck in Push Dynamics. When they need a new role, they update their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as though it were a history book, buy a premium subscription to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or a job board, and start pushing their credentials out into the market. They push their profiles through [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), push their messages into recruiters’ inboxes, and push their networks for introductions. This is an inherently weak, commodity posture. You are presenting yourself as a job hunter begging for permission to enter the building. If you want to operate at the highest tier of corporate compensation and leverage, you have to transition to [Pull Dynamics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-shift-to-pull-dynamics-how-to-force-the-market-to-chase-you/). You do not hunt for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/); you engineer a professional [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) that makes you structurally desirable, forcing the market to seek you out. To become a magnet for enterprise talent acquisition teams, venture capital partners, and executive [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), open-source your execution framework. You have to move past standard credentialing and build an undisputed online and offline monopoly around a specific, high-stakes business transformation. Here is the exact blueprint for shifting the leverage and forcing the market to chase you. ### 1. The Online Protocol: Open-Sourcing Your Frameworks Most senior operators treat their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile like a digital tombstone–a static record of where they went to school and what titles they held at corporations that no longer matter. When a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or a venture [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) partner lands on a profile like that, they see a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) placeholder. They have no visibility into how you actually think, manage, or execute. To build pull [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) online, aggressively unbundle your expertise. Stop publishing generic corporate announcements, congratulations notes, or high-level industry platitudes. Instead, treat your digital footprint as a living, clinical ledger of raw execution. Use your platform to publish no BS autopsies of common structural failures within your niche and how you solved them. - **Document the Friction:** Pick a live, burning operational liability that your target companies are facing right now (e.g., post-merger database synchronization lag, international supply chain margin compression, or mid-tier infrastructure churn). Break down exactly *why* standard management theory fails to solve it. - **Expose the Engine:** Don’t just say you solved a problem; open-source your literal step-by-step checklist. Publish the exact multi-phase operational layout you deployed to fix the drag. Give away the diagnostic logic, the performance metrics you tracked, and the structural organizational changes you enforced. When you consistently put out high-quality execution stories with data, you are running a massive counter-signal to the noise of the market. Corporate decision-makers do not see someone looking for a job; they see an authority figure who has already diagnosed their internal deficit. When a headhunter runs a database query for your domain, your content serves as undeniable proof of competence. They don’t pull you into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to vet your skills; they pull you into a boardroom to buy your playbook. ### 2. The Offline Protocol: Constructing the Specialist Ecosystem While your online footprint handles top-of-funnel discovery, your offline strategy determines your close rate and contract authority. To be hyper-desirable elsewhere, step out of traditional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) circles which are typically full of other people looking for a life raft and position yourself within the ecosystems where capital is deployed. The highest-leverage offline positioning happens within the **advisory and investment matrix**. Find the mid-market private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) operating partners, boutique venture capitalists, and specialized investment bankers who handle transactions within your functional domain. These individuals manage high-value corporate assets and are under constant operational pressure. They don’t read job boards, and they don’t look at typical [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). They need a Rolodex of trusted operators who can step into a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company at a moment’s notice to stabilize a crisis or accelerate a transition. Initiate offline contact not by asking for a job or a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) discussion, but by offering market intelligence. Reach out to an operating partner with a precise, one-page assessment of a macroeconomic or structural shift affecting one of their current investments. [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) them a clean diagnostic tool or a brief evaluation framework they can hand directly to their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) CEOs to protect their unit economics. When you consistently deliver frictionless value to the people managing capital, you insulate yourself from the traditional applicant pool. You become the go-to specialist they call before a [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) is ever retained. ### The Bottom Line Desirability is not an accident of your pedigree or the prestigious names on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). It is a calculated byproduct of structural positioning. As long as you keep your execution blueprints hidden behind closed doors and rely on a standardized database [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to validate your worth, you will remain trapped in the commodity push cycle. Take command of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Turn your cumulative industry scars into a public, repeatable transformation framework. Build your digital monopoly through uncompromised, high-quality data sharing online, and anchor your reputation directly with the operators who deploy capital offline. Give the market undeniable visibility into your leverage, stop playing by the compliance rules of human resource software, and force the world’s highest-paying organizations to come looking for you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 This is a list of blog posts I released last week: **How Honest Should You Be?** Excerpt: You’ve had a first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with the corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), the head of HR, and the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) asks you to call them tomorrow to share exactly what you think. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how much truth you should actually share to protect your professional leverage without killing your candidacy. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be/) **Use This 15-Minute Strategy to Land a Job (Even Before It’s Posted)** Excerpt: In this direct, no-BS episode, we cut through the fluff and reveal the raw power of strategic informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a high-leverage 15-minute strategy designed to unlock hidden job opportunities and position you with key decision-makers before a role ever reaches a public job board. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-this-15-minute-strategy-to-land-a-job-even-before-its-posted/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-this-15-minute-strategy-to-land-a-job-even-before-its-posted/) **[What Makes You a Standout?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: Too many job seekers make the fatal [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of letting themselves seem entirely ordinary during a search loop. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid-fire [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) principle to help you define your unique competitive differentiator and stand out in a heavily crowded talent pool. Link: **Make [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) Want You: Beyond Basic [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: Becoming highly desirable to top-tier [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) is not achieved by mindlessly chasing public job boards or endlessly tweaking your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) margins. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how to pivot your professional positioning by treating your skills as a targeted solution to active business deficiencies, building a comprehensive proof [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), and speaking the direct language of revenue generation. Link: **[Applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) #shorts** Excerpt: Submitting a massive volume of generic [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) creates a false sense of productivity while bottlenecking your actual market value. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a sharp reality check on the hidden tactical costs of over-applying and explains how a high-signal, targeted [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) approach yields superior conversion rates. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/applications-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fthebiggamehunter.us%2Fapplications-shorts%2F) **About [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: Navigating a modern executive transition with outdated [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) playbooks is a guaranteed path to pipeline stagnation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a comprehensive reality check on current labor market dynamics and outlines the structural adjustments required to command real institutional leverage. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/about-job-search/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/about-job-search/) **Why You Aren’t Getting [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)** Excerpt: You check every requirement box, possess the exact years of experience, and look flawless on paper—yet your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) goes completely ignored. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how automated filtering systems parse talent pools and how to fix your tactical execution to secure live screenings. Link: **An Advantage to Having a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Premium Account #shorts** Excerpt: Deciding whether to invest in paid platform tiers requires evaluating your direct [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) return on investment. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) cuts through the marketing noise to isolate one specific, high-leverage [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Premium feature that gives job hunters a clear competitive edge. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/an-advantage-to-having-a-linkedin-premium-account-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/an-advantage-to-having-a-linkedin-premium-account-shorts/) **Tough [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Questions: Give Me an Example of Your [Lateral Thinking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-give-me-an-example-of-your-lateral-thinking/)** Excerpt: When corporate interviewers test your capacity for [lateral thinking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-give-me-an-example-of-your-lateral-thinking/), they aren’t looking for a standard, linear project log. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a clear script breakdown to demonstrate your complex problem-solving agility, cognitive flexibility, and executive resourcefulness. Link: **[Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) and [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) for Digital Pros and Others** Excerpt: Building an authoritative [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) requires moving past generic [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) uploads and passive [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) circles. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares an aggressive promotional blueprint tailored for digital professionals to control their industry narrative and attract premium, unadvertised enterprise roles. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/branding-and-networking-for-digital-pros-and-others/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/branding-and-networking-for-digital-pros-and-others/) **Your Highest-Leverage Network** Excerpt: The front door of a traditional [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) functions like a meat grinder, where submitting a standard [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) online allows automated algorithms to dictate your baseline market value. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how typical [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice misses the mark and delivers a direct framework for uncovering hidden [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) opportunities by shifting focus toward your highest-leverage connections. Link: **Second [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) #shorts** Excerpt: Transitioning from an initial screening to a formal second [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) requires a complete shift in tactical execution and behavior. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid, No BS breakdown detailing exactly how your attitude and mindset during a second-round loop determine whether an organization views you as a high-value leader or a compliance liability. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/second-interviews-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/second-interviews-shorts/) **How to Build Your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Network Fast #shorts** Excerpt: Accumulating connections without a clear business objective simply dilutes your online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) cuts through generic outreach advice to share a high-speed, tactical framework that expands [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) footprint, builds immediate professional leverage, and captures executive attention. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) **Setting Priorities for Your Future** Excerpt: Reacting passively to marketplace disruptions is a guaranteed path to professional stagnation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details a strict operational framework designed to help you regain control of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) trajectory, map out long-term strategic milestones, and execute daily on your highest-value goals. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/setting-priorities-for-your-future/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/setting-priorities-for-your-future/) **Small Firms, Big Impact** Excerpt: Landing at an elite boutique or smaller firm often yields greater market leverage and executive visibility than navigating the bloated bureaucracy of a massive conglomerate. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how to spot agile, high-signal organizations where your direct contributions immediately scale business growth. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/small-firms-big-impact/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/small-firms-big-impact/) **2 [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Job Hunters Make** Excerpt: Most job seekers consistently bottleneck their own [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) pipelines by committing two preventable, systemic tactical errors. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) identifies these critical behavioral flaws and delivers an immediate corrective strategy to optimize your daily workflow and outreach efficiency. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-mistakes-job-hunters-make/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-mistakes-job-hunters-make/) **4 [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [Job Search Tools](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** Excerpt: The modern [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) ecosystem is flooded with automated utilities, but only a select few deliver real competitive leverage. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) evaluates four critical artificial intelligence tools designed to optimize your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), automate market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), and streamline your pipeline execution. Link: **Strategies for Beating the Enterprise Filter in [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/)** Excerpt: [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) remains one of the oldest and most stubborn [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) utilized by Fortune 500 enterprises. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strips away the algorithmic mystery, explaining how [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) parses data and how to structurally adjust your documentation so you pass their enterprise filters and reach a human eyes. Link: **The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Implementation Boom** Excerpt: The era of researching artificial intelligence in an isolated lab is officially over; we are now in the age of aggressive mass corporate integration. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) boom for implementation experts and explains how to position your operational skill set to lead high-value enterprise [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) adoptions. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-ai-implementation-boom/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-ai-implementation-boom/) **[Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is Hard. [Quitting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) is Easy. [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) is Earned** Excerpt: A prolonged, high-stakes [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition will inevitably challenge your professional stamina and exhaust your psychological focus. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers an unvarnished reality check on the emotional friction of an extended search, offering a raw mindset framework to reset your execution and secure elite corporate offers. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) **Your Former Employer Won’t Let People Write Recommendations** Excerpt: Corporate HR departments increasingly implement rigid policies that ban managers from writing official [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) recommendations to avoid legal liabilities. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to navigate this institutional roadblock, bypass the official corporate ban, and legally secure high-impact personal references from former peers. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-former-employer-wont-let-people-write-recommendations/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-former-employer-wont-let-people-write-recommendations/) **Decoding [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/): How to Beat the Enterprise Filter** Excerpt: [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) remains one of the oldest and most stubborn [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) utilized by Fortune 500 enterprises. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strips away the algorithmic mystery, explaining how [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) parses data and how to structurally adjust your documentation so you pass their enterprise filters and reach a human eyes. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) **Is It Better If My [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Is Informal? #shorts** Excerpt: Striking the right tone in modern [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) materials is a delicate balancing act. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid, No BS reality check on when an informal [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) helps you stand out as an authentic candidate and when it instantly gets you tossed out. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-better-if-my-cover-letter-is-informal-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-better-if-my-cover-letter-is-informal-shorts/) **What a Late-Career Layoff Looks Like in America** Excerpt: Facing a corporate restructuring late in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) brings unique, systemic challenges that standard outplacement services completely ignore. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) addresses the harsh realities of [age bias](https://thebiggamehunter.us/overcoming-age-bias-in-job-search/) in the executive landscape and delivers a tactical roadmap to pivot your positioning and reclaim professional leverage. Link: **Beat [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [Frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/): 5 [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) Tips** Excerpt: A prolonged [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) can completely drain your mental stamina and derail your operational consistency. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers five highly tactical, [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) strategies to interrupt [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) loops, manage your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), and restructure your daily pipeline execution for maximum efficiency. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) **Stop! How to Spot [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [Job Scams](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/)** Excerpt: Bad actors are rapidly weaponizing artificial intelligence to deploy hyper-convincing phishing setups, fake [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) profiles, and phantom job listings designed to scrape your personal identity data. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the sophisticated operational models behind these modern [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) scams and outlines the specific validation checkpoints you must execute to safeguard your data. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/) **Secret Executive [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) Hack #shorts** Excerpt: Elite corporate [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) requires moving past cold introductory templates and generic outreach messages. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a high-leverage [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) secret that uncovers unique access points to key industry stakeholders and commands their professional attention. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/secret-executive-networking-and-branding-hack-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/secret-executive-networking-and-branding-hack-shorts/) **I Almost Gave Up** Excerpt: A protracted, complex executive job hunt will eventually challenge your professional resolve and exhaust your psychological endurance. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) addresses the quiet, isolating moments of [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) when execution stalls and provides a strict framework to reconstruct your perspective and maintain tactical momentum. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) **The Top 10 Things To Do When Times Get Tough to Land A Job** Excerpt: When macroeconomic headwinds shrink market [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) volume, relying on basic job board [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) becomes a losing strategy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines an aggressive ten-point operational blueprint to restructure your pipeline, build real leverage, and capture hidden executive roles in highly competitive markets. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-things-to-do-when-times-get-tough-to-land-a-job/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-things-to-do-when-times-get-tough-to-land-a-job/) **People Will Remember | No BS [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Advice | #shorts** Excerpt: When managing a team or conducting a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process, the way you treat candidates during rejections and transitions leaves a permanent imprint on your professional reputation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a raw reality check on how corporate empathy and transparency prevent long-term [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) damage. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts/) **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): July 5, 2026** Excerpt: [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) in the corporate ecosystem requires navigating real-time market shifts and institutional complexities with data-driven strategic planning. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers an unvarnished briefing on executive positioning, [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) metrics, and leadership accountability. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) **How to Apply for a New Job After You’ve Been [Fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/)** Excerpt: Launching a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) after an involuntary termination demands a strategic overhaul of your narrative rather than defensive evasion. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines a systematic framework to control the explanation of your exit, bypass algorithmic biases, and present your background with unshakeable professional [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) **How to Write a [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) That Proves Your Return on Investment** Excerpt: [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers don’t view your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and look for potential—they evaluate it to calculate financial risk. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to shift your documentation from a historical biography of daily chores into an investment prospectus that highlights your exact dollar, speed, and efficiency value. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-write-a-resume-that-proves-your-return-on-investment/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-write-a-resume-that-proves-your-return-on-investment/) **2 [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Job Hunters Make** Excerpt: Most job seekers consistently bottleneck their own [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) pipelines by committing two preventable, systemic tactical errors. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) identifies these critical behavioral flaws and delivers an immediate corrective strategy to optimize your daily workflow and outreach efficiency. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-mistakes-job-hunters-make/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-mistakes-job-hunters-make/) **Stop! How to Spot [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [Job Scams](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/)** Excerpt: Bad actors are rapidly weaponizing artificial intelligence to deploy hyper-convincing phishing setups, fake [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) profiles, and phantom job listings designed to scrape your personal identity data. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the sophisticated operational models behind these modern [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) scams and outlines the specific validation checkpoints you must execute to safeguard your data. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/) **Secret Executive [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) Hack #shorts** Excerpt: Elite corporate [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) requires moving past cold introductory templates and generic outreach messages. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a high-leverage [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) secret that uncovers unique access points to key industry stakeholders and commands their professional attention. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/secret-executive-networking-and-branding-hack-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/secret-executive-networking-and-branding-hack-shorts/) **I Almost Gave Up** Excerpt: A protracted, complex executive job hunt will eventually challenge your professional resolve and exhaust your psychological endurance. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) addresses the quiet, isolating moments of [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) when execution stalls and provides a strict framework to reconstruct your perspective and maintain tactical momentum. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) **The Top 10 Things To Do When Times Get Tough to Land A Job** Excerpt: When macroeconomic headwinds shrink market [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) volume, relying on basic job board [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) becomes a losing strategy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines an aggressive ten-point operational blueprint to restructure your pipeline, build real leverage, and capture hidden executive roles in highly competitive markets. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-things-to-do-when-times-get-tough-to-land-a-job/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-things-to-do-when-times-get-tough-to-land-a-job/) I’ve released a number of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) books and guides over the years, including: ***Books and Guides by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*** ***Available on Amazon*** *[Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) That Work: No BS Playbook for Laptop Professionals to Leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), Refine Their Story, and Get Interviewed (coming soon)* [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: How Hiring Works***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXWDMKVB) [***The No BS Job Search Playbook: AI Job Search Prompts and More***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1K36JNM) [***Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems: Figuring Out Where the Problem Is***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***The Right Answers to Tough Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC) [***Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide for Post-Graduation Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX) [***10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCK7WGBM) [***Great Answers to Behavioral Interview Questions***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCC82N4) [***Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer, Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M) [***Executive Job Offer Forensics: Deep Dive Due Diligence***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GWRVDDCY) [***The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ) [***The Panel Interview Playbook: A Beginner’s Guide to Winning the Room (and the Job)***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTGD8J9T) [***No B.S. 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Many are available for 99 cents People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice, Text --- ### [Our Interesting Thinking About Asking for Help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-interesting-thinking-about-asking-for-help/) **Published:** July 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I conducted an experiment on Facebook about asking for help. What goes on for you? **Content:** # Our Interesting Thinking About Asking for Help **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I conducted an experiment on Facebook about [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/). What goes on for you? I coach people and organizations to play big in the world, and big in their lives. And I conducted an interesting—or at least it was to me, and apparently to some other people—experiment on Facebook over the last few days. And it started off with a question: “What is so hard about saying ‘I need help’ to someone who can help you?” I think that’s a pretty simple question. But, here’s some of the responses. “What’s so hard about saying ‘I need help’ to someone who can help you?” Well, the answers—and I’ll just read them off to you, including my own, which is… “the ego”, “pride”—mine is going to come at the end—”pride”… I’m not… uh, let’s see now… “I’m not sure what the circumstances were that you’re referring to, but maybe, just maybe, the person was maligned or abused the last time or the first time he or she asked for help.” Um, and… Someone else talked about: “was just thinking about this the last few days. I feel like the more help I need, the harder it is to ask.” “Pride, ego, even harder for men. My wife has tried to get me to ask for directions when we’re lost.” “Pride and ego.” “There’s… maybe those who need our help the most just want us to help them.” You know… “Stupidity, plain and simple.” Stupidity was my answer, by the way. “Because it exposes the message I tell myself, that could be true or not, that there is something wrong with me.” I think that’s an interesting one, in particular, Mike. And that’s who said it, Mike. So, I want to go into question number two. Obviously, there’s the perception that there’s something faulty with someone who asks for help that seems to be ingrained in our culture. Uh, because that’s generally what was happening. You know, they asked for help—or didn’t want to ask for help because of pride, ego, being stupid (you know, that was again my thing)—and other reasons that keep them from getting the help that they need. So, how do you feel when you ask for help? This is interesting. Among the answers were: “fearful”, “maybe desperate”. “Oh god. When I was younger, I knew everything and never needed any help. Wrong! Now that I’m an elder, I know there are those who are wiser than me and that I could ask for their help. Now I do.” I don’t believe him. But that’s okay. “Weak. I should know it all and be able to do it all.” Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! I think that’s the real thing. “Humble and hopeful.” There were a couple of “hopefuls” in there, which I thought was interesting. Um… “What a great question. At the depth, I feel scared and vulnerable and incompetent.” Right. So, I think we’ve got this conflict that goes on within us. Yeah, I think this summarizes it very well, what a woman by the first name of Judy said, “Like I’m not worthy, or I’m inconveniencing someone.” It’s as though we screwed up. That we’re defective in some way, we might be rebuked. There are some people who think they’ll feel hopeful, and that’s wonderful. But the vast majority don’t have that sort of reaction. And the result winds up being that many of us live a particular way that’s, frankly, frustrated, disappointed… …you know, and how do you win? Because we don’t know everything, and we don’t know what to do all the time, and we do make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and screw up, and… …you know, we don’t do anything to make it easy for ourselves. Yeah, “easy” is an interesting word in this context, because obviously if you’re [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/), judging by the reactions I first spoke about—fearful, scared, defective, stupid—you know, it’s not so easy. But shouldn’t it be easy to just look at someone and say, “Can I ask you for help for a second?” Like, if they say, “No, not a good time,” “Could I help you at some other point?” “Okay.” You know, that’s usually what happens, right? But emotionally, we’re caught up in this turmoil. So, I’d love you to take a little time to reflect on this for yourself and just think about what the impact is of not [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/), and how that has worked for you and not worked for you. Worked for you in the way of maybe feeling as though you are more capable than you really are… I admit it, I’m incompetent at a lot of things. Far more than I’d like to admit, but I’m really incompetent about a lot of stuff. And, I’d love you to… to consider that it is easier for you once you receive the help that you ask for than without it. So, short video today. Hope you found it helpful. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### ***[Highlight Your Leadership for Executive Jobs](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lil)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Leads, No BS Job Search Advice --- ### [The Mistake People Make at the End of Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-mistake-people-make-at-the-end-of-interviews/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to know when to follow up after an interview, don't make this mistake. **Content:** # **The Mistake People Make at the End of Interviews** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), never asking when they can expect to hear about next steps. That will tell them when to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/). Now the probability is you’ll hear one of three answers from them: 1. I have several more people to speak with, and I’ll be back in touch if I’m interested. 2. I expect to hear from this early part of next week. 3. To me, it’s clear that you’re in a cattle call. The second response is: “I expect to hear from this early part of next week,” to which you might respond, “If I haven’t heard from you by Wednesday or Thursday, is it okay if I [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/)?” That gives you permission to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/), assuming they say yes. If they say, “WAIT,” then it’s not so good. The third option is if they say, “I expect you’ll hear from us early part of next week. We want to have you back to meet this person, this person, and this person and they start describing their roles clearly. You did well.” Again you can [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) by saying, “If I haven’t heard from you by the early part of next week, is it okay if I [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with you by Wednesday or Thursday?” Now following a scenario where a person hasn’t gotten [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) or a decision after two outreaches, to me, who worked in search for a long time before transitioning to [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) advice I can give is to take a hint. If they were interested, they would have followed up by now. If they aren’t sure, they would have communicated to you that they still had a person or two to talk to and they would be back to you around the particular time. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Follow Up, Text **Tags:** The Mistake People Make at the End of Interviews --- ### [Job Search #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-job-search-2/) **Published:** July 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Job Search #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***A six second video about how to make your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) easier.*** ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, #Shorts --- ### [Resilience, Not Worry](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** My guest, Amy Kosh and I discuss developing resilience and positive psychology in an effort to cope and bounce back. **Content:** # Resilience, Not Worry **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Times are certainly complicated! My guest, Amy Kosh, and I discuss developing resilience and positive psychology in an effort to cope and bounce back. Hi, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and you are either watching or listening to No BS [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) Advice. On YouTube, it’s No BS [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) Advice; as a podcast, it’s the [No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/). Periodically, I like to bring on a guest to talk with you about some element of life, the universe, and everything! And today, I’ve got a friend of mine on, Amy Kohut. And she works a practice that I think is fabulous. She works with people who are too smart for their own good. Too smart for their own good. And frankly, they stand out in so many different ways, but they’re so smart and overcommitted, they can’t see their blind spots. So, we’re going to talk about a variety of things, and I think we’re going to have a good time despite the fact that we’re doing this in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic in March 2020. Amy, welcome. Thanks for making time today. Hey Jeff, it’s great to talk with you. And I’m—I’m so glad we’re actually talking about this because resilience couldn’t be—come at a better time, really. You betcha. And that brings up the subject of resilience and positive psychology, which are key parts of your practice. And folks, by the way, she’s got more certifications than a lot of people I know. If you go to her website, anunstoppablelife.com—could you spell that, because I think some people might misspell it? Sure. I wish I had a shorter email sometimes. It’s an—A-N—unstoppable—U-N-S-T-O-P-P-A-B-L-E—life—L-I-F-E—all one word, anunstoppablelife.com. Thank you, I’m exhausted. So, resilience, positive psychology… Yeah. I have an understanding of what resilience is, my definition of it, but that doesn’t make it right. What is resilience as you see it? So, resilience is, very broadly, it’s the ability to bounce back when things happen. And it’s the—not only the ability to bounce back, but it’s also the ability to grow when things happen like that as well. So, that’s a—a really broad definition of resilience, but that’s the way it comes into play in what I do in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) work. Gotcha. So, when I think of resilience by that definition, things don’t go the way we want them to. Right. And we’ve got to bounce back. Welcome to the world of coronavirus right now. Everyone I talk to is marginally or majorly depressed, and they’re frustrated with cabin fever. So, there’s that part of this, and then, of course, there’s the positive psychology, which I somehow suspect is not just, “I’m going to think positive [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Everything is going to be wonderful. I’m going to chew on this grape, and the world will be fabulous.” So, I wish it were that easy. I wish it were, too. So, positive psychology is data-based, and it’s the scientific study of what makes life most worth living. Um, there’s a really great writer in positive psychology, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who talks about flourishing. And so, flourishing is not only living, but feeling amazing while you’re doing it. And that wraps into having a growth mindset. And growth mindset is part of what comes out of being resilient, because when things happen that, you know, like the coronavirus and all the craziness that we’re living with in the world right now, we not only need to be able to bounce back from it, but we need to be able to be creative with the circumstances that we’re now looking in. So, that’s really where positive psychology and resilience meet. So, the—the world I find myself living in right now is the world of worry. Yes. And in the world of worry, everyone is frozen in place. Nothing goes on. Now, we understand that there’s a physical reason for us to be static, but the emotional and mental place is completely different, right? It is. And, I would argue that there’s not even—you can limit how far away from your house you go right now given coronavirus, but it also—there is a benefit to actually physically being active. So, if you have a backyard, getting outside in your backyard and being outside in the fresh air and the sunshine, that also helps build physical resilience. And when your body feels better and more active, you’re—you’re actually telling your mind that you have a capacity to move forward and to grow. And so, when the mind gets that message, it makes it much easier to do all kinds of things like be creative, think of new ways to tackle a problem, and worry less. So, the physical activity actually helps us combat worry, depression, and [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Oh, the Holy Trinity. So, yeah. My version of that is shoulda, woulda, coulda, but worry, [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and what was the third one? Worry, [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), depression, and [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/). Oh, four! Four. Right. Ah, you fooled me there. Yes. So, the old school version of this would be drop and give me ten. Because if you do ten push-ups, you’re actually increasing the oxygen in your body, you’re giving your brain a better place to work from, and you’re also starting to feel like you’ve accomplished—even something small, that can trigger a whole bunch of other positive effects. Now, you’ve spoken about physicality as part of this and not just simply the mind. So, when you work with people, do you tend to start with the body or the mind? Or they—of course, they’re linked together. Right. Well, so the mind sits in the body. So, they’re all… Oh, is it? Not necessarily. And we tend to forget that. So, we have, you know, we forget that our mind is part of our body, it’s an integral part. And when I’m working with people, whether I’m working with teams or I’m working on an individual basis, it really depends on what’s showing up and where they are in terms of how we start. But there’s always three places we can hack the system, and the system is us. Number one! Number one is we can hack it by changing our [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Not the easiest way to do it because you’re trying to change the [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) with the same mind that had the [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). So, not my favorite place to start. And it’s sitting on your shoulder whispering in your ear, telling you, “Shut up! Don’t listen to them.” Yeah, or worst case scenario of two sitting on one on either shoulder arguing with each other, and then you go, “I don’t know what to do,” right? And that’s the world of worry. Yes, that is the world of worry. It’s also the world of living in the past because the more we live in the past, the less we can see about what’s possible right now. So, number two… Number two! Number two is physical. We can change the way we are experiencing the world emotionally and the way we’re thinking about the world by changing our physical behavior. So, in the case of where we all are now, kind of housebound or on an actual lockdown depending upon where in the world we are, we can still do things like stick your head outside the window and wave your arms around and sing something, or do some push-ups on the floor, or do sit-ups with your kids, or do yoga, or walk around your backyard, or practice handstands if you’ve never done it. Any physical movement whatsoever is going to help you change your emotional—what you’re experiencing—and lower your [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) level, lower your cortisol level, and that’s going to change your thinking. The more outside activity you can get, the better off you’re going to be. But even if you’re stuck in an apartment in your house, just keep moving. Clean your house. Do the things that are going to get you physically active. So, those will really help change your system. Guess what we’re up to. Number three! So, number three is you can change the way you’re dealing with the experience of your emotions. And this brings me to one of my favorite words, which is response-ability. And I will give credit because I stole this directly from a really smart guy named Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. And the description makes a whole lot of sense for where we are right now in the world as a whole, as humans. So, response-ability means we have 100% ability to respond to everything all the time. We’re doing it when we’re breathing, we’re doing it when we have emotions come up, we’re doing it when we’re chilly, we’re still—we’re responding all the time. And it’s not always conscious, right? Because you don’t think about breathing. But our ability to take action is where we often get—get kind of tripped up. So, we have the ability to take action not 100% of the time. We can choose what action we want to take. Sometimes we can’t take an action because, literally, there’s—there’s nothing we can do, right? So, in—in this case, we can’t do anything about wishing that the virus hadn’t arrived because there’s nothing we can do about that. But we can take action based on it being here now and what are our choices. Action doesn’t mean doing something. Sometimes choosing to take action means actually sitting on your hands and not doing anything, but that’s what you’ve chosen as your response to what’s going on. Does that make sense? Yeah, it makes a lot of sense because sometimes in that choosing to not act, what you’re doing, in effect, is acceptance. Right. These are the conditions I’m in right now. And that’s the way it’s going to be for a period of time. You can argue with it… Right. …but it’s—it’s really not going to do anything for you. This weekend, someone shared a section from Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, where he talks about the Stockdale Paradox. And Admiral Stockdale was the longest-held officer in the Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam War. And the Admiral, he was beaten brutally. And he said that the people who were optimists failed. Often they were the people who committed suicide because they believed they’d be out by Christmas, and when that didn’t happen, and the Christmas after that, and the Christmas after that, they gave up hope. But for those who brutally could see what their circumstances were, could believe that this is the way it’s going to be and accept it, they survived and thrived under those horrible conditions. And hopefully, none of us have to go through the horrible conditions that exist now for—for too many. But it’s the acceptance of where you are now in the inaction… Right. …that—that seems to be what you’re talking about. Am I interpreting correctly? Oh, absolutely. There’s also another key piece. So, humans like to create action because we think it means that we’re changing something, but sometimes it just digs us into a deeper hole. So, part of giving some space between the response you’re experiencing and the action you choose is—if you give it, you know, somebody once said to me, “Just give anything 72 hours. It could resolve itself. And if it doesn’t resolve itself, you’ll have a better view on what action you really need to take in 72 hours versus just going for it the minute you hear the news.” So, again, we want to create a pause between the response and the action we choose to take. And that’s a big part of being resilient. Patience. Patience. Just pausing for a second. You know, when—when the virus caused us all to pause a week ago, I wrote up an article called “Sabbath” because it really felt like we’re about to step into a Sabbath where nothing could happen, we would choose that nothing could happen. And, of course, now I’m seeing the little glimmers a week later of people trying to elbow a little bit to try and create some room because they’re experiencing cabin fever. And we know, as humans, we hate the feeling of being uncomfortable. Right, right. So, it’s fascinating stuff. And—and I wonder, you know, what’s the process where you can kind of dissect where you are right now? And how do you respond—and that includes non-respond, too? Well, that is a response. Of course it is, I wanted you to say that officially. Whether you choose to do something, let’s use physical because it’s an easy example. Whether you choose to do something physical or not do something is a choice. And really the question in terms of building resilience for ourselves is, which one is going to get us more of what we actually want as an outcome? And so usually, when we can pay attention to what’s going on around us first, so there’s the mindfulness piece that often comes in, right? Look at what’s happening, stop, pay attention, and then choose the action that is—is going to get you what you want next. So, we want to build resilience. So, one way to do that that’s really simple is to start to pay attention to, what’s the question that comes up right now for you, no matter what, around this whole situation? So, a lot of people are concerned about, well, how am I going to handle my business if I can’t run my business from my house? Or how am I going to work with—get my employees so that they’re not all losing their [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)? Or how am I going to make ends meet while I’m, you know, my boss is trying to figure all this out online? And the first great question that you can ask yourself in any of those situations is, what do you want as the outcome? So, instead of asking all the questions first, which usually induces panic in people… Right. …stop for a minute and figure out what specific thing do you want to have be different at the end of that day. So, we’re talking—you and I are talking on a Monday. So, I might ask you, “So, Jeff, what would you like to have be different at the end of today?” And you might come up with something like… 14 new [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) clients! 4,000 people discovering the next video I upload! Excellent. So, those are, you know, those are responses that—you know, who—you don’t have to limit it to what’s rational, right? And that’s part that I think people forget is they feel like, “Well, because of everything that’s going on, I should really limit what I want to create.” And that’s the worst thing you can do right now. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) thing you can do is think big, as you like to say, play big, right? So, think big, and then look at what’s the first action step you need to take in order to do that. So, I have a great example: I coached a business owner this morning. And he said, “Well, the thing I want to create is I want to continue the growth of my company through this whole thing.” And we talked about, what did that look like? And he came up with three areas: one was supporting his staff, one was supporting his clients, and one was continuing to grow his business. And what he started to recognize as we brainstormed through, how do you support your staff? Well, communication is—is a big one. And also asking them how do they want to create—like, what’s it going to look [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) for them as support, because people have different ideas. What would support his clients is also one of the same things: communicate, and let his clients know that all of his staff members can work through—with agility, and they can work online. So, they’ve already gone completely online as a whole team. And letting his clients know that supports his clients so they’re not panicking, because we also happen to be in the middle of tax season… Right. …right? Which is… Like, two bad things, right? The virus and tax season all at once. …like, two bad things, right? The virus and tax season all at once. And we’re not sure which one is worse, by the way, but that’s a different conversation. At least one—right, at least one’s windowed. And then the third piece is, how do you continue to grow? And the thing that he came up with again was communication, because the way—the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way he can grow his company is to communicate what his team is able to do, how they’re supporting their clients, and to get that information out to people who might feel like, “Oh my gosh, my person who does this for me isn’t online, I can’t get ahold of them, and I don’t know what I’m going to do.” So, finding the one thing, like your big goal, and then what’s the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) you need to take to move toward the goal. Don’t worry about the other 20, just do the first one first. Small, incremental steps build on one another. Yes. You know the old adage about the elephant? How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, boss, one bite at a time! Yes, one bite at a time. And—and the journey of a thousand miles begins with… One step. Exactly right. We—we each have our [quotes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/). Yes, many of them. Mine was Maoist, but that’s a different conversation. But, no matter. Folks, in times like this, this is great advice because whether it’s during this time where we feel crisis and our—I know for me, when this first hit home was seizing up in my body, that caused me to start to breathe more shallow. So now, I’m getting a beaming smile from Amy… Yeah. …the recognition of mind and body being connected. I have a great question for people for this one. We’ll—we’ll get to that one second. But the notion that my body was seizing up in some way, and I was breathing more shallow, recognizing the fear there. Well, getting rid of the fear isn’t—is always as easy as taking three deep breaths. It sometimes requires, for me anyway, slowing down a little bit and seeing, okay, what’s possible now? And taking that [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) in that direction. Now, I didn’t let you speak up at that point, I was a bad host. Bad host. No, it was a good point to make, so it was actually a great host. Thank you. So, what were you trying to say then? Well, no, but you—what you reminded me of was, so one of the second ways that we can deal with, asking great questions, right, is asking great questions about what are we experiencing physically right now. So, that question of when fear comes up, when you feel anxious, when you’re feeling worried or concerned or downright panicked, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) question you can ask yourself in that moment is, what is my body feeling right now? The moment you tune into what your body is feeling, you’re going to pay attention to your breath. And when you pay attention to your breath, you can ask the question, can I take a deeper breath? Right? So, it’s a little directive, but taking a deep breath does something, and it’s a biohack that I really love. And you talked about, you know, sometimes that’s not going to always cut it. However, if you start by taking a couple of deep breaths, what you’re doing is you’re providing more oxygen to your brain. When you provide more oxygen to your brain, you can think more clearly. And when you’re breathing more deeply, you’re not actually strangling yourself. So, you’re going to feel a little bit calmer, and then when you feel a little bit calmer, that’s when you get a chance to look around and go, “Huh. All right, what can I do now?” You know, it’s funny, you reminded me of something from many years ago when I was writing my first book. And a month before it was going to come out, I had excruciating back pain. It was so bad my back was seizing up, and the only way to stop it was I’d flip myself onto the ground, onto a bed, something. And the joke in my house is that they would hear the sound, “Ahhh!” and that was me having a—a spasm at that moment. And what I learned from reading a book from John Sarno called Healing Back Pain, I believe it is, is that it is a real feeling that you have, but it’s caused by oxygen deprivation that’s induced by some event that’s held in the body. Yes. And thus, the idea is to identify the event. Now, amazingly, I’d say probably a year later I had my next episode with it. And it happened on three different days. Hmm. There was a day in November, I believe it was the 24th; it was on December 6th, coincidentally my birthday; and it was on December 23rd. And my wife asked me, “What happened? Think back. Is there a linkage between the three days?” And the three days represented the day the divorce papers from my previous wife hit with her, the day it hit with me, and the day she got it. There you go. And it was held in my body, and once I could realize that, no more spasms. It’s fascinating. So, the idea of asking a better question to sort through what’s going on here… Mhm. …what am I feeling now, how could I take a [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) and make some progress here? I use the question, “What’s possible now?” That’s a great question. Thank you, I love that question. It’s—it’s on page 14 of my repertoire. So, the other great one is, “What am I not telling myself?” Ah. Right? So, that’s one when you really feel stuck, ask yourself the question, “What am I not telling myself?” Because we actually always know what we’re not telling ourselves, we just don’t want to say it out loud. And so, when we bring that level of curiosity to it, it becomes a lot easier to answer the question. And you’re coming at it from a different angle than the one you might normally use. Mhm. I have a version of that about the lie we tell ourselves. It’s a different question… Mhm. …but it’s—it’s one designed to confront some tape—sorry, some stream that’s coming through our ears. We can’t use tapes anymore. What’s streaming in our head that’s a message that we’re taking in that we know isn’t true. Yeah. So, that’s a great—that’s a great point too about, you know, the habit that we have of thinking things, which is part of what keeps us out of resilience at times. So, we’ve all developed these habits of thought. And the only thing that creates a habit is repetition. Right? So, the habit is created because we’re repeating [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) over and over and over, and then we build a belief that it’s true because we’ve repeated it so much, we think it’s actually true. It’s just a thought. So, as we start to ask questions of ourselves like, “What am I not telling myself?” or “What am I pretending not to know?” or “What’s possible now?” “What can I create next?” All those questions bring enough curiosity to help us invite ourselves into the conversation and look at, “Oh, what’s the assumption I’m making?” or “What’s the old habit that’s showing up in my thinking that’s keeping me in this place, but I want to move forward?” Does that make sense? It’s the ham story. We—the classic ham story is about the family that always [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) the ham by cutting off one end of the ham and the other end of the ham, and that was part of the recipe. And no one knew why it was done, but it had been passed on for generations. So, they tried to follow the chain back in time until they got to the great-grandma in the nursing home, and they said, “Why did we cut the ham off at each end?” And the answer is, “Because the pot was too small.” But—but there’s a habit that develops that we do in an unthinking manner without ever asking ourselves the question after a while, “Does this really serve me anymore?” Right. “Could I do something different to get better results?” “No, I must do it this way!” So, there’s a great trick too that is actually a really fun thing to do if you have kids and you want to help your kids build resilience. When you’re clear—when you’re emptying out the dishwasher or doing anything that’s kind of mechanical like that and repetitive, have—do it and have your kids do it with their opposite hand. So, if you’re used to, you know, you take all the utensils and you put them away with your right hand, do it with your left hand. And have them do it as well and make it a game. Because not only when you make things a game, it’s a lot more fun, but you’re also literally creating more resilience in your brain because you’re trying to create new neural pathways for things. And it’s another physical activity that will get you out of this, “I can’t possibly do anything else, I’m stuck in my house right now.” What other sorts of physical activities might people do to try and build those neural pathways of difference, the non-habitual ones? So, there are some really great ones from really small to really, um, uh, let’s say over the top, right? So, one of the really small ones is that—that can be really fun is, if you write with your right hand, practice writing with your left hand. And so if you’re writing a grocery list, write with your opposite hand because, again, you’re triggering new neural pathways, but you’re also having to think about what you’re doing in a different way. And it’s going to generate a different way of seeing the world, quite literally. So, that’s a small one. Um, other—other physical… I’m going to update that for modern times. Yeah. So, since no one writes anymore… Oh. …and they put everything on their phone, instead of—if you’re a two-handed typist on your phone, go for one finger on the non-dominant hand and try the non-dominant hand typing for yourself instead of thumbs. Your opposite thumb. Right. Right, right. So, even if you do two-thumb texting, you always are going to use one hand more than the other, so just do it with the opposite thumb and do it one-handed for a little while. It will—it will create a whole new way to see the world. So, that’s one thing you can do. Um, another thing is just looking at your environment and noticing, what are the things in your environment that are either lifting you up and making you feel supported and [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) and joyful, and what are the things that are really just like, “Oh, that thing that has been there for forever and I’ve been meaning to get to it.” So, do a spring cleaning. Things like that will actually really help you get a perspective on what’s possible and—and it will help you be organized. And it keeps you moving, physically. I always think of something from coach [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) I did, where they said one wonderful line: “Environments win.” So, you create an environment that’s supportive of you, knowing that somewhere along the line what will probably happen is that paper is going to start to grow again. Mhm. It’s an amazing phenomenon. You get rid of all the paper and suddenly, a month later, what the hell happened? It starts to grow. I know, right. Right. And it’s the same thing, you know, and I will bring this into the modern day, right? So, I don’t read papers. But I have a ton of journals and blogs and things I like to keep track of, and I’ll tell you if I forget, my inbox gets just filled with the stuff. So, one thing to do is set a cup—time blocking and set, you know, an hour or two on specific times during the week that you’re just going to deal with your inbox, or you’re just going to read the blogs, or you’re just going to catch up on the news. And then delete them once you’ve read them! That’s the—that’s the key. Deleting! Oh my goodness. You mean I shouldn’t possess forever? Oh my god. No. So, here’s one interesting thing, and I’m going to bring a little Eastern philosophy into this. Ooh. So, about—about a year ago, I went to a workshop. And they gave us some writing assignment before the workshop that we had to do. So, we’re—we had to write, and I wrote in my journal because I keep a journal. And in that same—I keep a bullet journal, in fact. And so, in that same bullet journal were all my notes for my business, all the notes for the upcoming workshop I was planning, all the notes for what I had to get my web designer—all of that kind of stuff was in there along with a whole bunch of other things. And we—I took the journal and we did the workshop. And in the middle of the workshop, uh, the—we were—we were told, “And now you have to burn it.” And I panicked! And I thought… Nooo! …”I’m terrible at marketing. I’m never going to remember all of these notes that I’ve taken from my business coach and my web designer and my marketing person. I’m going to forget all of it. I finally got it organized to write down. Holy shit, I can’t possibly burn this thing.” And I—I started tearing out just the pages for the workshop, and this woman comes along and she takes the whole journal from me and she throws it on the fire. And then she turned around and she said, “You don’t need to live in the past. Anything that’s really important, you will be able to remember.” And I—I almost smacked her! The truth comes out! I was really pissed because I was terrified that I wouldn’t actually remember. And what I realized was, I—I got home five days later because we had—I had nothing to write with for the rest of the five days. I got home, and I felt so calm, and I just started tackling things one at a time, and I didn’t worry about it. And she was right. When we hold on—we hold on to so much stuff. I think that’s a lot of what’s coming up, too, with, you know, we’re all stuck in our houses and it’s harder to get our hands on things. So, a lot of people went out and they bought a million rolls of toilet paper, and a million bottles of Listerine, and a million of this, a million of that. But we’re—you know, one of the things to realize is we don’t actually need as much product as we think we need. And we don’t need as many notes as we think we need. And the more we rely upon ourselves to know what’s really important, that’s where we shed old habits, that’s where we start to move into resilience. Because that means we’re always looking for towards what’s going to happen next and what can I affect positively. And the beauty in that, Amy, seems to be that the important things we remember and know. There’s ancillaries, and they’re probably connected to the important in our psyche. It’s kind of like there’s antennae that come out from the core place that connect to these memories. But the important things we remember, and we can always track down the secondaries. Yeah. And the more we simplify, the easier it becomes to see what we actually need to do next. When there’s all this noise, right, it’s that whole signal-to-noise thing. When there’s all this noise around, it’s really hard to see which signal is the important one. Beautiful. Amy, this has been wonderful. How can people find out more about you and the work that you do? So, people can find me online at my website, anunstoppablelife.com. You can email me directly from the site if you’re interested. You can also book a free two-hour strategy session with me. And um, coming up on March 30th, there’s a wellness summit I’ll be part of, and I’ll get Jeff to put some information along with the podcast and the audio for that. But that is also a free three-day, four-day wellness event with a whole bunch of really wonderful people. We’re talking about mind, body, and family and kids during the coronavirus and how to build resilience. And uh, you can also find me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at Amy Kohut, on Medium at @anunstoppablelife, and uh feel free to just email me directly: hello@anunstoppablelife.com. Cool. And folks, we’ll be back soon with more. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you enjoyed this. And if you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), visit my website,—let’s try that again—visit my website, nobscoachingadvice.com. I’ve got a lot more there to support you. [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### ***[Highlight Your Leadership for Executive Jobs](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lil)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Attitude/Mood, No B. S. Coaching Advice, Text **Tags:** Not worry, Resilience, Resilience not worry, Resilient --- ### [Use Visual Proof to Bypass ATS Parsing Software and Screeners](https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-visual-proof-to-bypass-ats-parsing-software-and-screeners/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode delivers the raw blueprint on how to build un-fakeable, visual proof of your execution so you can get in front of decision makers **Content:** # How to Use Visual Proof to Bypass ATS Parsing Software and Screeners **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The traditional [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is dead, killed by AI-generated saturation that makes every applicant look identical on paper. If you’re still relying on text-based [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) and keyword matching to pass automated systems, you’re playing a losing game. This episode delivers the raw blueprint on how to build un-fakeable, visual proof of your execution so you can bypass the screening line entirely and get directly in front of real decision-makers. The systems we’ve used to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for decades are currently hitting a point of saturation where they no longer function as intended. For years, the text-based [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) was the primary currency of [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). You provided a summary of responsibilities, and automated [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), or [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), parsed those words to find a match. But the barrier to creating a perfect [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) has disappeared. With generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), anyone can produce a keyword-optimized CV that looks indistinguishable from an expert’s in just a few seconds. When every [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is grammatically perfect and mathematically optimized for the same keywords, the signal-to-noise ratio drops to zero. A [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) can no longer tell the difference between a high-performer and a well-engineered prompt. In a market where text is cheap and easily replicated, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) have become wary of claims. In response, the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) conversation is moving away from what people say they can do and onto what they have already executed. This shift is leading to the rise of visual proof—tangible, unfakeable artifacts that validate a candidate’s experience. Consider Sarah, a mid-career product manager. Despite having a strong background, her standard [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) were consistently ignored by automated filters, leaving her stuck in a pool of hundreds of identical text-based profiles. Sarah stopped using standard job boards. Instead, she identified 10 target companies and built an explicit product improvement blueprint for each one, hosted on a Notion database. Rather than just listing product discovery as a skill, she embedded interactive Figma prototypes, shared roadmap prioritization frameworks, and included redacted requirement documents to show how she balanced technical constraints with business goals. By sending these direct links to product directors, she bypassed the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) entirely. Within two weeks, she secured three direct [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Putting the artifacts upfront allowed those directors to see her professional judgment and product sense before they even read her name. This approach also works for those who lack the traditional pedigree that automated systems look for. David wanted to move into a technical cybersecurity role, but his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) didn’t have the enterprise-level names usually required to pass an initial screen. To prove he could do the work, he built a physical enterprise environment in his home using cloud instances. This served as a live staging ground where he could simulate real-world security incidents. David recorded 60-second micro-videos of his screen while he was actively mitigating these simulated attacks, analyzing live logs, and configuring servers in real time. He embedded these video links directly into the top of his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). When a technical director clicked, they didn’t see a list of certifications; they saw a professional actively demonstrating enterprise-level troubleshooting. David was hired because his visual proof removed the uncertainty of a bad [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). His actual execution made his lack of academic credentials irrelevant. You can adopt this strategy by shifting your mindset from that of a standard applicant to that of a [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) who solves specific problems. First, keep a value ledger. Track the specific data points, dashboard screenshots, and system architectures from your daily work that show your actual contributions. Second, create explainer snippets. Use a screen recording tool to make a two-minute video breaking down the architecture of a complex problem you solved in the past. Finally, build redacted case studies. Take a business asset you’ve authored, like a workflow audit or a project schedule, and remove the sensitive data. The resulting document acts as a blueprint of how you think and execute. These assets are especially effective when reaching out to high-stakes decision-makers, such as private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) operating partners. In a landscape where text is increasingly difficult to verify, the advantage belongs to those who stop describing what they could build and start presenting the actual blueprints of what they have already executed. To learn more about navigating this shift, visit JobSearch.Community to become an insider. You can access Jeff Altman’s [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), courses, and books there. And if this was helpful, please like, comment, and share the video to help others stand out in today’s market. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System, Text --- ### [A Job Search Limerick #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-job-search-limerick-shorts/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I decided to have a little fun and had Google Bard write a limerick about job search. **Content:** # A Job Search Limerick #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/IFJ4PS3wq6A) I decided to have a little fun and had [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) write a limerick about [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [***Why Does It Seem Impossible to Find a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k2R) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Art, #Shorts **Tags:** A Job Search Limerick, job search fun, job search limerick, job search limericks, limerick, limericks --- ### [Beauty is in the Eye of The Beholder](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder-no-bs-coaching-advice/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman encourages you through a quote. **Content:** ## Beauty is in the Eye of The Beholder **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) encourages you through a [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m referred to as [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve hunted down leaders and staff for organizations for more than 40 years. I’ve got some more No BS [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) Advice to help you in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) and in life. It comes from a [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) I just read, something that Salma Hayek of all people said. So let me just read it to you. The “People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside of ourselves.” Great [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). So, when all is said and done, when you think about yourself, do you see yourself as beautiful or as ugly? Do you see yourself as a [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) or a failure? Are you your harshest critic or your biggest advocate? It all starts with believing in yourself. Now, I want to be clear, I’m not suggesting that you’re perfect, although you are perfect the way you are. When I’m speaking of this, I’m talking about you, from the standpoint of a piece of clay, it’s being molded. Are you at the end product yet? I doubt it. You’ve got more work to do. But it’s time to continue sculpting. Life isn’t easy? It can be hard at times. And this is an opportunity. This is a time where you can fix some of the things that aren’t quite right about yourself and,through that belief that it’s worth doing, come to a better place than you are now. Work at it. Try it. Recognize that that It will turn into something beautiful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this helpful. Have a great day. [***The 3 Phases of a Business, Business Transformation, Gifted People, Systemization, RTO, and More***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iKF) [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** No B. S. Coaching Advice, Text **Tags:** Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Salma Hayek (Celebrity) --- ### [Tough Interview Questions: Give Me an Example of Your Lateral Thinking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-give-me-an-example-of-your-lateral-thinking/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I think this is an obnoxious interview question because most people have no idea what someone is talking about when they say, "So, give me an example of your lateral thinking." **Content:** # Tough Interview Questions: Give Me an Example of Your Lateral Thinking **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** What the heck is lateral thinking anyway and how do I answer the question? I think this is an obnoxious [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) question because most people have no idea what someone is talking about when they say, “So, give me an example of your lateral thinking.” Simply put, lateral thinking is a creative way toward solving a problem. However, when they are using this term, rather than the more common way of asking, they are trying to create an impression. They want to give you a sense that they are more “powerful,” they are more “knowledgeable,” and that you are stupid. The 1st thing I want to do is encourage you to ask, “I want to confirm what you mean by lateral thinking. Do you mean creative problem-solving? Is that what you are referring to or something else?” Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding! What you’ve done is indicate that you know what they mean by lateral thinking that you want to confirm that THEY know what is meant by lateral thinking. It’s a creative way of demonstrating that you know how to swat them back like the fleas that they are for using an obnoxious term when asking the question. So, what you’ve done is ask them whether when they are using the term, “lateral thinking,” they are referring to creative problem-solving or something else. They will respond by saying, “No! No! No!. Creative problem-solving.” Depending upon where you are in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you would answer differently. If you are a student and looking for your first job and trying to answer this question, you might stop and say, “You know, I don’t have many professional work experiences where I have been asked to creatively problem solve. Certainly not to the degree that you will be asking me to do. The kind of situations that I had to deal with have been relatively simple.” Then, you address how you approach them. Let’s say, you are in a customer service situation and had to deal with an irate customer, you headed them off with the joke, a smile, a laugh, deflecting their anger In some way. How did you address the kind of situation? Maybe you had a manager who is “biting at you” for some reason. They were having a bad day and maybe you said, “I want to help you but I would really appreciate it if you tell me what is going on because you seem more upset and stressed than usual. How can I help you?” If you’re a more experienced person, you talk about a professional situation where you were given something that was a unique challenge and how you went about dissecting the problem to come up with a creative solution and then talk about the dissection process through to the solution.to come up with the solution. See what I’m doing? I’m starting by asking them to define the term and then talking about situations that you could have conceivably been in where you had a situation and creatively addressed an issue. Again, if you’re a college grad, the nature of the creative problem-solving that you had to deal with may have been relatively simple in comparison to what you might be asked to do in this organization. If you are a more experienced person, you go into the situation, define how you addressed it, and go on from there. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### ***[Highlight Your Leadership for Executive Jobs](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lil)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Tough Interview Questions, Text **Tags:** Give Me an Example of Your Lateral Thinking --- ### [What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: How They Evaluate #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recruiters-know-that-you-dont-how-they-evaluate-shorts/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** One thing recruiters know that you don't is how they evaluate people on their interviews **Content:** # What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: How They Evaluate #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Bp8GQ99TFXI) One thing [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) know that you don’t is how they evaluate people on their [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) [***Do You Have Any Other Offers?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bX5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### ***[Highlight Your Leadership for Executive Jobs](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lil)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Recruiters, #Shorts **Tags:** What Recruiters Know That You Don't How They Evaluate --- ### [About Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-23-about-job-search/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Another six-second video about job hunting. **Content:** # About Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Another six-second video about [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** About Job Search --- ### [Treating People Like a Salami | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/treating-people-like-a-salami-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/) **Published:** July 12, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A recent experience with a urologist is the basis for today's show. Are you treating people this way, too? **Content:** ## Treating People Like a Salami **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** An experience with a urologist is the basis for this show. Are you treating people this way, too? [***Being Bold? No, SUPERBOLD!***](https://youtu.be/CyhmZOcgjao) Today’s show was an exchange that I had with the office of a urologist I have been seeing for over 6 years. It culminated in a letter being sent to me firing me as a client. I’m not here to criticize the urologist. He is fine, but my issue is his office and how, in one way or another, they botched my care for at least 3 years now that I can recall. I think there was also one more episode during the 1st 3 years I saw him. No matter, the issue came down to my feeling that I was being treated like a salami– a slab of meat that is inconvenient for them and their lack of correct follow-through. For example, the doctors care is fine. I have no issue whatsoever. But for how many years consecutively can you see a physician and have the prescription botched? Were not having a lab done that’s needed in order to extend the prescription?? On the last visit, they missed even kicking the lab and it prompted me to call them once I was denied coverage having found that what the issue was in calling them and saying, “Hey, I’m using for renewal of this prescription the required you to take a lab and you didn’t take it. And you didn’t file it with the insurance company and you punched it. I need to come in again, have it done, have it sent to the lab and if you think I’m going to pay a copayment or anything else for it, you are mistaken.” This is the final trigger, of course, from their side because I am a BAD PATIENT. I don’t like being treated like someone who is being put to the meatgrinder and it begs the question of how often I or you make people not really feel well cared for. I know it’s a complicated issue as it is for this doctor because you are living with time limits and you are living with a certain amount of pressure and [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) occur.That’s why didn’t [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) the subject for several years because I’m human. I wasn’t being adversely affected but after 3 consecutive years of [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), I decided to speak up. [***Competitive Forces: How They Shape Strategy***](https://youtu.be/0OVz3XXohJQ) I’m just telling you that there are probably times were you may be treating people like a salami. Were you may be treating folks like they are going into the funnel, they are chopped up, homogenized, and they have to proceed out the bottom of the funnel. Is that the way you want to be treated? Really? Is that how you want to be treated? Consider that there might be a better way where you show degree of care and love your client or patient or whomever the makes them feel as though they are well cared for. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Coaching Advice Podcast, No BS Management Advice **Tags:** being fired, treating customers badly, treating people badly, Treating people with respect --- ### [How Honest Should You Be?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You’ve had a first interview with the corporate recruiter, the head of HR, and the hiring manager. The recruiter says, “call me tomorrow and tell me what you think.” How honest should you be? **Content:** # How Honest Should You Be? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You’ve had a first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with the corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), the head of HR, and the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) says, “call me tomorrow and tell me what you think.” How honest should you be? Here’s the situation. You’ve had a first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with a firm. You met with a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Head of HR. Head of an enormous business unit .Celebrity individual. [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) says, ” give me a call tomorrow at two o’clock. Tell me what you think.” How honest should you be? How honest should you be with your questions or concerns ?How honest should you be with your reservations? How honest after a first round? Here’s what I told someone. Not at all .Speak about the challenges. Speak about the opportunities that your C. Speak about your excitement. You see, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is trying to filter out people early in the process and you really don’t know enough to make a decision on your side. Now, after the second round, if this comes up, then it’s a little bit different .You speak about, not concerns, but questions that you have. Not big dramatic ones, but some of the questions you have that need to be addressed. Everything you say to the corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is going to get funneled back to the to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager who’s going to ultimately say, “you know, this person sounds like they would be too big of a problem. Let’s pass.” And you knocked yourself out. The corporate or agency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is not your ally here. On the corporate side, they are looking for “knockout factors. “On the third party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) side, you know, they’re going to try and manipulate you to ignore your doubts and ignore your question marks and poopoo them or say stuff that may or may not be true. More likely not true than true. They’re going to speak about their knowledge of the firm. Have they ever worked there? Probably not. They are going to speak of their knowledge of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. Have they ever worked for that manager? No.So, even with the good party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), you have to operate witha degree of distrust because they’re blowing smoke at you because if you voice too many negatives, they’re seeing dollar signs flying off into the sunset. So, understand when you’re talking to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ,both corporate and third party, after the first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), who are checking your pulse, that’s not the time to develop “an honesty. gene.” Think in terms of always promoting yourself. You’re always selling yourself. You can always say no later on but, for now, go further. ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a career and leadership coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 1200 episodes, “Job Search Radio,” “and his newest [![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/JeffAltman-62.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)show, “No BS [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) Advice” and is a former member of The Forbes Coaches Council. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)?* [Connect with me on LinkedIn.](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter) Then message me to schedule an initial complimentary session. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). [Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2) Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) **Categories:** After The Interview, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Text **Tags:** After The Interview, Calling a recruiter after the interview, finding a job, finding work, Speaking with the recruiter after the interview --- ### [Use This 15-Minute Strategy to Land a Job (Even Before It's Posted)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-this-15-minute-strategy-to-land-a-job-even-before-its-posted/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this direct, no-BS episode, we cut through the fluff and reveal The Power of Informational Interviews. **Content:** # Use This 15-Minute Strategy to Land a Job (Even Before It’s Posted) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3106 Tired of submitting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) into the abyss? We tell you the truth: The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are often never publicly posted. In this direct, no-BS episode, we cut through the fluff and reveal **The Power of Informational [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)**. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Don’t Fill That Many Positions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-otq) Alright, so let’s talk about something you’ve probably heard a million times if you’re looking for a new job or thinking about a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) change, the informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). But let’s be honest, does it actually lead to anything? Or is it just a polite way to waste everyone’s time? We’re going to get to the bottom of this. I mean, this is the real question, isn’t it? You’re busy. The person you want to talk to is definitely busy. And the last thing anybody needs is another meeting that goes nowhere. So are they actually worth the effort? Let’s just get a straight answer on this. And there it is. The short answer is a big, fat no. They are absolutely not a waste of time. ***[Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-owo)*** But okay, that just opens up a much bigger question, right? If they’re so great, what’s the real point? What are you actually supposed to get out of one? And this right here is the key. The whole point isn’t to walk in and ask for a job. No, no. It’s to gain something way more powerful in the long run, real, honest-to-goodness insider knowledge. Think about it this way. It’s like targeted [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). You have a blind spot. You don’t know what a company’s culture is really like or what that job title actually means day to day. So you find the one person who can fill in that blank with their actual experience. It’s the kind of stuff you will never, ever find on Google. And this is the perfect way to picture it. On one side, you have the official story, the polished job description, the company’s shiny About Us page. But on the other side, you have the reality, the actual day-to-day [grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/), the unwritten rules, the real challenges. An informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is the bridge that gets you from one side to the other. So this usually boils down to two main situations. First, you’re eyeing a specific company. You need to talk to someone on the inside to find out about the team dynamics, the work-life balance, you know, the real scoop. Or maybe you’re thinking about a totally new [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path. Well, an informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is your chance to figure out what that job is actually like before you dive in headfirst. So who holds all the secret knowledge? The insiders, of course. You want to talk to the people who are living the reality you’re curious about every single day. Their firsthand experience is what this is all about. They’ve walked the path, and they can tell you where all the potholes are. Okay, so you’re gathering all this great intel. [***Why So Many Interviews?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouh) But how does that turn into, well, anything? This is where it gets really interesting. Because it’s not just about collecting facts. A single good conversation can kick off a chain reaction that leads to some amazing opportunities. This is where the strategy really kicks in. Just look at how this can play out. It starts simple, right? Step one, you just learn. But if you have a good conversation, you start to build a real connection. That’s step two. Then that person might [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) to help you out. Maybe they’ll look at your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or introduce you to someone else. And all of that can eventually lead to the holy grail, them recommending you for an actual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). It all flows from that one simple [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/). And really, that’s the big takeaway. It’s not just one thing you’re getting. It’s knowledge, it’s a new professional relationship, it’s strategic advice, and yeah, it’s a potential foot in the door. The amount of value you can pack into one focused, respectful conversation is just huge. So keeping all of that in mind, I want to leave you with one final thought. Something to get you started on this yourself. Seriously, think about it. If you could sit down with someone who is living your absolute dream [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) right now, what’s the single most important thing you’d need to know? Whatever that question is, that’s your starting point. Now go find an insider you can ask. ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, carer transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) [***A Critical Blind Spot in an Executive Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-okd) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). **[*Don’t Act Desperate!*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-osJ)** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ****[Executive Job Search: The Invisible Market](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HqvttXWslzWyeTLRZD6kU)**** *You have permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Informational interviews, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Use This 15-Minute Strategy to Land a Job (Even Before It's Posted) --- ### [Why You Aren't Getting Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-arent-getting-interviews/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact application audit you need to stop wasting time and finally get your resume in front of a hiring manager. **Content:** # Why You Aren’t Getting Interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You check every requirement box, possess the exact years of experience, and look flawless on paper—yet your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) goes completely ignored. You aren’t failing because you lack the skills; you’re being ruthlessly filtered out by automated software before a human ever sees your name. This episode breaks down the exact [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) audit you need to stop wasting time and finally get your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in front of a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. You check the requirements. You have the exact years of experience. On paper, you are a perfect match for the role. But weeks go by and your inbox stays completely silent. Today, we are going to fix that. We’re doing a real-time [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) strategy audit to identify exactly where your [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) are stalling, and how to get them in front of a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. The reality is, most qualified candidates aren’t rejected because they lack the necessary skills. They’re being filtered out by automated systems before a human being ever even glances at their name. To follow along, you’ll need three things in front of you: your current [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), your open [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, and a target job description. By understanding how these filtration systems work, we can adjust your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) so your hard-earned experience actually reaches the person making the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) decision. Step one starts with how a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) reads. They aren’t looking for evidence that you could learn how to do a job. They are scanning for immediate, fast confirmation that you have already done very similar work. Take your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and look at your bullet points. Reorder them right now so the experience most relevant to that target job description is the very first thing a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) reads. Next, adjust your professional summary. Read the target job description and naturally work their specific phrasing into your summary to establish immediate relevance. Now for step two: clearing the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), or [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). These automated software filters eliminate more candidates than human [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ever do. Look at this comparison. On the left, a multi-column graphic layout might look nice, but the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) often can’t parse the text. On the right, a clean, single-column format ensures the software reads every single word of your qualifications. By trading complex visual design for simple machine readability, you bypass the digital bouncer and ensure a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager actually sees your profile. Step three is quantifying your value. Scan your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for standard phrases like “managed projects” or “worked cross-functionally.” These phrases don’t actually communicate achievements. Let’s look at this breakdown. Instead of just saying “managed projects,” you add scale and impact: “Managed cross-functional projects for a team of 15, resulting in a 20% efficiency increase.” You don’t need perfect metrics, just details that provide scope. Step four is avoiding the broad net [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). Sending out [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) to dozens of wildly different roles feels productive, but it actively dilutes your professional story. Narrow your focus to just one or two specific role types. When your direction is clear, your past experience reads as highly intentional rather than scattered. When you combine precise, quantified metrics with a strictly focused job target, you stop looking like a generic job seeker and start looking like a specialized [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/). Step five is syncing your platforms. Even if you apply directly on a company’s site, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) will check your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. Any discrepancy between that profile and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) instantly creates hesitation. As you can see here, your resume’s headline and core summary need to directly mirror the intro section on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page. Step six is connecting the dots. If you are shifting industries or switching [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), you have to explicitly state how your past experience translates to this new environment. Do not assume the person reading your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) will figure out your transferable skills on their own. You have to make those connections blatantly obvious in your bullet points. Finally, step seven is understanding timing. Sometimes job market silence just means a company is already deep into internal [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) before you even applied. Apply early when you can, and maintain consistency. By presenting a unified story across your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and online profiles and translating your skills explicitly, you remove the friction that keeps [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers from saying yes to an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). You likely don’t need another certificate or another year of experience. You just need a system that makes your existing value easier to recognize. When your alignment is clear, your formatting is ATS-friendly, and your skills are explicitly translated, you’ve addressed the primary technical reasons [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) get ignored. To take your search even further, head over to [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) to become an insider and access [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And if this audit helped you, hit like, leave a comment, and share this video to help others do the same. Taking proactive control over how your professional story is packaged and delivered ensures your qualifications are judged on their actual merit, rather than being lost in an automated filter. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** How to Get More Interviews, Text **Tags:** Why You Aren't Getting Interviews --- ### [Second Interviews #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-second-interviews/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about your attitude on second interviews. **Content:** # Second Interviews #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A short video about your attitude on second [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: “Creative Writing”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Zc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews **Tags:** Second interview advice, second interview tips, Second Interviews, Your attitude on second interviews --- ### [What Makes You a Standout? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Dang! Too many people make themselves seem ordinary. **Content:** # What Makes You a Standout . . . #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/L1Fc2yiXFmk) Dang! Too many people make themselves seem ordinary. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** What Makes You a Standout . . . --- ### [Applications #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six second job search tip about applications. **Content:** # Applications #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/_7nLPlPu9bM) A six second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) tip about [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/). ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applications, #Shorts **Tags:** Applications --- ### [Branding and Networking for Digital Pros and Others](https://thebiggamehunter.us/branding-and-networking-for-digital-pros-and-others-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this interview, I speak with Katie Leimkuehler (pronounced LIME-cooler) about her thoughts about these areas . . . and you'll see the advice is no only for digital pros. **Content:** # Branding and Networking for Digital Pros and Others **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** I am enjoying speaking with other professionals about their ideas of how to do things. In this [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I speak with Katie Leimkuehler (pronounced LIME-cooler) about her [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) about these areas . . . and you’ll see the advice is not only for digital professionals. (From the archives). [***The Importance of Branding***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Ha) Hi, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and welcome. For those of you who’ve been watching me for a while, you know, most of the time, I record short shows that are designed to give you some advice, a tip on some particular subject. But Katie Leimkuhler, and I’m going to spell her name for you in a second, reached out to me. I thought she had a terrific topic for us. Katie is a social media marketing professional and career coach who basically helps people employ personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) techniques to land [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). And Katie’s last name, K-A-T-I-E, is the first name, last name is L-I-E-M K-U-E-H-L-E-R. Did I do that one right? I think so. Thank you. I think you would know if I did it wrong. Katie, welcome. I appreciate you making time today. Yeah, thanks so much for having me. My pleasure. So, Katie, if someone were working in digital and starting to think about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) and all that kind of stuff, give us a sense of a couple of different places that they could kick things off for themselves. Yes, I think the first thing to think about is who you want to target, who you want to connect with and where they’re living online. So, if you’re looking for a job or if you’re just trying to build your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), thinking about where they are. So, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) might be a great place to start. It’s just getting a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, maybe setting up some websites with your name on it, maybe a WordPress or blogging site, and Twitter or Facebook, depending on what you’re doing. So, the first thing I would say is thinking about who you want to find you and what you want them to find, and then thinking about building your profiles so it tells a story. Now, we know so many people live on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Are there other places that the target audience lives that folks should reach out to them at? I think it depends on what industry you’re in. So, if you’re trying to build a [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) and you’re in photography or design or fashion, Pinterest or Instagram might be a great place to start showcasing your work. If you’re into more of a business industry, Twitter is another great one. So, it really depends on what kind of [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) you’re trying to develop and then understanding where those people are online. So, doing some [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) ahead of time, understanding where they are is a great tip to start. You betcha. And the one thing I remind everyone about is [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is so text oriented. It’s more about what you write than what you show, although there are some ways to show some stuff. The other platforms, clearly, there are ways that you can showcase your work. So, we’ve got a couple of sites where the audience lives. Where else should they start off? Well, I think the next thing is to start posting on a regular basis. So, you kind of want to get in the head of the person coming to your profile, whether it’s Twitter, whether it’s [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), or if you have a website, what do you want them to find? So, you want to have your work showcased there, whether it’s photography, your writing, whatever it is that you’re doing, you want to highlight that so people get a sense of what type of work you do, that you understand it, and then posting on those social networks on a consistent basis. So, that just builds credibility when you’re able to say, yeah, you know what, I am an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) at writing and here are like examples, and then posting articles related to that. So, the more you post things related to your industry, you’re building credibility and authority, and that’s what people look for when they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) or just in general to build trust with their audience. So, when you say posting, with what frequency should someone post? I would say three times a week, maybe is a good amount. You don’t want to overdo it. Again, it depends on the social network. So, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), you could post less on if you wanted to, but I’d say three times a week. Twitter, you could post every day, and you can post multiple times a day if you wanted to. So, it kind of does depend on the social network, but I think at least a few times a month to stay relevant on top of it, because one of the things I notice is when people abandon their social media channels, and let’s say they created a Twitter or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or whatever it might be, and then they don’t do anything with it, I kind of think, well, if they dropped the ball on that, what else are they dropping the ball on? So, to stay current, to stay relevant, to show people that you can commit to something, I think it’s really important. Folks, you may have noticed me make a face at one point about dropping the ball on something. I tend to not to think about that because I tend to be an online overshare. So, I just acknowledge my own stuff about that. And with [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), they should post to the feed, should they post to the blogging platforms or groups, where should they post on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)? I think to the feed is a great place to start if you’re just getting into it. So, just posting articles, videos, things that you find relevant. And then I think once you get into the swing of that, if you can post in those long form blog posts, those are a great opportunity to showcase what you know, build your credibility, like I was saying. And I’ve definitely gotten clients, I’ve gotten [recruiters reaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-arent-recruiters-reaching-out-to-me-on-linkedin-thebiggamehuntertv/) out to me, commenting on those types of blog posts. So, I think that’s really a great tool to kind of set you apart too. [***Building a Digital Brand to Maximize Your Exposure and Stop Being a Generic***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iRk) Because not everyone does that on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). A lot of them do just post to the feed. So, when you do that, you kind of are setting yourself apart. And the cool thing, folks, that you can do if you post a blog article or to the blog, is that there’s the ability to then share to the public and share to your contacts on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), share to Twitter and Facebook. So, you can create some increased distribution for your stuff. More people see it, more people learn to know, like, trust and respect what you do, more people start reaching out to you, especially if you follow the advice about doing it with some regularity. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, any sense of what a schedule should look like? Yeah, I think… And this is [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) that we’re talking about, not Twitter. You know, it’s always changing, but I know Thursdays tends to be a good day to post. So, a couple of studies came out recently around two o’clock on Thursdays, just generally in the two to five p.m. hour, tends to be a pretty good time. And I would say, yeah, I think, you know, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday is good. Fridays, I don’t think it’s, you know, gets as much traction. So, I think one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) ways to see what works for you is posting, trying out different things and then see, okay, am I getting traction on my Monday post? Is it the time of day? Is it the type of content? So, kind of doing a little analysis in your own posting to understand what’s working and what isn’t. Do you recommend some of the services for automating the posting as a way of convenience? I think definitely. That really helps to make it easier if you can schedule stuff. And, you know, there’s a lot of different tools like Hootsuite and Buffer that you can use to do that because it does take a step out. So, if you find, let’s say, the 12 articles on leadership, if you’re trying to build a reputation for leadership, that you want to post for the month, you can schedule that ahead of time. So, you don’t have to remember every week or every day to log in and post something. So, it definitely keeps you consistent and is a time saver for sure. Super. So, so far, we’ve talked about understanding where people live online, who your target audience is and where they live, and starting to talk about posting as a way of creating more awareness of who you are and what you do. What else might someone do? I’m going to use the B word that so many people are reluctant to use. Start to [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) yourself as the [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) that you want to be known as. So, I think the next step is engagement. So, I say posting is part one, engagement is part two. So, when it comes to personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), you do want to post things that you know about, but you also want to be engaging with those conversations online. So, social media is interactive. You know, you want to have a two-way conversation. You don’t want it to just be one way. So, joining Twitter chats on the topics of interest to you. They have them on pretty much every topic. So, marketing, education, whatever it is, joining those, replying and interacting and commenting on other people’s posts on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), on Facebook, whatever it might be, because it showcases you do know what you’re talking about. And then people might be like, oh, well, this person, you know, I need help with X, Y, and Z. And they sent me a reply, maybe I [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) them, or maybe there’s someone I can start that conversation with. So, I think engaging with your network, engaging with new people is really where things start to change, especially in your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), because it’s saying that you know what you’re talking about, and then people will reach out to you in relation to that. Do you like Facebook groups at all for this or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) better or you tell me? So, I think it depends. I don’t know that [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) groups are that strong anymore. Facebook groups are very strong. They’ve really taken off in the last couple of years. They’re probably better than pages. I do think they’re a lot more personal. So, if you’re trying to go there and sell your services or promote yourself, it’s probably not the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) place for that. But if you’re looking to make genuine connections with people, maybe in your field, that could be a great place to do that. So, I think people there, it’s a more informal atmosphere where you can make probably a more authentic connection. So, if that’s something you’re looking to do, I would definitely recommend it. Yeah, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) groups are pretty dead. That’s the reality to it. Facebook groups have replaced them. We’ll see how long that currency lasts. I hope it lasts for a long time because Lord knows, I’m finally getting around to launching one in the next month or so. But the reality is, it’s not about broadcast. If all you’re going to be doing is basically saying, buy me, buy me, no one wants to hear it, right? Why would anyone want to hear it from you? They don’t even know you because they don’t want to listen to your podcast. It’s about legitimate engagement. And thus, it’s participation in conversations, right? Exactly. Well, and that’s one of the things in Facebook groups, like you’ll see people say, hey, I’m looking for a marketing coach. I’m looking for help with website design. Who would you guys recommend? And then that’s your opportunity to sell yourself to them. And when people are asking for that help, that’s great. But you’re not just saying, here’s my website, come find me. [***Leveraging Your Network***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-d6i) And that’s such a turnoff anyways, on [social media](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-best-and-worst-job-hunting-advice-on-social-media/), because it comes off as an advertisement, so self-promotional. And that’s when you really lose people is when you start doing those tactics, because everyone can see through them. And they know they’re not authentic. The only place where [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is really useful in this regard is they have a service called Profinder, which if you look along the top of the toolbar, lost along the black ribbon, toward the right, there’s probably an icon that says work. Now, this is only open if you’re a paid [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) user. So, I think you need minimally like a $49 a month account. But then they start sending leads to you versus the kind of stuff that we’re talking about, which is more organic. But that’s a paid service. If you want to use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to draw opportunities to you, you have that chance. But Facebook groups are so good. How would someone go about finding some of the groups? So, I think it’s kind of just searching. So, looking for if you’re looking for local groups, like just trying like, Portland interior designer, and see what happened. A lot of pages will have groups linked to them too. So, if you’re following certain pages, a lot of them will have groups, that’s something new that Facebook has been rolling out. Just, I think, searching and finding and then asking people. So, a lot of, if you belong to an organization, like a lot of them have their own groups. So, it just is searching for the key phrases of what you would want to join. Cool. So, so far, again, we’ve now had an engagement to posting as part of building the [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). What else can someone do? So, I’d say the next step, if you really want to up level your personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), would be to blog or get a website, your own website. So, this could be WordPress, this could be Wix, just something to showcase or highlight your work. Because, you know, that also tells people you’ve taken the time, you’re investing yourself, and that you’re serious. So, when people Google you, if you have a website that’s, you know, just like katielimecolor.com, that’s going to come up, opposed to everything else. So, that also will help with your search ranking. So, I think if you really want to get your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) going, blogging and having a website is the way to go. Even if you don’t, you know, it doesn’t have to be something you’re doing all the time, if you don’t have the time for it. But just having a place to send people to see all of your work in one area will probably make it much easier than them having to come through multiple social networks to see what did you do here? What did you do there? Oh, okay, do I have to go to YouTube to watch your videos? Like, you can have a place where most of your stuff lives, you’re making it much easier for a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or whoever it is visiting your site to get that information. And when I think of websites, whether it’s Wix, Weebly, WordPress, whatever it is, obviously great graphical content, if that’s what your work is. But ultimately, how do you keyword that in order to have or SEO that in order to have people actually find you if they’re not searching for Katie Leinkuhler? Well, I think that’s important to pick what it is that your services or your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/), what it is that you want to do. So, whether it’s a job or if you’re an entrepreneur or whatever it is, you need to have those keywords. So, for me, a lot of it is [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), career [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and social media. So, I blog about those things on my website and then people, I’ll rank for that. So, they might not be looking for me, but they might be looking for help with [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or social media issues and then I will come up for that. So, blogging about what you want to be known for is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to go about it. Super. So, blogging, website, anything that’s content related that helps you become more magnetic, so that people want to find you and you’re attracting people to the magnet works, folks. Where next? So, I’d say after that, if that, you know, you get that going, I would encourage people to guest blog. This I’ve seen has been a real game changer for people, especially a couple of years ago, it was really popular, but it’s still a great tactic to get your name out there. So, if, for example, I’ll use myself, like I wanted to be known in social media. So, I found websites that took contributing writers and I sent my blog post to them and they let me blog on their site. So, I was getting all this new exposure to people and audiences that, you know, have never heard of me. And suddenly I was getting clients and questions and being able to help people that I was not initially, or initially, you know, working with. So, that was really awesome because it opens you up to this new audience. And then they shared on their social media, again, opening it up to a whole nother audience. So, if you can find websites, businesses that take guest bloggers and share your blogs on there, that’s a really great way to build your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) and get exposure to people that you probably normally wouldn’t have exposure to. When I think of visual professionals, photographers, for example, would someone giving away some of their site, their stuff on free sites make sense just as a way of getting the word out? Or is that pushing too much? I think it does. I think you have to give in order to get. And so, in order to kind of get that ball rolling, you have to help people find you. Otherwise, they might not even know you exist. So, initially, I think it’s totally fine, especially as you’re building your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). That’s how most people do it. They [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), you know, maybe an opt-in to their website, maybe a downloadable ebook, something to get people in the door to see what you’re about. So, I think that’s perfectly natural. And let’s use our own relationship as an example. How did you find me? Yeah, exactly. I was looking for podcasts that took guest speakers. And of course, I found you and that we’re interested in career [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and helping people. And I was like, this is great. So, it definitely works. So, you’re a perfect example. Thank you, folks. I’ve got 1100 episodes of one show and 700 of another. The number one and two and an Apple podcast at this point. So, thank you for illustrating how that works. We’ve got so much that we can cover. I’m going to hand the baton over to you. You run with it. Okay, what should we be covering next? Sure. Well, I think the next thing I would encourage people to do if they’re in that [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) process is to think about contacting people through social media instead of the traditional route. So, a lot of things I’ve worked with my clients on is that they say, okay, well, I apply for all these [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). And no, I don’t hear from anybody or, you know, they’re just blindly [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/), hoping for the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). And I always think that’s a big waste of most people’s time. [***How To Use Video For Job Search and Personal Branding***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dI2) Because you’re just you’re going and competing with thousands of people. So, in order to stand out, I always say like kind of go around instead of through, right? So, instead of doing that, um, looking up on the company that you’re [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to finding out who the person is that would actually [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you, not the HR person that gets, you know, first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is who would [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you to find out who that person is. Maybe it’s the marketing director and you look them up on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send them a quick message. Hey, you know what I see that you’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for this position. And I’m really interested, like, would you be open to grabbing coffee? So, try and get in an informal meeting with that person. And you’re getting your foot in the door much faster than anybody else. That tends to work really well because you’re obviously going around the typical HR process. And I think this applies to also places that you don’t see job posting. So, let’s [say there’s a company](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-do-some-companies-say-the-position-requires-us-citizenship-or-permanent-residence/) that you really do want to work with, but you just don’t see a job, you know, that’s open for you. Well, that’s actually a perfect opportunity because you’re, you can then email, find out, okay, I want to work in the marketing department, find that marketing person and say, Hey, I don’t see any job postings, but I’m like really interested in hearing about the company, what you do, all of this stuff, set up an [informational interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/informational-interviews-a-short-script-for-a-networking-email-asking-for-one/). And then when something does come up, they may reach out to you first because they’ve already met you, or they might have something in the works. So I’ve had several people that are like, Oh, we do have a job coming, but we just haven’t posted yet. And you’re first in line. So it’s a really great way to kind of create your own opportunity instead of competing with other people. Cut the line, folks. Don’t get in the line. Don’t swim in the same pool everyone else is. What you want to be doing is not following the rules. Rules are for losers. I hate to be that blunt about it, but let’s get practical. If [job boards worked](https://thebiggamehunter.us/does-posting-your-resume-on-job-boards-work-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/), would you be using job boards? You bet. But they don’t work. You hate them. Why would you want to do what they’re telling you to do if it doesn’t work for you? Works for them, doesn’t work for you. Cut the line, get to the front of the line so that you are advantaged and thus you’re able to showcase yourself and just instead of just being another robot in the system, going down the conveyor belt of their convenience, it doesn’t work for you. Seriously. Yeah. I mean, it’s really great because you definitely want to find your own way. So the other thing is once you’ve really built out your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, I remember maybe eight years ago, I was like, okay, I’m going to just fully fill this out. Immediately, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) started contacting me. I mean, I probably every day would get someone contacting me. So the more robust your profile, the more likely, first of all, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are going to reach out to you and you don’t have to do that work. And then you’re just building this profile that really establishes who you are. So I think just being proactive about it and knowing what you want and telling that to people. So another thing I tell people to do is, okay, so you’ve met with this person. They don’t have anything. Well, ask them for three other recommendations of people that you should talk to. So now that they know what you’re looking for, they might have a friend at another company with a perfect opening for you. So kind of just sourcing your network of people once you meet them and continuing that down, that is a really great tactic as well. I’m going to give you two more. This one’s, it’s quirky, but I know these work. Number one is if you’re looking for a job, put your email address and or phone number if you’re open to that in the summary area of your profile. When you’re not looking, take it out, but just make it easy for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to reach out to instead of spending $15 per pop to reach to you. This one is new, at least new for me. And that is, you know how when people reach out to you, most of the time you decide yes or no, make a decision and that’s probably as far as you go. I start to use a text expander to respond back. And the simple question I ask is, what prompted you to reach out to me? Was it this or that or this or that? What I’m trying to do is find out whether it’s someone who’s interested in [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), someone who’s interested because they’ve listened to my podcast or watch my videos or recommended by [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), whatever it is. Now, the fun thing about this is, if you use a text expander, you don’t have to wind up keying this in time and time again. But LinkedIn’s algorithm seems to be favoring me a lot more. And I can see a chart where my people who’ve looked at my profile has gone from like this to it’s like this. It’s really that profoundly different. So, I was going from like 700, 800 people a week to I’m sorry, a week to two and a half thousand. Huge difference all because I attempt to engage. So, give it a shot. Try just responding back. They’ll respond. LinkedIn’s algorithm interprets this as engagement. They seem to be wanting this. And let’s see if your numbers start to increase. They may not be as steep as mine because I’m [LinkedIn member](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-do-some-people-show-up-as-linkedin-member-in-search-results-jobsearchtv-com/) 7653. A lot of people reach out to me just on that basis alone. But let’s see if your numbers go up from there. I love that tip. That’s a great one. And I think that’s excellent because you’re [exactly giving them a reason](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-dont-recruiters-tell-you-the-exact-reason-you-were-rejected-jobsearchtv-com/) to respond. I also like to respond with, how can I help you? What can I help you with? So, maybe there’s something like, are they looking to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me? Are they looking to recruit? Or maybe they need help with a certain project, whatever it is. So, that is also a way I like to respond to. So, that’s great. I love it. Thank you. And one of the ways I try and draw the response back is, in my case, I [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a video about final [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). If you’d like me to send you a video about final [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), be [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to do that. [***Branding. Brandjacking. Build Your Reputation***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dXt) If you’re not interested, no problem. Just as curious as to what brought you to me. And the request for final [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), again, gives me one more opportunity to engage with them. I use a text expander to send it back to them. The one I use is a Chrome extension whose name escapes me. But if you look in the Chrome store, I’m sure you’ll find it. Okay, we’ve given them ways to engage in conversations on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). What else should they do? Well, I’m trying to think. I mean, those are a lot of the good basics. I think once you get going with that, it’s also building, you know, turning those conversations into relationships. So, one part, you know, is the engagement and getting that going. But after that, like, you want to take those online relationships offline. I think that’s where things start to change. So, whether it’s connecting with new people that you’re looking for a job or whoever it is, I think the in-person, the phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), all of that, that’s where you really get to know people and you’re going to stand out. So, in any way, whatever it is you’re trying to achieve, I would try and get, you know, start building a relationship with them. And that, I think, will really tip things in those people’s favor. You betcha. You know, fundamentally, this is all about the relationship. After all, if all you’re doing is connecting and then going, you got work for me, who wants that? Over the course of time, even if it’s not in this [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) or this particular business opportunity that you get the work, the idea is using this over the course of a continuum of time to build a relationship. So, people think of you. So, you’re a top of mind. It’s kind of like firms run ads on TV repeatedly so that you remember the product, right? Except the product is now you and you have to do much the same thing to become top of mind. It’s work on your part. But trust me, it really does pay off. I worked in search for more than 40 years building networks of people to help me fill [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) because they knew, like, trust and respected the work that I did. And now, doing the [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) that I do, there’s a great opportunity for you to mirror that by taking the long game and not just simply the short one. Yeah, I think that’s a great point. I also think, like you were saying, top of mind is huge. So, that’s why the posting on a regular basis is great because then people see you. Oh, you know what? I see Katie there. Oh, you know what? Actually, I’ve been meaning to reach out to her about something like that’s a big one and then also adding value. So, I like to think about, who is the person coming to my profile? Who’s coming to my website? What do they need help with? So, I try and answer those questions. If someone’s coming to me for social media, someone’s going to me for [career coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-coach-office-hours-may-7-2021-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/), I’m going to post articles about that and trying to add value to my network. You don’t want to just kind of post generic things like, here’s my lunch. You want to post things that’s going to help people solve problems. And then they’ll relate that to you as well. Super. Hey, Katie, thank you so much for making time today. I really appreciate it. How can folks find you and reach out to you? Let’s see now, would it be on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and or elsewhere? Yes, for sure. Well, thank you so much for having me. So, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), Katie Lime Cooler, and my website is katielimecooler.com, which is k-a-t-i-e-l-e-i-m-k-u-h-l-e-r.com. So, I’m also on Twitter. So, yeah, people can find me in either of those places. Super. Folks, I hope you enjoyed this. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). What I do is I try and help people find work. I try and help people in their new organizations or in their existing one be more effective. If you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com forward slash IN forward slash [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Once we’re connected, message me. We’ll figure out a time to speak or you may get a response from me before you message me back. Hope you have a great day and thanks for making time. Take care. [***Branding for Blue Collar and Other Workers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1O0) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 1800 episodes, and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) If you have a quick question for me, you can get it answered with a 3-5 minute video at [https://www.wisio.com/TheBigGameHunter](). [Want to do it live](https://thebiggamehunter.us/MeetMe)? [JobSearchCoachingHQ.com](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/JobSearchCoachingHQ) offers great advice for job hunters—videos, my books, and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), podcasts, articles, PLUS a community for you to ask questions of PLUS the ability to ask me questions where I function as your ally with no conflict of interest answering your questions. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). Join and attend my classes on Skillshare. ![JobSearchTV.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Banner-1-300x112.jpg)JobSearchTV.comWatch my videos on YouTube at JobSearchTV.com, the Job SearchTV app for FireTV, Roku or a firestick or BingeNetworks.tv for AppleTV and 90 smart tv platforms. You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” [Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2). It helps other people discover the show as you did. Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** Branding, Networking **Tags:** Branding, Branding and Networking for Digital Pros and Others, Career branding, job search networking, networking --- ### [An Advantage to Having a LinkedIn Premium Account #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/an-advantage-to-having-a-linkedin-premium-account-shorts/) **Published:** July 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Here's another benefit people get by having a LinkedIn Premium account. **Content:** # An Advantage to Having a LinkedIn Premium Account #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/i3MLx_KjaC8) Here’s another benefit people get by having a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Premium account. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn --- ### [Find an Employee to Refer You #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) **Published:** July 9, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Finding an employee to refer you will get you more interviews. **Content:** # Find an Employee to Refer You #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/DQQOa08PzLo) Finding an employee to refer you will get you more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** How to Get More Interviews, #Shorts **Tags:** Find an Employee to Refer You --- ### [Strategies for Beating the Enterprise Filter in Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop wasting time with over-designed templates and learn exactly how to format your resume so an actual human recruiter finally sees it. **Content:** # Strategies for Beating the Enterprise Filter in Taleo **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Major enterprise firms in aerospace, healthcare, and finance aren’t ignoring your job [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) because you lack qualifications. They are ignoring it because your formatting is actively breaking their rigid, legacy [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). Stop wasting time with over-designed templates and learn exactly how to format your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) so an actual human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) finally sees it. If you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to major aerospace, healthcare, or financial firms, you might notice your [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) disappearing into a void. Often, this happens not because you lack the qualifications, but because your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) hits an unyielding enterprise gatekeeper: **Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/)**. Unlike modern [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) that use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to guess your intent (e.g., connecting “cloud” to “SaaS”), [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) operates as a rigid database matrix. It explicitly calculates what you say against a predefined schema. It does not infer related skills. 1. **Structural Baseline: Single-Column Format** This rigidity dictates how it reads your document. If you use a dual-column format, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) reads text strictly from left to right, top to bottom. It stitches line one of column one directly into line one of column two, turning a formatted bio into garbled database noise. - **The Minimum Requirement:** Converting your document into a single-column, plain-text layout. - **The Stakes:** Passing this structural baseline is just table stakes; failing to do so guarantees a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) will never even receive a notification that you applied. 2. **Mirroring Employer Terminology** [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) utilizes a strict pre-screening matrix. If a job description explicitly requires a *Master of Business Administration (MBA)* and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) lists only *MBA*, using that abbreviation can trigger a rejection flag. To earn points, you must mirror the employer’s terminology exactly. When the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) matches the phrasing verbatim, the algorithm registers an acceptance match. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) configure these keywords into two distinct categories: - **Preferred Qualifications:** Missing a preferred skill simply lowers your rank during a search. - **Required Qualifications (Knockout Questions):** Organizations code mandatory requirements—like specific security clearances, professional licenses, or work authorizations—as knockout questions. These act as **automatic disqualifiers**. **Important:** It does not matter how well the rest of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is keyword-optimized if you fail a knockout question. Tailoring your terminology yields zero return if you do not explicitly satisfy those non-negotiable requirements first. They function as the ultimate veto in the enterprise pipeline. 3. **The Recency Multiplier** [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) applies a recency multiplier to your experience. The algorithm heavily prioritizes skills demonstrated in your current or most recent roles. - Keywords mapped to a **recent job** carry a high-value multiplier weight. - Keywords mapped to **older [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)** carry a low-value weight. - Hiding core competencies at the **very bottom of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** gives those terms almost zero scoring value. **Optimization Example** If a job posting requires *Enterprise Data Architecture*, do not list the skill in isolation at the bottom of your page. Instead, integrate it into a recent, specific job bullet point: - **Generic Experience:** *Responsible for managing data projects and team coordination.* - **Targeted Bullet Point:** *Directed **Enterprise Data Architecture** initiatives to improve global logistics efficiency.* Integrating the exact phrase into a specific, recent outcome causes its multiplier score to spike to maximum value. Chronology dictates value in [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/); where a keyword lives on the physical layout of the page is just as important as having it there in the first place. 4. **The Notepad Test** Before you submit your file, you must run the Notepad test: 1. Copy your complex Word or [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) document. 2. Paste it directly into a basic plain-text [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) (like Notepad or TextEdit). 3. Review the text for hidden formatting errors, smashed words, and invisible characters that corrupt the file during parsing. 4. Manually fix any layout issues in the plain-text editor first. 5. Once the text is perfectly clean, save it out as a simple, single-column [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) or Word document. **The Optimization Blueprint** To pass the enterprise filter, follow these three steps: 1. **Use a Single-Column Format:** Stick to a clean, plain-text friendly layout. 2. **Mirror Terminology:** Match the job description’s phrasing verbatim. 3. **Anchor Keywords Recently:** Place core skills in your most recent job descriptions. The objective is not to trick the software. You are simply eliminating parsing friction so your true professional capability is undeniably visible to the human reviewer on the other side of the screen. [***Set Goals, Not Resolutions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2F1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System, Text **Tags:** Strategies for Beating the Enterprise Filter in Taleo --- ### [Setting Priorities for Your Future](https://thebiggamehunter.us/playing-the-decade-game-setting-priorities-for-your-future/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** The decage game is an excellent way to set priorities for your future, **Content:** # Playing the Decade Game: Setting Priorities for Your Future **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** Carolyn Buck Luce has a mile long [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) of achievements and along the way devised The Decade Game, an excellent way to set priorities for your future, and write “[EPIC!: The Women’s Power Play Book” a book with ideas for everyone. https://amzn.to/3kKTdgJ](https://amzn.to/3kKTdgJ) [***Shifting Your Mindset During Your Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eRg) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, my guest today is Carolyn Buck Luce, a gifted strategist, leader and executive coach who spent her [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) building highly effective cultures, businesses, teams, and leaders in private and public [non-profit](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) sectors. A diplomat, a Wall Street banker, a management [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/), there’s a whole list of things she’s done in her [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Now, executive coach, it’s given her unusual and unique perspective on building a hardware operating system for organizations and she served in a variety of capacities, advancing women’s leadership, including a past board chair of the New York Women’s Foundation, a Former Woman of the Year winner by the healthcare Women’s Business Association. She even was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg in New York as a commissioner of New York City’s commission on women’s issues and if you saw the full bio just goes on forever with accomplishments and successes and somehow rather, she managed to work in writing a book, Epic, the women’s power play. I just want to make sure I had this right. The women’s power playbook. Carolyn, welcome. Thanks for your time today. **Carolyn Buck Luce** Well, also, I just have to say, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, because I think those have been my hardest [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** I know as a dad, that’s the hardest job of all. I so admire my wife who’s taken point that her son’s so often and it’s a tough job to say the least. **Carolyn Buck Luce** And never-ending. There is no retirement on that one. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Oh, God. I was hoping. **Carolyn Buck Luce** My mother is 94 and I occasionally ask her when she stopped worrying about me and she looks at me and said, what do you mean stopped? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Amazing. So, folks, we’re going to play a game today and I’m gonna be the player and I’m going to be coached today. So, Carolyn is going to be my coach as we play the decade game and what the heck is the decade game? And how did you come up with this idea? **Carolyn Buck Luce** Well, this is something that came to me when I was eight years old and I want to remember that age because that we’re going to come back to that, Jeff. But it was 1960. It was the middle of the Cold War, the first cold war, for those of you who follow the news, and we were hiding under our desks in elementary school, because of atomic bomb drills or hiding in our lockers as if that would save us and John F. Kennedy was running for president and he said, don’t ask what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country, and I was like, reporting for duty, sir because that’s when I realized it was a purpose larger than myself and then I was no longer a self-contained thing, that I was actually a baby citizen of something bigger and that I needed to answer the call. So, I had to figure out well, so what does that mean? Like, how do I live in my purpose, and the farthest that I could think was 10 years, when I would go to college and be independent leave the home and I began to start imagining what I would study and how I would answer the call and 10 years later, I ended up going to university studying Russian and my first job 21, out of school, was a diplomat in the former Soviet Union, telling American story and trying to spread the Thomson piece. So, I didn’t call it the decade game at the time. But what I learned is number one, it was up to me. Number two, I was part of something bigger. Three, I was called to do whatever my job was and four, it was up to me to figure out what that job was and that was the beginning of the decade game. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And thus, the title of the book Epic. Well, I think of Epic is being incredible, huge, monumental, enormous, and fantastical at once. **Carolyn Buck Luce** It’s all of that and however, we think about Epic, that way as an adjective, bigger than better than greater than all about needing to do something we haven’t done yet. However, the original meaning of Epic, was a long form story, of daring do, daring to do, and daring to be that we think about the epic of Homer or the Odysseus epic. So, a long form story of daring to do and daring to be, which actually means not what you’re going to do in the future. But how you feel about your ability, and what your commitment is, because it turns out, we all were born with the power of the universe inside us and the more we own, that we’re the author of our own epic, and feel that agency. That’s what I mean by Epic. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Fabulous. I’m ready to play if you’re ready to coach. **Carolyn Buck Luce** I am. Okay. So, now, let me just say that I want everyone to know that the decade game is a framework for reimagining what your job is because your job isn’t, what someone’s paying you to do. Your job is what is your becoming. How do you manifest epic and how do you make choices around the right experiences, the right relationships, the right skills, and the right knowledge that you are committed to acquire in order to be able to manifest your epic? So, let’s start by what’s the purpose larger than you? So, I talked about the fact that at 8. I became aware that there was a purpose larger than me around leading in a way that would create a world that works. I think we all had a moment when we first got introduced to our own purpose and interestingly, here’s the hardest question in the world, and probably the most important question of your life, which is why are you here, but we have a hard time answering it. So, our first exercise, Jeff, it missions if you’re willing to accept it is when was that moment for you where you, you realize it was a purpose larger than yourself? And how did you understand it at that time? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** I would say I was in college, I was a political kid and started to work on political campaigns in New York, because I believe people needed help and it’s interesting how fundamentally over time, that’s become an operating system for me, is helping people. So, my initial moments were, I don’t remember which a year of college it was, but kind of kicked in for me when I was there, and starting to work on politics, to try and make a change in the world through campaigns. **Carolyn Buck Luce** So, I’m going to push you a little bit on that because the way I like to define purpose, which is sort of what holds the whole decade game together is what is a particular theory that you have about how the world gets better that you feel, and have always felt called to make your own unique contribution? So, how does the world get better? And there’s lots of different ways the world gets better, kinder, healthier, more just, more equal, more peaceful, really something almost universal like that, where you said, that’s the shift that I’m going to, that’s going to be my life’s work. So, when you talk about political campaigns and wanting to help people, what was it in particular? What was the stuckness, where the world needed to do some shifting that you said, in particular, this is my swim lane. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And what I saw at that time in college, was that most people were trapped in mediocrity and thus, they live quiet lives of desperation to use the famous crowd and they did things good enough, but they really wanted to be left alone. They were conditioned to be ordinary and mediocre, and not to aspire and where they still aspired was about being better employees, which I kind of learned. I think I knew it for the longest time. But most people were trained in school to shut up and do what they were told to do. Regurgitate a bunch of facts when you were told to do it, or else and that or else, of course, translates into when you’re in school, you’re not going to get to a good college. When in college it progresses to you’re not going to get the good job and when you get the good job or a job, you wind up in a situation where you still have to do it or else you’re gonna get [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) and it was living with these constant and perpetual fears imposed, that caused people to be small, and I want to help people break out of that and now I have language to it, but I didn’t at that time. **Carolyn Buck Luce** So, that’s the thing about purpose. You don’t have language. Your language gets more sophisticated as you actually get wiser about how the world works. But the instinct was there. So, what I’m hearing from you, and sort of shorthand is for you, the world got better when people trusted their epic. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** I’ve to use your term. Yes. **Carolyn Buck Luce** Why not? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** No reason I can think of. **Carolyn Buck Luce** And you’ll have your own language. But that purpose actually becomes your life’s work. So, no matter and you might be temporarily out of a product, but you’re never out of a job. Once you know that, that your life’s work is to help people find interest their epic. That makes sense? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Yes, it does and I want to translate this for the audience and say, what Carolyn has helped me do is to go back in time, and start in an earlier age, and with my first awareness of what I now call be the desire to help people be great. She calls epic and in doing that, how it’s surfaced, and you’ll notice, she prodded me a little bit more texture, in order to explore and I’m doing this because you can engage in your own process, with support with a book with the mydecadegame.com Am I right about that? **Carolyn Buck Luce** That’s it. [***Staying Relevant***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-enx) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And be able to, to engage in your own version of self-discovery and start this process off for yourself and it’s better working with someone. Let’s continue. **Carolyn Buck Luce** So, what we’ve just established is your life’s work, which should feel liberating to know that if you look back in history, all of your, [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) have been in service of your life’s work. So, to actually know what your life’s work is, is very helpful as you think about which mission you’re going to take on at any time which is the how are you going to manifest that particular life work at that particular time. So, let’s go to the next exercise because I said your job is not what people are paying you to do. Your job is who you are becoming and that’s the objective of the decade game. The objective is to say 10 years from now wouldn’t it be cool if I knew myself, and was known by the people who love me? And the people who count on me, as and then you fill in the blank. Now, do you remember the game Mad Libs? Do you ever play Mad Libs? Okay, so mad libs is you get a story. But it would have some blanks in it and it would just tell you put a noun in here, or put an adjective in here or put a verb in here. You’d come out with outrageous ideas, and it would totally change the story because I said earlier, we are the actual author of our own story, except a lot of us have stories in our head, that compress us, contain us stories of I’m not good enough imposter syndrome or I’m too much, I better dim it down. I better not really share what’s really inside. I better pretend all those types of things. So, the objective of the game is to actually come up with your future job title by answering the question, wouldn’t it be cool if I knew myself, meaning a leader at home. This home, your heart home. If I knew myself known by the people I love, which is your family, the one-on-one relationships that you love, and known by the people who count on me, which is the world because I believe all of our [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are to be the leader we longed to be at home at work and then the world in service of that big purpose. Okay, so now here’s the mad lib, you have to answer that question. Wouldn’t it be cool if I knew myself and was known by the people who love me and count on me as. Now, you have to pick a great adjective and iconic sub subject, a compelling verb, a targeted object, and an epic outcome. Now, I’m gonna say that again, and I’m going to give you an example. You have to come up with a great juicy adjectives in a super heroes subject, a compelling verb, a targeted object, and an epic outcome. So, for example, at 60, I had mandatory retirement from my partnership at EY. I was the Global Healthcare Leader. I built a billion-dollar business for EY, which is a professional services firm. But we had mandatory retirement at 60. So, I needed to set my game for 70 because by the way, I believe that every decade is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) decade yet, but you’re responsible for building it and so I set my mad lib, my new job title this way, at 70 and by the way, I turned 70 four months ago, at 70, it’s going to be so cool, because everyone’s going to know me, myself, the people who love me and the people who count on me as an organizational shaman, inspiring humans to live epic lives. So, that became my job title at 60 and then all of a sudden, I have a new job. Not what they were paying me to do but what I was going to say yes to in terms of experiences, knowledge, networks, skills, etc. So, now it’s how old will you be in a decade? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Well, I’m currently, folks, you may not know this, I’m 72. So, in a decade, let’s work with the whole numbers. **Carolyn Buck Luce** All right. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, by the time I’m 80. **Carolyn Buck Luce** Yes, you will answer the question, how will I know myself, and be known by the people who love me, and the people who count on me as adjective, noun, verb, object, epic outcome, and make it as epic as possible. It would have to take you 10 years to be known this way. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, by the time I’m 80 the people I know and love, and everyone around me and beyond, well know me as being a bold and blessing leader, who inspires people to be great. How’s that? **Carolyn Buck Luce** Great. Now, I will bold and blessing leader. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Who inspires people to be great. **Carolyn Buck Luce** Now, I’m going to push you a little bit **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Good. That’s the idea folks. **Carolyn Buck Luce** My bet is you’re already known that way and it wouldn’t take so I’m looking for an exponential shift. Meaning what’s the work you haven’t yet done? This is a job, you’re gonna get promoted. What’s the work you haven’t yet done? If you were going to goose that up? And one of the things I say to my participants in the decade game masterclass is, this new job title should make you giggle. It should like Oh, my God. Yeah, that would be unbelievably cool. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, the terms I would add in are a globally recognized as a bold and blessing leader who inspires people to be great. So, the extra piece involves the visibility and it’s exponentially larger. [***Branding Your Relevance***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iec) **Carolyn Buck Luce** So, you’re getting warmer and warmer, Marco Polo, because one of the things and I’ll explain this in a second. I actually ask people to look at every word they choose that adjective, the noun, the subject, the verb, etc and goose each one up, and let me tell you why. The way you play the game is it turns out that there’s 87,600 hours in the decade and if you sleep eight hours a night which I would definitely recommend, if you want to look like either you will be at our ages. That leaves [over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/),000 hours and theoretically, it only takes 10,000 hours to become a world [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/). So, you can become a world [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) in five different areas of your life and those five areas in the decade game are outlined. 10,000 hours around your spiritual journey, your sense of self, the real stories that you tell yourself, the stories, you’re going to let go of. 10,000 hours in your relationship with the people you love because somehow, for some reason, it’s the hardest to be our [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) self with the people we love most and there’s 30,000 hours divided into three different areas of right relationship with the world and only 10,000 of that is whatever they’re paying you for. Another 10,000 is learning for the love of learning and the last 10,000 is your gifts of yourself into the community and your actual job is to be the CEO, the Chief Experience Officer, and the CIO, the Chief Investment Officer of your talents, your trust your time, and your treasures and so that’s the job is you’ve got 50,000 hours to invest, plus talents, trust and treasures and that would allow you to get to a whole new level of epic for each one of those words. So, that’s what I want you to work on is each one should be epic. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** So, globally recognized, sorry, I have to work with two there. **Carolyn Buck Luce** That’s okay. That’s okay. You know, iteration. This is all about design thinking and if you iterate seven times in design thinking you’ll get to 1000 times better answer. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Okay. Globally recognized. Seen. That’s the simplest, simplest way I can distill it. The word global is redundant. So, it although on first blush, it seems more accurate to say globally recognized, but to [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) and accepted as a bold and blessing leader, I don’t have a better word than bold. I’ve spent years coming to that word because bold in US culture, and homogenized, this is the convention US culture and I don’t want to be homogenized, pasteurized, or anything else. I want to be bold. **Carolyn Buck Luce** someone who loves the word epic. So, I’m just gonna, you know, in the book, I actually give people a bunch of words to inspire them. But so for example, you say leader. I like playing with words like changemaker, shapeshifter, things that are iconic. So, I’ll give you an example. I also like coming up with new words, because when you think about it, probably half the job titles that exists today didn’t exist 10 years ago. It’s gonna be the same thing in the future. So, for example, let me give you my decade game for AD, because I just created that game. Wouldn’t it be cool if I knew myself and was known by the people who love me and the people who count on me as intergenerational restorer naming the dances that are longing to happen. Intergenerational restorer naming the dances that are longing to happen. Now, do I really know what that means? No. Do I really know what organizational shaman meant? No. However, once you’re able to, and here’s the thing about the decade game, you’re not playing it in the future. This is a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). You’re playing it right now. So, for example, as soon as at 60, when I said I’m the organizational shaman, inspiring humans live epic lives. A week later, I got remarried. So, I retired from EY, I got remarried and instead of choosing to go to a beach for our honeymoon, my husband I chose to climb Kilimanjaro. Now, I’ve never met a shaman, but I’m thinking, I don’t think a shaman would go to a beach in Fiji. Like so what would a shaman who wants to inspire Epic do? So, all of a sudden, you begin to look at your choices differently. You begin to look at what are the experiences I need to have, what are the things I want to learn? Who do I want to learn with? And from and those become the choices that guide your decisions. So, that’s why it’s, do I know what a restore your is yet? No. But I know that I have a gift, which is to see the dances that are longing to happen in people. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** That is beautiful. That is beautiful and there’s so much more I can go into here and I want to go a little bit further with me as a model because you spoke about intergenerational, which has been part of my work the last couple of years, recognizing that part of my job is legacy and what I leave behind and connecting with those younger as a resource, not to tell them what to do, but being the trusting advisor for them, or trusted advisor for them, of who they feel they can come to. So, I get that piece in my way. Your way can be very different because that word intergenerational really hit with me. **Carolyn Buck Luce** And let me just say, in order to sort of take the pressure off. Everything doesn’t have to be in that decade destination. I mentioned that you’ve got 50,000 hours and so the real part of the game is once you name your purpose, your life’s work and once you give yourself an evocative epic, giggly, juicy job title, then you’ve got, you’ll see in, as you read the book, there are five pillars that hold up this temple and those pillars each are game within the game and you get a chance to name each of the pillars as well. So, for example, well, let’s talk about my 70 to 80 game. I’ve named my learning pillar, which is one of the five pillars that I’m going to put 10,000 hours into, the wisdom of the ages. Now, I don’t know what that means, either. But what I know is that I’m going to spend 10,000 hours being curious about what does Why mean, when you’re five? What’s likely to happen when you’re 10? What about when I’m my mother who’s 95? So, to be curious about the wisdom of the ages, including ancestral wisdom, and future generational wisdom, in order to be an evolutionary leader for the epic, EPOCH that relief that we’re entering into. So, you don’t have to get everything right, in terms of the decade because you have five other games within the game to play, to come up with something juicy and evocative. So, for example, I think you have to read the book to actually construct the entire game. But I just wanted to take some pressure off. So, there you go. You have an opportunity to be able to really think about the different areas of your life in order to name each of those games around what’s the real work now, because again, your job isn’t what someone’s paying you to do and by the way, I’ve used the decade game as have many in actually doing job searching because the being able to know that your story is really important because every company has a story of what they’re leaning into. Think about it. Every company has a vision statement of how the world gets better, in a way they want to contribute in a unique way. So, for example, I work with healthcare companies. Well, every healthcare company has the same vision to make the world healthier, but their decade mission about how they’re going to contribute to that is unique to them. So, to be able to know how to actually [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) the interviewer, to be able to have a conversation about the company purpose, the team purpose, that leaders purpose and then what’s their mission? Like, what do they need to get accomplished in the next 10 years, it will be transformative, and then share why you’re there. It’s a whole different way. There’s so much of job searching and job [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), as you know, is people talk about what they did in the past. But people [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) based on the future. Can they see you in their story? Will you be a hero and make them a hero or heroine in their story? So, I use this framework in lots of different ways. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** This is fabulous. I have to say that, is there anything we haven’t covered yet that we really should, given this time that we have available? **Carolyn Buck Luce** Yes, I’m going to do one more exercise that everyone can do, and it takes just a second. Forget the whole framework, forgot all of that. When you feel anxious, compressed, angry, resigned, or exhausted, it means you’re playing someone else’s game, and you’re not out of your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). As soon as you’re aware of that you might not know what to do, but I’m going to help you figure out how to get back into your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). So, here’s the exercise. Come up with an acronym for an adjective that starts with E, an adjective that starts with P, an adjective that starts with I, and an adjective that starts with C, an epic acronym, that destruct that describes you, when you are feeling fully in your power, connected to your purpose when you are in flow. So, for example, my epic acronym is empathetic, passionate, innovative, and courageous. So, anytime, when I’m aware that I’m playing someone else’s game, I shut my eyes. Breathe deeply and think empathetic, passionate, innovators, and courageous and I can find that [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) and when I do, I always make better decisions for myself, and anyone else who’s in the room. So, that’s how you play the game second by second. So, what is your epic acronym when you really are in flow in your power, in integrity, in your center, on purpose? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Energetic, I’m going to play here, folks. **\[Inaudible 38:03\].** Well, I’m actually doing this Ph because it’s the rebellious side of me. I, Independent and Courageous. **Carolyn Buck Luce** Well, I love that we both have courageous because it’s my favorite word. It comes from the root, core heart and it means to go forward with your heart in your mouth, at times a doubt, fear and uncertainty and boy, the world needs courageous humans. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And we don’t need people who are transformational, because that translates in most businesses, homogenized, commoditized, and all sorts of all the rough edges have been shaved off as though someone took a plane out and file them off. We need greatness. We need epic people in order to make the world as it should be. **Carolyn Buck Luce** And that is sort of the essence of the game, which is how do you know that you actually that there’s no one on earth that’s ever walk that has the same fingerprint is you that has the same voice timbre as you or the same eye pigmentation, which is why face technology and voice technology work. So, what does that mean? It means no one can do what you can do. No one can see what you can see the way you see it and no one can speak the truth the way you can and that’s a call for epic because we each are we are unique and we all have been called for some purpose larger than ourselves and you are the author of that story of your epic. [***What Are Your Goals? What is Your Strategy?*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-23L) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** And if you’re job searching, you want to join an organization that can see you and accept these qualities in you. Otherwise, we’re back to homogenized and pasteurized and commoditized. **Carolyn Buck Luce** Absolutely. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** This has been a lot of fun and there’s so much more in the book. How can people find out more about the book the decade game, everything. **Carolyn Buck Luce** So, you can go to [**mydecadegame.com**](http://mydecadegame.com) and I do two-decade game master classes every year. You can find out more about that. You can go to [**epicwomensplaybook.com**](http://epicwomensplaybook.com). You can buy the book and give it to all the people you love on either Amazon or Barnes and Noble or Walmart or anything like that and you can always write to me at Carolyn. [**Carolyn@mydecadegame.com**](mailto:Carolyn@mydecadegame.com) and I promise I’ll answer you. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** Beautiful. Thanks so much for making time today and folks, we’ll be back soon with more. I’ve got my coach hat back on. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you enjoyed today’s show. If you did and you’re watching a YouTube share, leave a comment click the light button, do something that lets people know it was worthwhile. I also want to encourage you to visit my website [**thebiggamehunter.US**](http://thebiggamehunter.US). You can find a ton of great information the blog, schedule time for a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session with me. Find out about my courses, books, and guides a lot there to help and lastly, connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [**linkedin.com\\In\\thebiggamehunter**](http://linkedin.com\In\thebiggamehunter) and I’ll tell you point blank will get a lot of no BS [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) from me. Hope you have a terrific day folks and most importantly, be great. Take care. [***Set Goals, Not Resolutions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2F1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Leadership **Tags:** Carolyn Buck Luce, EPIC, Goal Setting, priority setting, Setting goals, setting priorities --- ### [Make Employers Want You: Beyond Basic Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/make-employers-want-you-beyond-basic-career-advice/) **Published:** July 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Becoming desirable to employers is not about chasing job postings or tweaking a résumé endlessly. **Content:** # Make Employers Want You: Beyond Basic Career Advice **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Becoming desirable to employers is not about chasing job postings or tweaking a résumé endlessly. It is about positioning yourself as a solution to problems organizations already have—and doing it in a way that is visible, credible, and easy to understand. After decades in recruiting and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching, I can tell you that most job hunters focus on the wrong things. They polish documents when they should be shaping perception. Here are practical, less-obvious ways to make yourself someone employers actively want. 1. Think in terms of business problems, not job titles Employers do not hire “Marketing Managers” or “Project Leads.” They hire people who can increase revenue, reduce costs, improve systems, or fix something broken. Study the business model of your target companies and align your experience with their likely pain points. 2. Build a “proof portfolio,” not just a résumé A résumé makes claims. A proof portfolio demonstrates them. Include short case studies, before-and-after metrics, presentations, or screenshots of your work. Even in non-creative roles, you can show process improvements, cost savings, or team outcomes. Example: Instead of saying “Improved customer satisfaction,” show a one-page summary of what you did, the steps you took, and the measurable result. 3. Become findable before you become available The best candidates are often discovered, not applied. Optimize your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/) profile and other platforms for search by including keywords [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) ![Becoming Desirable to Top Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Becoming-Desirable-to-Top-Employers.png)actually use. But go beyond that—publish insights, comment intelligently, and demonstrate your thinking. Visibility builds credibility over time. 4. Speak the language of money Most professionals talk about tasks. Employers care about impact. Translate everything you’ve done into financial or operational terms—revenue generated, costs reduced, time saved, risks avoided. If you cannot quantify exactly, estimate conservatively and explain your reasoning. 5. Develop a point of view Employers are drawn to people who think, not just execute. Share your perspective on trends in your field, challenges in your industry, or better ways to do things. This signals seniority and confidence—even if you are not in a senior role. 6. Network with a purpose beyond “looking” Most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-the-three-second-rule-of-networking/) is ineffective because it is transactional. Instead, build relationships around shared interests, industry discussions, or mutual connections. [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/) insight, introductions, or resources. When people see you as valuable, they will think of you when opportunities arise. 7. Target companies, not just roles Create a focused list of organizations where your skills solve real problems. Study them. Follow their leadership. Understand their challenges. Then tailor your outreach and positioning accordingly. Generic [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-hate-applications-2/) are easy to ignore; targeted communication is not. 8. Control your narrative If you do not define your story, others will. Be ready to clearly explain who you are professionally, what you do best, and where you create the most value. This is not a “pitch” but a consistent narrative that appears in your résumé, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/), and conversations. 9. Show adaptability with evidence Everyone claims to be adaptable. Few prove it. Highlight moments where you learned something quickly, shifted roles, handled ambiguity, or succeeded in a changing environment. Employers value [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/), especially in uncertain markets. 10. Use “back-channel” intelligence Before [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), gather insight about the company, team, and interviewer. Use your network to learn what is really going on internally. This allows you to tailor your answers and ask sharper questions. It also demonstrates preparation and seriousness. 11. Make it easy to say “yes” Hiring is a risk decision. Reduce perceived risk by being clear, consistent, and professional in every interaction. Respond promptly, follow instructions, and communicate clearly. Small details influence hiring decisions more than most candidates realize. 12. Continue building while searching Do not pause your professional growth during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Take a course, complete a project, volunteer your skills, or create content. Momentum signals value. Stagnation raises questions. 13. Prepare stories, not answers Interviewers remember stories, not bullet points. Use concise narratives that describe the situation, your actions, and the outcome. Focus on decisions you made and why. This reveals how you think, not just what you did. 14. Be selective and intentional Desirability increases when you are not chasing everything. Focus on roles and companies where you truly fit and can contribute. This allows you to present yourself with clarity and confidence rather than desperation. Ultimately, becoming desirable is about alignment and visibility. You must align your skills with real business needs and make that alignment visible to the right people. When you do this effectively, the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shifts from chasing opportunities to attracting them. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data. **Categories:** Become Desirable to Employers, Text **Tags:** Make Employers Want You: Beyond Basic Career Advice --- ### [4 AI Job Search Tools](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-ai-job-search-tools/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Four AI tools that will help you with different stages of your job search. By the way, I don't receive any money if you wind up using any of the suggestions. **Content:** # 4 AI Job Search Tools **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Four [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools that will help you with different stages of your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). By the way, I don’t receive any money if you wind up using any of the suggestions. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** 4 AI Job Search Tools --- ### [How to Build Your LinkedIn Network Fast #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** It is really very easy to build your LinkedIn network fast. **Content:** # How to Build Your LinkedIn Network Fast? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/3972-2aAolk) It is really very easy to build your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) network fast. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn, Networking **Tags:** How to Build Your LinkedIn Network Fast? --- ### [Small Firms, Big Impact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/small-firms-big-impact/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3152 Big companies use automated walls to turn talented people into numbers, but small firms are starving for the high-level systems and AI expertise **Content:** # Small Firms, Big Impact **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3152 Big companies use automated walls to turn talented people into numbers, but small firms are starving for the high-level systems and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) expertise you already possess. This episode shows you how to pivot your strategy to a field where you aren’t just an applicant—you’re the [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) they’ve been waiting for. Timestamps - **00:00** – The Reality of the Modern [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) - **00:37** – Section 1: The Big Company Wall - **01:10** – Why Large Firms Filter You Out (It’s Not Personal) - **01:33** – Section 2: Shifting Your Target to a New Playing Field - **02:04** – Section 3: Identifying Your Untapped Value - **02:34** – Converting Corporate Skills into Small Business Superpowers - **03:01** – Section 4: Finding the Welcome You Actually Deserve - **03:30** – The One Question That Changes [Your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) Path ***[Working for Companies: Insights and Stories for Professionals Who Want to Work in Industry](https://amzn.to/4tsNk6t)*** Okay, let’s talk about the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). If you’re feeling stuck, just sending [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) out into the void and hearing nothing back from the big companies, then this is for you. We’re about to flip the script on that whole strategy and show you how to go from just another applicant to an absolute game changer. I mean, does this question even need to be asked? It probably hits pretty close to home for a lot of you. It’s so common. You pour all this time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into landing that dream job at some huge well-known corporation and all you get back is silence. It’s so frustrating. But listen, what if the problem isn’t you? What if you’re just playing on the wrong field? Let’s just name it. We’ll call it the big company wall because that’s what it feels like, right? A massive impossible barrier. And you know, understanding what that wall is made of is the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) to finding a way around it. You know the drill. You find a job posting, you spent hours, maybe days tweaking your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and writing that perfect [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). You hit submit, you feel a little spark of hope and then nothing. Or maybe you get that cold automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) email weeks later. It’s an exhausting cycle that honestly says very little about your actual talent. So why is this happening? Well, at these huge firms, the competition is just fierce. You’re not up against a handful of people, you’re up against thousands. So they build these walls, right? Automated systems, super rigid requirements, things that filter you out because you didn’t use the exact right keyword. It’s not personal, but that’s the problem. You end up feeling like just a number, another [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in the pile. But here’s the really good news. There’s another game you can play, a totally different field where the rules are actually stacked in your favor. So it’s time. Let’s stop running headfirst into that wall and start looking for the wide open gate. So you have two choices. There’s the common path, that laser focus on the big guys where you’re one of thousands. And then there’s the strategic pivot. This is where you deliberately turn your attention to small and mid-sized companies. Now, this is not about lowering your standards at all. It’s about raising your impact and your odds. [***Crisis Incorporated: So You Want to Work for a Small Company***](https://amzn.to/4ty7RGE) And this is where it gets really interesting. The key to this whole thing is understanding your own value in this new context. It’s all about recognizing something we’ll call your untapped value. So what is this untapped value? Well, it’s all the skills and experience you have that might feel kind of normal, even basic in a big corporate setting. But guess what? In a smaller company, those same skills can be incredibly rare and super valuable. You’re bringing them a way of thinking that they desperately need, but probably don’t have. Seriously, just think about it. Those structured processes you learned at a big company, that’s like a superpower to a scrappy growing team. You could introduce a simple project management tool that completely changes how they work. Your experience with systems that are built to scale could save them from making huge, costly [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) later on. And your exposure at [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), you could be the one to bring in a tool that literally doubles what their tiny marketing team can do. See, you’re not just another candidate. You’re the [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) they’ve been waiting for. And this isn’t just some cold, calculated [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move. It’s also about finding a place where you’re actually appreciated. It’s about getting the welcome you truly deserve. I really love this [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), because it gets to the heart of it. It’s not just that a smaller company will [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. They will love you for what you bring. Instead of being employee number 47,832, you become a key player. Your ideas are heard, your contributions are seen, and you can feel the impact you’re making every single day. So let’s leave it with this thought. The next time you sit down to look for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), I want you to ask yourself a different question. Stop asking, which big company might [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me? Instead, ask yourself this, where could my skills make the biggest impact? The answer to that question might just change everything. ### [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). 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You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. *[**A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing**](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0)* ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Small Firms Big Impact --- ### [Job Hunting is Hard. Quitting is Easy. Success is Earned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Every week, I speak with people who feel like giving up on their job search. **Content:** # Job Hunting is Hard. Quitting is Easy. Success is Earned **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Every week, I speak with people who feel like [giving up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) on their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). They’ve been ghosted. They’ve had 1st [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) that went nowhere. They’ve rewritten their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) six times and still feel invisible. Here’s the truth: The [job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-state-of-the-job-market-job-searching-and-much-more-jobsearchtv-com/) doesn’t care how good you are. It cares how well you communicate your value — and how consistent you are in getting that message out. Let me say it plainly: Most of you are not failing because you’re not good enough. You’re stuck because you’re frustrated, tired, and maybe a little lost. Want the secret to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) success? Outlast the process. Outlearn your [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Outsmart your competition. You [don’t need](https://thebiggamehunter.us/we-dont-need-lectures-career-angles/) to be perfect. You need to stay in the game one more day than most people are willing to. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because I make [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) easier. You won’t land your next job by [quitting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) on yourself or [giving up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/). 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Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2025 ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Mistakes, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Job Hunting is Hard. Quitting is Easy. Success is Earned --- ### [The AI Implementation Boom](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-ai-implementation-boom/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3151 The era of researching AI in a lab is over **Content:** # The AI Implementation Boom **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3151 The era of researching [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) in a lab is over; businesses are now [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people who can actually deploy it into messy, legacy environments. If you are stuck in entry-level IT or basic coding, you’re missing the 56% wage premium currently paid to implementation specialists who know how to solve real organizational bottlenecks. **Timestamps** - **00:00** – The Shift: Moving from [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) to industry-wide deployment. - **00:30** – The Data: Why entry-level coding roles dropped 35% while mid-level roles dominate. - **01:04** – The $162,000 Reality: Identifying where the massive wage premiums are hiding. - **02:05** – **The Tech Pivoter:** Transitioning from boilerplate syntax to MLOps and RAG deployment. - **03:19** – **The Domain [Expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/):** Using industry knowledge in Marketing and Finance to lead [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) governance. - **03:50** – Change Management: Why human alignment is harder than setting up the software. - **04:33** – **The Junior Hustler:** How to beat the 73% drop in entry-level [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) with portfolio projects. - **05:33** – The Senior Toolkit: Validating your skills through systems fluency and leadership. - **06:21** – The 2026 Market: Why [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is now a capability layer added to every sector of the economy. This is No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, episode 3151. For years, the standard advice was to learn to code. But the tech industry has moved past the phase of researching new [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) models in a lab. Resources have shifted toward deploying existing technology into the day-to-day operations of every other industry. This shift has immediate consequences for anyone in a traditional entry-level IT or basic coding role. Job postings in those categories have dropped by 35% as the routine work they once handled is now being automated. While the demand for researchers has stabilized, 75% of new [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) positions are now mid-level roles. These [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) focus on the complex work of integration rather than model creation. 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Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** The AI Implementation Boom --- ### [How to Write a Resume That Proves Your Return on Investment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-write-a-resume-that-proves-your-return-on-investment/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn how to transform your experience into an investment prospectus that forces employers to see you as an asset they can't afford to miss. **Content:** # How to Write a Resume That Proves Your Return on Investment **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers don’t look at your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and see potential—they see a massive financial risk. If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) reads like a historical biography of daily chores, you are positioning yourself as an administrative cost to be minimized. Learn how to transform your experience into an investment prospectus that forces [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to see you as an asset they can’t afford to miss. When a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager looks at a stack of [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), they aren’t seeing opportunities. They are looking at a stack of financial liabilities. Bringing you on board requires a serious commitment of capital. The company pays your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), funds your benefits, provides physical desk space, and covers administrative overhead. In the language of business, you are an operational expense. Unless you provide concrete evidence that you can generate a return on that required capital, the business will treat you as an administrative cost. And in business, costs are meant to be minimized. Most job seekers unknowingly reinforce this fear. They write their [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) as historical biographies, detailing a long list of their daily duties. Take a standard bullet point: “Managed a five million dollar budget.” To candidates, this sounds like leadership. But watch when an executive reads it. They translate that phrase into liability, seeing someone who spends capital and consumes headcount, highlighting costs without justifying expenses. Listing tasks only proves what a previous job required. It offers no evidence that you actually performed those tasks well. A long list of duties fails to answer the only question an employer actually cares about: what measurable difference occurred because you were in the room? To escape this [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), you have to restructure your professional history. You are no longer writing a biography; you are writing an investment prospectus. Adopting an executive mindset means the entire goal of your document shifts. You are presenting an evidence-based case for a predictable future return on investment. The [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) is a linguistic shift. Erase the word “responsibility” and replace the concept with “capital allocation.” Here is the flawed starting point: “Responsible for a $12M budget and 45-person team.” Now, the allocation approach: “Allocated $12M across channels, optimizing 45 people to drive a 34% increase in value, while reducing costs by 18%.” This framework proves you act as an operational lever, dedicated to protecting and expanding the business’s bottom line. Hard financial metrics are easy to quantify, but this rule applies to soft skills too. Vague traits like being a team player hold zero market value without evidence. To turn soft skills into hard outcomes, you need a specific formula: take the skill, apply it to a business [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), and state the measured value it created. Instead of saying you are a good communicator, you write that you reduced deployment time by 30% through cross-functional alignment. The skill is now tied to a result. These same principles apply when you step off the page and into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) room, especially when faced with the open-ended prompt, “Tell me about yourself.” Candidates frequently fail here by describing their process. They say, “I managed projects,” or “I coordinated teams,” but never mention the impact. To prove process and outcome simultaneously, use the STAR method. You describe the situation, the task, the action you took, and crucially, the result. Whether they are reading a bullet point or listening to your answer across a desk, the employer is scanning for undeniable evidence that a problem was solved or a process was accelerated. When you scrub out the corporate fluff and anchor your professional history entirely in KPIs and capital allocation, the effect compounds. It forces a psychological shift in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. They stop viewing you as a risk to be mitigated and start viewing you as a scarce resource they need to acquire. This framing alters the power dynamic of the negotiation. Because your value is now tied to revenue or efficiency, you anchor the discussion in a higher compensation range from the start. Proving a high-yield return changes the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) logic. You cease to be a replaceable employee and instead function as an asset that a leadership team is eager to allocate capital toward. To master these techniques and take control of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), visit jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get direct [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). You’ll also find video courses, books, guides, and individual products or services available a la carte to help you with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). If this breakdown helped you rethink your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), share the video, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel. Thanks for watching. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** How to Write a Resume That Proves Your Return on Investment --- ### [2 Mistakes Job Hunters Make](https://thebiggamehunter.us/2-mistakes-job-hunters-make/) **Published:** July 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What are some mistakes job hunters make? **Content:** # 2 Mistakes Job Hunters Make **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** What are some [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) job hunters make? ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** 2 Mistakes Job Hunters Make --- ### [Your Highest-Leverage Network](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-highest-leverage-network/) **Published:** July 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Your Highest-Leverage Network **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You already know the front door of a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-visual-proof-to-bypass-ats-parsing-software-and-screeners/) to a Job board or corporate portal, you are letting a machine dictate your market value. But most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) advice tells you to use your first-degree connections–hitting up close friends, old colleagues, or university alumni for a favor. Unfortunately, your direct network is a finite, exhausted resource. They either don’t have open headcount or they are competing for the same pool of roles you are tracking. To break through, you have to look just past them. You must master the **Second-Degree Bridge**. Your second-level connections on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/), the people who know the people you know, represent the largest, most underutilized goldmine in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) transition. According to structural [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) data, the vast majority of professional opportunities are uncovered through these “weak ties.” Why? Because your close contacts run in the same circles you do; they have the same information you do. Your second-degree connections bridge you into entirely new ecosystems, companies, and hidden boardrooms. Recently, I discussed **The [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) Pivot**, breaking down how to package your background to sell transformations instead of hours. Today, we look at the exact mechanics of using your first-degree network as a high-leverage mapping engine to unlock the decision-makers sitting just one step away. ### 1. The Portfolio Scan: Intentional Reconnaissance Most professionals scroll their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) feed passively. When they hunt for work, they search for companies, see an open role, see if they have a mutual connection, or just apply to the ad. This is a reactive, low-leverage posture. You need to flip the process. You perform the reconnaissance *before* there is an active job opening. Instead of searching for open [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/), use LinkedIn’s advanced filters to search your **Second-Degree Network**. Filter by your target industry, location, and specific leadership seniority titles (e.g., “Chief Operating Officer,” “VP of Infrastructure,” or “Managing Director”). When you hit search, you will see a list of premium decision-makers who are exactly one introduction away from you. Next to each name, look at the mutual connection. Do not reach out to the decision-maker directly yet. Your first step is evaluating the connection bridge. ### 2. The Low-Friction Referral Protocol Once you isolate a target second-degree decision-maker, look at the first-degree contact who connects you. The conventional, low-leverage move is to message your contact and say, *“Hey, I see you know Sarah at Acme Corp. Do you mind introducing us so I can ask her about open roles?”* This fails because it places a massive cognitive and social burden on your contact. They have to figure out what to say, look up Sarah’s information, and risk their own professional capital on an ambiguous request. You have to eliminate 100% of the friction for your first-degree connection by using a forwardable email protocol. Write a message that your contact can simply copy, paste, and forward to the target with zero modifications. The architecture of a high-leverage forwardable note relies on a specific value hook: > *“Hi \[First-Degree Contact\], I noticed you’re connected with Sarah over at Acme Corp. I’ve been tracking their current regional logistics integration, and having run a parallel database restructuring at my last firm, I put together a brief, 1-page operational checklist on how we insulated our margins against data drag during the cutover. I’d love to drop the notes over to her team, completely no strings attached. Would you be open to forwarding the brief note below to her? I’ve kept it short to save you the typing.”* > > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ ### 3. The Human Hand-Off Below that introductory note to your contact, insert the exact clinical message meant for the second-degree executive. Keep it entirely peer-level and focused purely on a live organizational friction point: > *“Sarah — I saw we have a mutual contact in \[First-Degree Name\]. I’ve been following your team’s expansion into mid-market enterprise integration this quarter. Having navigated that transition previously, I’ve noticed that legacy inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the infrastructure teams aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief framework on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag. No strings attached. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* When your mutual contact receives this, they see a highly professional, clinical asset. They don’t feel like they are helping an unemployed applicant beg for a job; they feel like an elite matchmaker introducing two peers to solve a live business liability. ### The Bottom Line Your primary network is your launching pad; your secondary network is where the actual market capital lives. Stop exhausting your closest professional relationships by asking for generic favors or [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/use-visual-proof-to-bypass-ats-parsing-software-and-screeners/) shares. Treat your first-degree connections as strategic advisors who hold the keys to the next room. Map the secondary tier, isolate the critical friction points of those target leaders, and deploy high-leverage forwardable assets. That is how you bypass the software, skip the line, and let your competence pull the right opportunities straight to your inbox. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking, LinkedIn **Tags:** Your Highest-Leverage Network --- ### [No BS Career Advice: July 5, 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: July 5, 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Your reputation](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Your-reputation-1024x1024.png) Hot weather and I do not get along. Even so last evening I went to see a performance of “The Taming of the Shrew” in town. What a delight! I haven’t seen it in so many years, and even though these are amateurs performing in public, what a lovely experience it was. . . Although the fireworks in the background made it a little complicated ## Your Highest-Leverage Network **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You already know the front door of a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to a Job board or corporate portal, you are letting a machine dictate your market value. But most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to use your first-degree connections–hitting up close friends, old colleagues, or university alumni for a favor. Unfortunately, your direct network is a finite, exhausted resource. They either don’t have open headcount or they are competing for the same pool of roles you are tracking. To break through, you have to look just past them. You must master the **Second-Degree Bridge**. Your second-level connections on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), the people who know the people you know, represent the largest, most underutilized goldmine in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) transition. According to structural [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) data, the vast majority of professional opportunities are uncovered through these “weak ties.” Why? Because your close contacts run in the same circles you do; they have the same information you do. Your second-degree connections bridge you into entirely new ecosystems, companies, and hidden boardrooms. Recently, I discussed **The [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Pivot**, breaking down how to package your background to sell transformations instead of hours. Today, we look at the exact mechanics of using your first-degree network as a high-leverage mapping engine to unlock the decision-makers sitting just one step away. ### 1. The Portfolio Scan: Intentional Reconnaissance Most professionals scroll their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) feed passively. When they hunt for work, they search for companies, see an open role, see if they have a mutual connection, or just apply to the ad. This is a reactive, low-leverage posture. You need to flip the process. You perform the reconnaissance *before* there is an active job opening. Instead of searching for open [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), use LinkedIn’s advanced filters to search your **Second-Degree Network**. Filter by your target industry, location, and specific leadership seniority titles (e.g., “Chief Operating Officer,” “VP of Infrastructure,” or “Managing Director”). When you hit search, you will see a list of premium decision-makers who are exactly one introduction away from you. Next to each name, look at the mutual connection. Do not reach out to the decision-maker directly yet. Your [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) is evaluating the connection bridge. ### 2. The Low-Friction Referral Protocol Once you isolate a target second-degree decision-maker, look at the first-degree contact who connects you. The conventional, low-leverage move is to message your contact and say, *“Hey, I see you know Sarah at Acme Corp. Do you mind introducing us so I can ask her about open roles?”* This fails because it places a massive cognitive and social burden on your contact. They have to figure out what to say, look up Sarah’s information, and risk their own professional capital on an ambiguous request. You have to eliminate 100% of the friction for your first-degree connection by using a forwardable email protocol. Write a message that your contact can simply copy, paste, and forward to the target with zero modifications. The architecture of a high-leverage forwardable note relies on a specific value hook: > *“Hi \[First-Degree Contact\], I noticed you’re connected with Sarah over at Acme Corp. I’ve been tracking their current regional logistics integration, and having run a parallel database restructuring at my last firm, I put together a brief, 1-page operational checklist on how we insulated our margins against data drag during the cutover. I’d love to drop the notes over to her team, completely no strings attached. Would you be open to forwarding the brief note below to her? I’ve kept it short to save you the typing.”* ### 3. The Human Hand-Off Below that introductory note to your contact, insert the exact clinical message meant for the second-degree executive. Keep it entirely peer-level and focused purely on a live organizational friction point: > *“Sarah — I saw we have a mutual contact in \[First-Degree Name\]. I’ve been following your team’s expansion into mid-market enterprise integration this quarter. Having navigated that transition previously, I’ve noticed that legacy inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the infrastructure teams aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief framework on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag. No strings attached. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* When your mutual contact receives this, they see a highly professional, clinical asset. They don’t feel like they are helping an unemployed applicant beg for a job; they feel like an elite matchmaker introducing two peers to solve a live business liability. ### The Bottom Line Your primary network is your launching pad; your secondary network is where the actual market capital lives. Stop exhausting your closest professional relationships by asking for generic favors or [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) shares. Treat your first-degree connections as strategic advisors who hold the keys to the next room. Map the secondary tier, isolate the critical friction points of those target leaders, and deploy high-leverage forwardable assets. That is how you bypass the software, skip the line, and let your competence pull the right opportunities straight to your inbox. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Last week I released a number of blog posts on my website, including: **Changing Yourself and Others #shorts** Excerpt: True personal evolution requires letting go of the habits that got you to your current level. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) draws on insights from Peter Bevelin to explain why modifying your own behavioral patterns is the prerequisite to shifting how others perceive and react to you inside corporate environments. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-yourself-and-others-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-yourself-and-others-shorts/) **How to Turn Rejection into a Long-Term Strategy** Excerpt: Getting rejected by a top-tier company isn’t a final verdict on your worth—it is raw market data. This episode breaks down how to stop thinking like a defeated applicant and start operating like a professional scout. Learn how to reverse-engineer the decision to strengthen your market position. Link: **The [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Told Me, “We’ll Make a Decision by Next Friday”** Excerpt: When a corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) gives you a specific deadline for their [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) decision, taking it as a literal guarantee is a rookie [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the structural delays that happen behind the scenes and explains how to handle the [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) without losing your professional posture. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-recruiter-told-me-well-make-a-decision-by-next-friday/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-recruiter-told-me-well-make-a-decision-by-next-friday/) **Selling [Fractional Work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/selling-fractional-work-from-contract-to-c-suite/): From Contract to C-Suite** Excerpt: The executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) landscape has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines how elite professionals are moving away from traditional full-time [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) to pitch high-value [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) and contract advisory solutions directly to the C-suite. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/selling-fractional-work-from-contract-to-c-suite/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/selling-fractional-work-from-contract-to-c-suite/) **Understanding Your Personal Value Proposition** Excerpt: Developing a robust value statement requires time and careful attention, regardless of whether you are pursuing traditional [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) or entrepreneurial endeavors. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a clear blueprint to map out your core professional impact metrics so you can command premium market compensation. Link: **Keywords Have Stopped Working on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)** Excerpt: Relying on lazy keyword stuffing to trick [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) search strings is an obsolete strategy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how LinkedIn’s search algorithm has evolved toward conversational [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) patterns, meaning your profile must showcase contextual achievements and clear business impact rather than a raw checklist of terms to get noticed. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/keywords-have-stopped-working-on-linkedin/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/keywords-have-stopped-working-on-linkedin/) **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): June 28 2026** Excerpt: In this special weekend compilation session, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strips away the polite corporate myths to address the unvarnished realities of the current executive landscape. From negotiating [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) increases during [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) freezes to recognizing when management is quietly working to push you out, get direct, tactical answers to critical professional dilemmas. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-28-2026/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-28-2026/) **Do What Jerry Seinfeld Does #shorts** Excerpt: Professional mastery and elite execution require a relentless commitment to daily consistency rather than waiting for sporadic bursts of inspiration. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of the famous Seinfeld productivity system and details how to apply it directly to your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) execution. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-what-jerry-seinfeld-does-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-what-jerry-seinfeld-does-shorts/) **How to Tailor Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for the Greenhouse [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)** Excerpt: The [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) utilized by modern tech organizations operate on rigid, mathematical parsing structures. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers an explicit technical guide on how to structurally align [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) documentation with Greenhouse’s criteria, helping you advance straight to a human review without losing your layout’s core professional presentation. Link: **Writing an Impactful [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) (for [Felons](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-an-impactful-resume-for-felons/))** Excerpt: Navigating a corporate [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with a criminal record presents unique systemic hurdles that generic advice completely ignores. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) provides a direct, highly practical strategy to construct your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), frame your background, and emphasize your portable technical skills to command real professional leverage. Link: **People Will Remember | No BS [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Advice | #shorts** Excerpt: How you treat people during an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process matters long after the seat is filled. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a swift truth about executive behavior: candidates never forget late arrivals, condescending questions, or sudden ghosting. Protect your employer [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) by treating applicants with standard human respect. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts/) **The No BS Guide to [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Metrics** Excerpt: Saying you are a “transformational leader with excellent communication skills” means absolutely nothing to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). If you want to command real pricing power, you have to back up your claims with hard financial data, volume metrics, and resource savings. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strips away the fluffy adjectives and provides a direct blueprint to excavate the performance numbers that actually drive corporate interest. Link: **6 Second [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Tips: [Applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) #shorts** Excerpt: Corporate [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) spend roughly six seconds scanning an applicant’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) before making a foundational keep-or-toss decision. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a high-speed optimization tactic you can execute instantly to make your primary commercial value clear within those critical first six seconds. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-shorts/) **[AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Scams in Recruiting: What Job Hunters Need to Watch For** Excerpt: Bad actors are rapidly weaponizing artificial intelligence to deploy hyper-convincing phishing setups, fake [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) profiles, and phantom job listings designed to scrape your personal identity data. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the sophisticated operational models behind these modern [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) scams and outlines the specific validation checkpoints you must execute to safeguard your data. Link: **The Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) PortCo Playbook** Excerpt: Navigating an executive [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) inside a Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company requires a complete departure from standard corporate navigation rules. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out the strict operational playbook driving PE investors and explains how to frame your operational metrics around rapid velocity, aggressive capital efficiency, and clear enterprise value expansion. Link: **6 Second [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Tips: [Stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) #shorts** Excerpt: A six-second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tip about managing your [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/). Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-shorts/) **Your 5% [Raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) May Still Have You Losing Money #shorts** Excerpt: Let me explain why a 5% [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) may still have you losing money. Link: **[Sabotaging Yourself](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/) During a Presentation or Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)** Excerpt: EP 1723 Whether you are presenting a speech to a group or being interviewed for a job, what you wear makes a difference. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview/) **The Quality to Run to and Not From** Excerpt: There is a quality that people run from WAY too often. People should run to it, not from it. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-quality-to-run-to-and-not-from/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fthebiggamehunter.us%2Fthe-quality-to-run-to-and-not-from%2F) **[Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Not Addressing a Concern Proactively** Excerpt: Waiting for an interviewer to point out a weakness in your background is a defensive strategy that often ends in rejection. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how to identify potential objections on your resume—such as [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) gaps or a lack of specific industry experience—and control the narrative by addressing them proactively with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively/) **If You Aren’t Getting Results from [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) #shorts** Excerpt: If your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) pipeline is consistently stalling out at the final rounds, your technical capability isn’t the problem—your presentation of value is. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid diagnostic check to help you identify the subtle communication errors that prevent you from closing corporate offers. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-getting-results-from-interviews-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-getting-results-from-interviews-shorts/) **The [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Pivot: Sell the Transformation, Not Your Time** Excerpt: High-tier advisory candidates struggle to secure premium [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) mandates because they pitch their labor instead of their impact. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details how to restructure your commercial offerings around high-velocity organizational transformation rather than billing by the hour, allowing you to command elite C-suite retainers. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-pivot-sell-the-transformation-not-your-time/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-pivot-sell-the-transformation-not-your-time/) **Blogging** Excerpt: Building a robust professional platform requires more than just passive [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/); it demands active insight distribution. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how consistent professional blogging builds a visible digital archive of your expertise, allowing premium talent scouts and executive boards to discover your value proposition organically. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/blogging/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/blogging/) **Your Former Employer Won’t Let People Write Recommendations** Excerpt: Corporate HR departments increasingly implement rigid policies that ban managers from writing official [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) recommendations to avoid legal liabilities. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to navigate this institutional roadblock, bypass the official corporate ban, and legally secure high-impact personal references from former peers. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-former-employer-wont-let-people-write-recommendations/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-former-employer-wont-let-people-write-recommendations/) **Decoding [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/): How to Beat the Enterprise Filter** Excerpt: [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) remains one of the oldest and most stubborn [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) utilized by Fortune 500 enterprises. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strips away the algorithmic mystery, explaining how [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) parses data and how to structurally adjust your documentation so you pass their enterprise filters and reach a human eyes. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) **Is It Better If My [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Is Informal? #shorts** Excerpt: Striking the right tone in modern [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) materials is a delicate balancing act. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid, No BS reality check on when an informal [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) helps you stand out as an authentic candidate and when it instantly gets you tossed out. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-better-if-my-cover-letter-is-informal-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-better-if-my-cover-letter-is-informal-shorts/) **What a Late-Career Layoff Looks Like in America** Excerpt: Facing a corporate restructuring late in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) brings unique, systemic challenges that standard outplacement services completely ignore. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) addresses the harsh realities of [age bias](https://thebiggamehunter.us/overcoming-age-bias-in-job-search/) in the executive landscape and delivers a tactical roadmap to pivot your positioning and reclaim professional leverage. 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Many are available for 99 cents People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: July 5 2026 --- ### [People Will Remember | No BS Hiring Advice | #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) **Published:** July 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Denise Wilkerson, the author of HIRE with FIRE: The Relationship-Driven Interview and Hiring Method," points out an easily correctable mistake people make when hiring. **Content:** # People Will Remember #shorts #quotes **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/EjIeX56ICsg) Denise Wilkerson, the author of [HIRE with FIRE: The Relationship-Driven Interview and Hiring Method](https://dandyworx.com/hiring-books/hire-with-fire/),” points out an easily correctable [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make when [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. ![People Will Remember](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/People-Will-Remember-1-1024x1024.png) **Categories:** No BS Hiring Advice, #Shorts, Quotes **Tags:** Hiring, People Will Remember, recruiting, staffing --- ### [I Almost Gave Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You’ll go through silence. Rejection. Confusion. But if you stop? That becomes your story. **Content:** # I Almost Gave Up **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **I almost gave up.** Back when I was still doing recruiting full-time, I hit a streak where nothing closed for weeks. I’d prepped candidates to the teeth. I’d managed client expectations. Still — *crickets*. No callbacks. No [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Deals fell apart at the one-yard line. I remember looking at my desk late one night and thinking, **“Maybe this is it. Maybe I’m done.”** But I didn’t stop. I adjusted. I rewired my approach. I stopped trying to play a perfect game and just played the damn game. A few days later, I closed a big search. Then another. Then another. Momentum came back — because I never really lost it. I just got tired of not seeing results. That’s [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in a nutshell. **It sucks…until it doesn’t.** You’ll go through silence. [Rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/). Confusion. But if you stop? That becomes your story. If you keep going? That becomes your turning point. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) globally. I make [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in your new role easier. I coach people to win — not just apply. Don’t let a tough stretch convince you to give up before the breakthrough. [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[The Billion-Dollar Staffing Mistake](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acz)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[The Billion Dollar Mistake in Hiring Part II](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acE)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data. \#jobsearch #careeradvice #nobsjobsearch #jobhunt #careercoach **Categories:** Career Angles, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** I almost gave up --- ### [The Top 10 Things To Do When Times Get Tough to Land A Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-top-10-things-you-can-do-when-times-get-tough-to-land-your-next-job-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Things are still complicated out there. My guest, DJ Lloyd, discusses the top things that you can do when times get tough including Covid tough. **Content:** # The Top 10 Things To Do When Times Get Tough to Land A Job **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Things are still complicated out there. My guest, DJ Lloyd, discusses the top things that you can do when times get tough including Covid tough. Yes, this was recorded a while ago, but includes advice relevant today. [***Experienced Workers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mZo) So, my guest today is David E. Lloyd, Jr., a US Marine veteran with almost [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of experience as a [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) to the federal government. He’s the co-founder, let me restate that, he’s the founder of DJ the [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach, I don’t know where my head was at that moment, and the author of the job promotion manual. His work, well, what he does is help his clients with landing their next promotion, increasing their [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) within [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). DJ, welcome. Great to have you on. Great to be here. Yes. Thank you. So, here we are. Times are, shall we say, complicated. You know, I’ve been through a lot of recessions, nothing like this. No one’s seen anything like this for which there’s no playbook whatsoever. And we’re going to talk today about some of the things that people can do when times get rough, not necessarily like COVID tough, but like, tough in general. And you’ve got 10 things we’re going to talk about today. So, what’s number one? What’s the first thing that people should do in getting ready when times get rough? Well, my go to is always my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). So, whenever I am considering moving on to a new job, or considering this job I have is not working out, the first thing I do is update my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). That’s the key thing. And making sure that it’s up to date, and just making sure that it’s a fresh look sometimes can give you some ideas of what to change and what to make better, and make sure that there’s no repetition as you begin updating those different sections. I remember in olden times, when people had [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) in Times New Roman font, you know, back in the stone ages when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and it was the ugliest thing known to humanity, but that’s what people did. Times New Roman, ugly as all hell. And I go so far as I always tell people, try and make some time every few months to just update your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), because if you’re out the door, or you’re [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of getting [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/), [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) really hits, and you miss things, you don’t language them as well. And thus, it’s always better if you just take a few minutes every couple of months, just update your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to bring up to date so you don’t forget anything. That’s the key part. Not forgetting because sometimes when you’re [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/), or you’re learning something new, or you’ve given a [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/), and you forget about it, so you don’t add it to the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). But the more frequently you’re updating it, the more things you can add that are more relevant to the things that you’re learning, new things that you’re learning. And remember, folks, you can always take it out. It’s harder to remember at that time, but you can always take it out. Yes. And with that, also, we have [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, because [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), of course, is where the headhunters are out prowling for people. And you want your profile ready and up to date, so that they’re reaching out to you because you can always say no. Exactly. And it’s one thing that you also can do outside of just updating your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is also update those profiles. And it’s something that as you’re updating your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you update your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, or your Monster, or Indy, or CareerBuilder, going back and updating those profiles, keeping them current is a good thing as well. Because I always say, like you said earlier about when you have those rough days at work, and it always motivates me to go back and update my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and update my [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) profiles, my job descriptions. If you’re updating your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) on the day you’re feeling homicidal, it’s too late. You should have done it before. [***The 10-Step Guide To Making A Career Transition***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD) So, that was number one. Number two. So, number two, I’ve talked to people and some of them are, I remember I was talking to a client, and she asked me, she said, hey, do we still need [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) nowadays? And I said, yeah, covers are still important. It’s still important to create a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). And especially if you don’t have a really lengthy work history, you definitely want to include that [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). And the purpose why I say that is because it gives it extra oomph to your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Because the things you can’t put onto your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), like your journey, or how you got to your current position, or how you got to your current state that you live in. I mean, most of us are moving around, moving in places that we didn’t live, were born and raised. But how did you get there? How did you get to this particular place? You can put all that in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). You can put all those things you can’t fit, I mean, in your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). All the things you can’t fit in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you get to tell your story in your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). And when you teach people how to do [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), what are your [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) about it? Make it personal. You know, make it personal. It’s a letter, make it feel like a letter. And sometimes people want to reiterate the things they said on their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). I said, no, don’t do that. We are, let the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) do what the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) supposed to do. Use that cover to be very personal, and be direct. And so that you get to show that, you know, you’re a human being and you have experiences. You can mention your children, your kids, your family. You know, why did you relocate? Those things you can’t get in a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), but you can get those things in your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). Interesting. How long do you think a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) should be? I would say no more than three paragraphs. You know, usually two paragraphs is about the length of the ones that I do help people create. But, and then usually those sentences are no more than five to seven sentences, but then each paragraph. So you don’t want it too lengthy because who wants to be reading a dissertation during a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), but you don’t want to be too short. You want it to definitely make it feel as though you put some time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) into your into your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), but not overwhelm the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. Because they won’t be interested after a while. I see a letter that’s five paragraphs, I get kind of, you know, this is going to be long. So I wouldn’t suggest doing that. Do you have people send it in as the body of an email as an attachment? Does it not matter to you? Well, usually I know monster.com allows you to submit a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) with your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). So that’s the opportunity there. It just depends. Typically, if a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) reaches out, I won’t typically automatically send my [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) or ask the client to do that unless they really are trying to make an impression. It’s not always necessary to provide a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), but if there are those situations where you really want to impress the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), you want to stand out, especially if you don’t have an empty work history, you want to do those things. But if you have a five page [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), because you’re showing all the work history that you have, it may not be required to send a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to them, email it to them. It may be a little bit overwhelming to give them another page on top of that. So just be thoughtful about if you were receiving in of that, would you do that? Sometimes, you know, it’s five or six pages, and I’ve seen that five or six page [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and added a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to that. And even I’ve seen two page [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/). ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** That’s now a seven to eight page document you’re sending someone to have them look over. That’s not going to go over well when you have a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who actually, you know, have [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and who’s doing all kinds of other things in conjunction to getting your email. So just be mindful of if you’re going to do a [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), you’re going to send it, be mindful of how many pages you’re sending that individual and also be mindful of what is the story you’re trying to tell them. It may not be necessary. Great. Number three, number three, avoid restating in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), in your cover, the things you said in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). I said again, be careful not to just repeat all the things you said in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) on your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). So that’s another thing that I see people do. They will go back and just start putting a sentence form, all the bullets that they said in the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). And don’t do that. Make it personal. That’s the purpose of the [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). You want to, as I say all the time to my clients, make a friend. You know, with your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), try to make it personal. Try to tell a story that’s compelling and interesting in your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). So that’s a given insight into why you made certain [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) choices and hobbies that you love. So that way they feel like, you know, I’m getting to know a person. Gotcha. Are we on to number four or number three? Are number four now. That’s what I thought. Number four. So nowadays we have the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) and for some people, this is intimidating for some, they like the idea. And this is the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). So what it does is it looks through once you put your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) onto monster.com, Indeed, [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Builder, it goes through a little crawl. It goes through looking at all of those words that are on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and looking for what they call keywords. And based on those keywords, they will begin to fit you into categories based on the words that it comes up with. So let’s say you have a keyword, like engineer or a network engineer, then you’re going to start getting emails, maybe from those sites about network engineering. And this is a great thing. That’s a wonderful thing. But let’s say you have things that you don’t want to get [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) for, but you still have some of those keywords on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). You will start to get some of those listings as well. So those are some of the, I guess, the downsides of the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) system. And that’s why we’ll get into the objective later about objective statements and why I feel that it helps the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) in his [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) world to definitely reach out to you. They know exactly what position you’re interested in because that [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) can also sort of backfire in a way to send you down a road where you’re not interested in. I agree. With an [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), I know if you position it higher in the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), it thinks it’s kind of like currency. It’s more current experience. And thus, if it’s in the top of the first page, if it’s in the first two thirds of the first page, it likes that, especially if there’s repetition. If it’s on the bottom of page two, less interested because it interprets that as being old. So, the things you want to be interviewed for, you always want to have up high. The things you don’t want to be interviewed, you want to place low because even if it shows up as a keyword on one of these systems, it’s scored lower because these systems kind of score things like, this is a 32% possible match. Okay, I’m right over that one. Let me go to the 87 first, and I’ll get to the number 32 sometime when hell freezes over. Yeah, and you’ll start getting those job listings. I had a client one time he was saying, hey, I’m getting all these [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that I don’t want. I’m getting all these job lists of things that I don’t want. And then he went back with his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). He had like, okay, well, you have these keywords in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), so you’re going to get them. So, we had to go back and sort of look at his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and rephrase things and bring up the terminology a bit so that it was up to date. Gotcha. Number five. Number five. So, strategy in [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation. This is a scary thing for people. ### [***LinkedIn Profiles: Why Minimal Profiles Work #shorts***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-md8) They do not like negotiating [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). They would rather just take whatever they’re being offered and complain about it later. Not the people I work with. I meet some, and the reason why they feel that way is because you just wanted her, yes, you wanted her, I got you, you got the job. But that’s not good enough. I even had a client one time, she actually took, she knew that the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) they wanted to give her wasn’t satisfactory, but she was just trying to get a job. She was trying to get back into the workforce and she was going to take whatever they were going to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) her. So, but then when she got the job, she had to go back to actually do what she should have done in the beginning. She had to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). So, to do that effectively, what I believe is you need to really understand your budget. Because sometimes I think when people don’t have the conviction that they really need to say, this is how much I’m worth, it’s because they don’t really know how much they’re worth. They don’t really know what it is that they need in order for their life to function. So, I would definitely recommend, go over your budget. Look at how much your vacation costs, how much your insurance costs, how much all your utilities, all your loans or your credit cards. Look at that and really come up with a number about this is how much I need in order to survive and save. And then look at how much you’re asking for in terms of your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). So, when you’re asked, what is your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) rate? You have that conviction because you know how much money you actually need in order to survive off of. And a lot of people are actually surprised when they actually go through that exercise. I have this whole budget exercise they go through to really get an idea of how much money they need. Most folks go, wow, I’m not asking for enough. Or they’ll go, I’m really wasting a lot of my money that I’m getting for my [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Very true. I know, I had a situation a few years ago, where a woman I was [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), she came to me after her [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) had started. She was moving from New Jersey to Seattle and really didn’t have a sense of cost of living in Seattle. She thought she did until she was about three [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) in and said, I can’t afford to live there. And they’re about to make me an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). And I helped her by just pausing the conversation with the firm and said, I made a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). I suspect you know this, but I made a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). I thought the cost of living between New Jersey and Seattle was comparable. It really isn’t. And she went through four or five different items where Seattle was significantly higher. And they said, okay, and they upped what they were proposing to her to get her on board. Now, things can be rectified sometimes, but not all the time, particularly when times are tough. And [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) think, I’ve got one over the barrel. I got one. She can’t argue with us. She’s unemployed. Right. Right. And they use that leverage. So, folks, be aware of what the market is for what you do. For real, not just what your friend tells you. Exactly. Do your own [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). And my whole thing is, know what you need. That’s the thing. Know how much you need. Don’t depend on… I mean, there are lots of websites out there that will tell you what salaries are for a particular position. But what do you need? How much money do you need to function and creating your budget off of that? Now, given you might go out and do all your budgeting, you look at all your finances and decide that, you know, I need… I still… I know that I can make more than that. That’s totally fine. But at least you still have an idea of what your operating expenses are. And I’m also going to remind you that from the time they start asking you about what you’re looking for, what your current compensation is, they’re negotiating. Right. Job hunters think that negotiation takes place at the end. No, it takes place every time they’re asking a money question. That’s negotiation. So, don’t be surprised. And there are ways to duck off of this that I know I’ve done in other videos and other [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). But for today, because we’re a little tight on time, let’s keep going. Number six. Number six. So, what I ask people to do, especially in this particular time period where we’re looking at the whole pandemic and possibly heading to a recession, you want to take online courses. You want to show [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) that, hey, I’m learning new skills and I have new skills to provide. So, and what’s great is a lot of [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) that’s online is free. So, I go to Unimi, Coursa. I go to these places and look and see what are trainings that are available that I could possibly get a certificate for that is free. Or I pay, I think at Unimi you can pay $13, $15 for a class and it’s really reasonable price that they have for me. They give you a certificate and that’s something you can put on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). And so, that’s an opportunity there for you to become more competitive. Great. Folks, Unimi is spelled U-D-E-M-I. There’s Coursera, C-O-U-R-S-E-R-A. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) I was looking for a friend of mine yesterday. Heck, Harvard has classes online that you can take for nothing or very little, like really very little. So, there’s ways to continue your [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) and keep improving because that is a signal of someone who’s [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) motivated. Yes. I like to see that someone who enjoys learning. And regardless of age, I talked to some people like, oh, well, I’m at a certain age, should I go back to school? And it just depends what your goals are, but you still should always continue on taking courses and learning something new. Agreed. You may have noticed this face of mine is not 24. And I’ll simply say, older workers cop to [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) much too easily. They think they’re getting turned down because of their age. Most of the time, it isn’t. Now, sometimes it is. Most of the time, it’s skills deficiency, lack of preparation. Now, they’ve done nothing to upgrade their talents over the last few years. Their background is dated. That’s the biggest issue or they don’t know how to present themselves. So, folks, keep taking classes. It makes a big difference. Right. And I always say when someone who’s older, you have a ton of experience and that experience needs to be passed on to the younger generation. So, that’s one of the things that you show up with, that I have the ability to help others get better and help train. So, I’m always looking at when I have a person who is older, I want to encourage them to include that [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) that they’re willing to train others on their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Absolutely. And I’ll also say, folks, if you get the question that basically translates into, hey, look, I’m 34 and you’re not. How do you feel about working with someone older than you? I’ll just simply say, folks, the way to respond is to say something to the effect of, I’ve been in your seat. I don’t want to be in your seat. I’m [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to help you if you want it. If you don’t want it, my feelings aren’t hurt. I’ll keep my mouth shut and do what you want me to do. And to say it with conviction, not just as though you’re going, well, and make it seem like you’re making it up on the fly. Like you have to be real clear about this. I don’t want to be in your seat at all. If you want my advice, I’ll give it to you. If you don’t want my advice, my feelings aren’t hurt. I’ll just do my job. I’m okay with that. And people respond well to that. And I know that’s the big issue that a lot of older professionals have when they go on the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and they see the older manager and their first response is to go, oh, I’m doomed. Seven, we’re up to number seven. So be flexible. So sometimes when we’re stuck in a particular position and we, especially when you feel stuck and people want to get out of that particular position, they want to grow. They want to do other things and see other people who are moving ahead and they are not. And how do you find flexibility? It may not be the answer is that I want to move to a different position or a different job or a different company. It’s just, I want to move to some greater responsibilities and greater opportunities. So if you’re in the government, my customers are government employees or they are contractors to the federal government. I try to encourage them to look at what they call a TV wise, which is temporary duty [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/), which is what will happen is they will look out and see what positions are open or who can they shadow. And they will begin getting credit for that. They can put that on their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for all that [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) they’ve gotten working in a different environment, maybe a different unit or division, or they may shadow one of their coworkers and the team they’re currently with. But that’s all things that will, you can put on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and because they are tracking that the government actually tracks this, they will help you. Those items you learn will help you get that job. So if there are a particular job that you’re interested in that you want to someday, hopefully apply for, then you will find the person who’s already doing that job and begin to sort of shadow them. And then what happens is when you’re ready to apply for that job, you can say, I’ve already done a lot of those duties already have already have already accomplished those tasks. And that makes you more competitive for that position. Interesting. It’s an interesting approach that the government takes. Number eight. So number eight, prepare to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) virtually. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) So especially now we’re doing a lot of virtual [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and people are finding out that they don’t [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) very well on the Zoom meeting. They don’t have that connection. They can’t make that connection. And I guess I’ve never thought about that until I started talking to individuals about, hey, I’m getting interviewed and I’m doing them in Zoom meetings, but there’s something that’s not clicking. And I’m saying, well, do you smile? And they’re like, I don’t know. I do, you know, do you open the conversation up with a, with an opening? So no, not when we first started this conversation, it was like, hey, how are you? You know, how are things going? I really just didn’t jump into, you know, the top 10. We actually had a little banter back and forth. So you want to do that before the meeting. Sometimes everyone has conversations. So the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) may not do that, but still it’s on you to do that. One of the things back here, you see behind me, I have a ton of books behind me. So if I was the interviewer, then what I would do is if I was you and I was the interviewer, then you would simply say, hey, you know, I see you’re a book lover. You know, what kind of books have you read lately? My face would light up because I’m a book guy. So that’s a great conversational opener. So that when you’re engaging online, you don’t have an office to really look and say, okay, let me see what’s on his desk. So I can start a conversation about that. Cause that’s something that I do in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I try to find things that are interesting or are conversation openers in the person’s office. But since you don’t have that ability, you want to have to really, you know, look behind the person and see, do I see any pictures or I see a fern? I think that’s a fern behind you. But that’s a conversation opener. Once you get a chuckle, you get a laugh that helps out in terms of breaking the ice. Um, when you’re doing a zoom. Absolutely. Nine, sorry. Nine. Well, my number nine suggestion I have send a thank you letter. So, uh, we don’t do this anymore. I don’t, don’t send thank you letters anymore or thank you emails any, any longer. It’s sort of outdated, but it’s a great way to make yourself stand out. It’s superb. So, um, uh, sending a thank you email is awesome. That’s great. Um, to say, Hey, I enjoyed the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Thank you for meeting with me. Um, hopefully I’ll hear a decision, uh, in a certain timeframe. If you know, the timeframe is a great, but no one sends hand letter written, thank you letters anymore. Thank you notes any longer. If you really want to stand out, then I would do that. If I really wanted to stand out. So before I leave the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I would definitely try to get the person’s car in order to find a way to get in contact with them through mail. And then maybe immediately after the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), um, put together a thank you letter. So that way, um, you will, uh, sort of surprise them with that. And, um, it’s another way, if you know, the time period when they’re going to make a decision and say, it’s going to be two weeks from the day of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), then you can schedule that thank you letter so that they, so by the time they forgotten about maybe your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), then they have a little reminder and say, Hey, remember me? That thing that can be scheduled, that thing can be scheduled so that, um, you can come up in their memory one more time before they make their final decision. If you know, around the timeframe, they’re going to make that decision. And it’s a little bit farther out into the future. That was number nine, if I’m not mistaken, right? Number nine. Number 10. Number 10, the most important out of all of them, be patient. ***[Game Show Interviewing](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-17Y)*** And that one’s interesting. Go into more about being patient. So one of the things that because we’re so busy, I get the job that I get the job that I do well, that I do well, and all the nervousness and worry about that, we forget to be diligent. So instead of using that inner, that [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), that, that [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) of worrying and trying to figure out, you know, why didn’t they just say, um, chose, choose me, or had they chosen anybody yet, or just sit back and say, what can I do right now? That’s going to help me to, um, possibly not get this job, but maybe another job. So whenever I, in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I keep looking. I don’t just stop there. You know, I don’t stop looking because I had a really good [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) or a bad [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I want to continue looking and searching for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) because what makes it feel better when I am leaving the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I know that I have other opportunities lined up in the process. That makes it a lot easier. And especially if you happen to get a no, then it makes it easier when you know that you have other things lined up along the way. So when I say be patient, I really do mean be diligent and don’t just stop looking, just because there’s a one or two opportunities on the table. I’m going to do this in a way that’s designed to be playful. [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is very much like dating. And when you think about dates, you know, for me, it’s been a long time. [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[The Billion-Dollar Staffing Mistake](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acz)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[The Billion Dollar Mistake in Hiring Part II](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acE)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** find a job in a recession, Finding a job during a recession, Finding a job during hard times, Hard times, how to find a job during a recession, how to find a job in a recession, How to find the job during hard times, how to get a job, job search during recession, looking for a job during coronavirus, recession, recession job search, The Top 10 Things You Can Do When Times Get Tough to Land Your Next Job --- ### [Stop! How to Spot AI Job Scams](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode lays out a strict, step-by-step verification protocol to stress-test recruiters, expose live deepfakes, and lock down your personal data before you get taken for a ride. **Content:** # Stop! How to Spot AI Job Scams **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** That high-paying, fully remote job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) sitting in your inbox from Google or Amazon could be an entirely AI-generated [scam](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-received-an-offer-without-interviewing-how-can-i-tell-if-it-is-legit/) designed to drain your bank account. [Employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) fraud has reached record highs, with one in three job seekers encountering sophisticated traps that steal your identity and your cash. This episode lays out a strict, step-by-step verification protocol to stress-test [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), expose live deepfakes, and lock down your personal data before you get taken for a ride. You open your inbox and see a message from a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) at Amazon, Google, or another major [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). They are offering a fully remote role with high pay, flexible hours, and almost no barrier to entry. But the person who sent that message doesn’t actually exist. They are an AI-generated persona designed to harvest your social security number, drain your bank account, and commit identity theft in your name. This chart shows the current reality of [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). One in three job seekers now encounters [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) fraud, and those who fall for it suffer an average financial loss of $8,900. Today, we are going to walk through a precise, step-by-step protocol to investigate these offers. You’ll learn to expose deep fake [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), verify job postings, and lock down your personal data. If you have a recent [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) message sitting in your email or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) inbox right now, pull it up. We are going to test it in real time. By learning exactly how these fraud rings operate, you remove their biggest advantage, turning yourself from a vulnerable target into an empowered investigator. Step one is scrutinizing the initial point of contact. We start by looking closely at the recruiter’s profile picture. Fraudsters use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to generate polished corporate headshots, but the algorithms make predictable [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Look for unnaturally smooth, airbrushed skin textures. Check the accessories, like mismatched earrings or asymmetrical glasses. Next, check the surrounding details. Pay attention to warped architectural lines in the background, or hair that physically melts into the collar of their shirt. Once you’ve checked the photo, move to the email address. A sender’s display name can be set to anything, so you must verify the actual domain they are sending from. This diagram shows how scammers use typosquatting to deceive you. A legitimate email comes from a clean corporate domain, like @google.com. A fraudulent email adds hyphens and extra words, like @google-careers-hiring.com, to mimic the real [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) without owning the authentic domain. If the domain looks suspicious, do not click any links inside that message. Instead, open a new browser window, navigate directly to the company’s official [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) page, and search for the job opening there. A legitimate recruiter’s digital footprint holds up to basic scrutiny. A scammer’s facade relies entirely on you rushing past these specific details. Step two is evaluating how the company actually conducts its [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. Here is an immediate deal breaker: if a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) tries to move your conversation away from official email and onto encrypted personal chat apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, stop engaging. Real companies do not conduct [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) through personal messaging apps. In the equipment check [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), the scammer mails a check and instructs you to buy a laptop from their vendor. When you wire the money, the [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) closes. The vendor is the scammer, the check bounces, and you absorb the loss. To avoid this, remember the golden rule of [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/): real [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) pay you; you never pay them for the privilege of working. Step three: testing the interviewer. Scammers use real-time face-swapping software, meaning live video calls no longer guarantee you’re talking to the real person. To break an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) mask during a call, you need to introduce physical variables. First, casually ask the interviewer to turn their head 90 degrees to the side. Next, find a reason to ask them to wave their hand rapidly in front of their face. Watch their screen closely when they make these movements. Current [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) software struggles to process sudden obstructions and extreme angles in real time. Look for rendering glitches, edge distortion, and sudden blurring along the jawline. Scammers know their software has limits, so they rely on the 10-second disconnect. They will intentionally drop the video call almost immediately to prevent the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) from glitching under your scrutiny. Seconds later, they will send a text message claiming they have a bad internet connection, attempting to safely continue the [scam](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-received-an-offer-without-interviewing-how-can-i-tell-if-it-is-legit/) over text where their mask isn’t at risk. Forcing the interviewer to perform complex physical movements over video is the fastest way to strip away their technological disguise. Step four is data defense. You must withhold all sensitive information until a formal, verified onboarding process begins through a secure HR portal. There are specific items you must absolutely never share early in the process. Do not hand over your social security number, your banking details, or copies of your driver’s license. To further isolate your risk, set up a dedicated email address used exclusively for [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Keep this entirely separate from your personal and financial accounts. Finally, never fill out emailed PDFs of tax forms or direct deposit slips, regardless of how official the letterhead looks. Real companies handle this through secure internal systems. Fiercely safeguarding these specific details acts as the ultimate firewall against identity theft. It stops the [scam](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-received-an-offer-without-interviewing-how-can-i-tell-if-it-is-legit/) cold, even if the fraudster managed to pass all your earlier checks. You have now successfully run that suspicious remote job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) through the ultimate step-by-step [scam](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-received-an-offer-without-interviewing-how-can-i-tell-if-it-is-legit/) detector test protocol. You know how to verify [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) profiles, scrutinize communication channels, stress-test live video feeds, and secure your financial data. With this protocol in place, you are equipped to confidently move forward with a genuine [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) opportunity or block a scammer dead in their tracks. To continue building [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) skills, head over to JobSearch.Community. Become an insider, access [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and explore additional video courses, books, and guides. Before you go, please share this video, leave a comment, like, and follow the channel. Doing so ensures this protection system reaches and saves other job seekers out there. Stay safe and [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) hunting. ***[AI Scams in Recruiting: What Job Hunters Need to Watch For](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-pEG)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Scam **Tags:** How to Spot AI Job Scams, Stop! How to Spot AI Job Scams --- ### [Beat Job Search Frustration: 5 Expert Tips](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I've seen countless talented people navigate these turbulent waters. **Content:** # Beat Job Search Frustration: 5 Expert Tips **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** For many, [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) conjures images of endless [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), the dreaded [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) email, and an overwhelming sense of being lost in a vast, competitive landscape. If feelings of frustration, self-doubt, or even [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) have crept into your job hunt, know this: you’re not alone. As a very experienced [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coach with years of experience, I’ve seen countless talented people navigate these turbulent waters. The key is understanding that frustration is normal, but it doesn’t have to dictate your journey. Let’s explore five [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) tips to help you regain control and optimize your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) for [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). ## **1. Laser Focus: Target Roles, Not Just Apply Widely.** In today’s digital era, the temptation to send out a high volume of generic [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) is strong. However, this “spray and pray” approach often leads to wasted effort and dwindling motivation. Instead, adopt a targeted strategy. Identify companies and specific job openings that genuinely align with [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) aspirations and skill set. Conduct thorough [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on these organizations – understand their mission, company culture, and the specific requirements of the roles. Then, tailor your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to highlight the *exact* qualifications and experiences that make you a strong candidate for *that particular position*. This focused approach is not only more efficient but also demonstrates genuine interest to potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). ## **2. Network Smarter: Build Real Connections.** Your professional network is invaluable in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). But simply accumulating [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) connections won’t cut it. Focus on building meaningful relationships with individuals who can [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) insights, advice, or potential job leads. Reach out for informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), attend industry events (virtual and in-person), and actively participate in relevant online communities. Remember, [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is a two-way street. [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) your own expertise and support to others. Building genuine connections can unlock hidden opportunities and provide invaluable support during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). ## **3. The Experiment Mindset: Learn From Every Step.** [Rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) is an inherent part of the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Instead of letting it deflate your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), reframe each unsuccessful [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) or [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) as a learning opportunity. Analyze what might have led to the outcome. Were there specific skills the employer was seeking that you lack? Could your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) responses have been stronger? Treat each interaction as an experiment, gather [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) (even if it’s just your own reflection), and use those insights to refine your approach for future opportunities. This continuous improvement mindset is crucial for long-term [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). ## **4. Tech as Your Ally: Use Tools Wisely.** The modern [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) landscape is filled with technological tools – from [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) builders and job boards with advanced filtering to video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) platforms. Leverage these resources strategically. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to optimize your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) with relevant keywords and practice common [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions. However, avoid becoming solely reliant on technology. Remember that human connection and genuine enthusiasm are still vital in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. Use technology to streamline your search, but don’t let it replace authentic engagement. ## **5. Prioritize You: Well-being Fuels Success.** The emotional and mental toll of an extended [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) can be significant. It’s crucial to prioritize your well-being throughout the process. Schedule regular breaks, engage in activities you enjoy, and lean on your support system. Celebrate small wins, like securing an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) or receiving positive [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Maintaining a healthy work-life balance (even while job searching) will help you stay motivated, resilient, and ultimately more effective in your pursuit of your next role. Overcoming [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) frustration is possible. By adopting these [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) tips, focusing your efforts, building meaningful connections, learning from each experience, using technology wisely, and prioritizing your well-being, you can navigate the challenges and significantly increase your chances of landing the job you’ve been working towards. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2025 [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Career Coach Office Hours: May 14 2024***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lvK) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Attitude/Mood, Text **Tags:** Beat Job Search Frustration: 5 Expert Tips --- ### [What a Late-Career Layoff Looks Like in America](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-a-late-career-layoff-looks-like-in-america/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # What a Late-Career Layoff Looks Like in America [*An executive summary of a WSJ article*](https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/heres-what-a-late-career-layoff-looks-like-in-america-in-5-charts-63f5c809?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwY2xjawLq80tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF5NkNRVjdCTFVXRzNxbzh5AR6gDBiH4YyyMxvp4bLln1WP-O6e55Q9k_yZFCELwOQi4IAhi6p5f92HQRHtUg_aem_86xN_ir5_BoAda_vceT-Yw) The Wall Street Journal article, “Here’s What a Late-Career Layoff Looks Like in America, in 5 Charts” highlights the significant challenges faced by older workers (ages 50-65) in the event of a layoff. Here are the key takeaways from the article: - **Increased Vulnerability and Financial Strain:** Older workers are more vulnerable to job loss, and when [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), face significant financial hardship, including potential income drops and the need to tap into retirement savings prematurely. Many have major financial obligations like mortgages and college bills. The typical older household’s income drops by 42% after one member leaves a job prematurely. - **Longer [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) and Reduced Pay:** Older workers often face longer periods of unemployment compared to younger counterparts. It takes nearly 26 weeks for those ages 55-64 to find a new job, compared to 19 weeks for individuals aged 25-34. When re-employed, older workers frequently experience significant pay cuts, averaging around 11%. Those who frequently work without benefits in their 50s and 60s end up with about 25% less retirement income than workers with benefits. - - **Impact on Retirement Security:** Layoffs can severely undermine retirement security as older workers may lose benefits, miss out on 401(k) or IRA contributions (including catch-up contributions for those 50 and older), and may be forced into earlier retirement than planned. - **[Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) and limited options:** [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) can be a barrier to re-employment for older workers. They are less likely to transition into new fields after a layoff, tending to remain in the same industries where they worked before losing their [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). - **Need for Proactive Planning:** The article underscores the importance of proactive retirement planning and building a strong financial cushion to mitigate the impact of potential late-career job loss. It emphasizes that the decision of when to retire may not always be a choice, [according to Copeland of the Employee Benefit Research Institute](https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/retirement/heres-what-a-late-career-layoff-looks-like-in-america-in-5-charts-63f5c809). The article emphasizes the need for individuals to prepare for these challenges and for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to address [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) and support older workers through these transitions. ***[5 Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 18, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/C32TzHzzwbw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Executive Summaries, Laid Off, Text --- ### [No BS Career Advice August 3, 2025](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-august-3-2025/) **Published:** August 4, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #jobsearchtips #interview #interviews #nobscareeradvice#ai #aijobsearch **Content:** # No BS Career Advice August 3, 2025 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”*–Sir Winston Churchill* --- 26 years ago, on August 1, 1999, my wife-to-be walked down the aisle of an Italian restaurant in Glen Cove, NY, and got married. It her second and my third. I learned to “interview better” in my personal life than I had previously, and we have been together as a couple through sickness and health. As has been the case for 25 of them, we have not been in the same country for 25 of them, but I’ll leave that story for another time. What’s important is that I learned to get better at connecting and was fearless in my behavior, two qualities I see in few job hunters The skills needed to find a job are different than those needed to do a job. You can get better at them. Practice, advice and the right information will help you get better so you don’t act as an amateur on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) as I did when I was dating. --- People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), although I do critique [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people find work. I have free information available at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). Also, scroll down to receive my Wednesday email with [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) advice. Becoming an Insider at any level gives you access to all my video courses, books and guides to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), the abililty to ask me questions and, if you choose an option above the lowest tier, you can receive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me, too. ### Have you built a Custom GPT? DM me if you have. I want to know of any surprises or disappointments you have. --- ### 15 Surprisingly Powerful ChatGPT Prompts Job Hunters Don’t Know About If you’re using [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), you’re probably asking it the same basic questions as everyone else. But what if you could tap into deeper, more strategic prompts—the kind that reveal hidden opportunities, strengthen your positioning, and help you stand out in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process? That’s what this list is all about. These 15 under-the-radar prompts are designed to help job seekers like you take full advantage of AI without sounding generic, robotic, or off-base. Whether you’re trying to make a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) pivot, [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) a better [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), or just get more callbacks, these prompts will give you a real edge. --- ### 🔍 STRATEGY & POSITIONING PROMPTS **1.** *“Act as a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager at \[target company\] for \[target job title\]. What kind of candidate would impress you the most?”* → Reveals what really matters to decision-makers. **2.** *“Based on this job posting, what is the hidden pain point the company is trying to solve?”* \[paste posting\] → Helps frame you as the solution. **3.** *“Summarize my background in 3 bullet points that match this job posting.”* \[paste [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) + job posting\] → Aligns your experience to their needs. --- ### 💬 NETWORKING & OUTREACH PROMPTS **4.** *“Write a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) message that reconnects me with a former coworker, positions me as [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and asks for leads—without sounding desperate.”* → Better [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) without awkwardness. **5.** *“Give me 3 conversation starters I can use at a virtual [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) event for professionals in \[industry\].”* → Builds rapport quickly and strategically. **6.** *“Create a short and humble [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) post announcing my [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) to my network, including the kind of role I want.”* → Activates your network without begging. --- ### 🧠 PERSONAL BRAND & ONLINE PRESENCE **7.** *“Rewrite my [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) ‘About’ section to reflect someone who is actively seeking a \[job title\] role in \[industry\], using a confident and warm tone.”* → Attract [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and build credibility. **8.** *“Suggest 5 content ideas I can post on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to show thought leadership in \[industry or role\].”* → Grow visibility and perceived expertise. **9.** *“Give me a catchy [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) headline that sells my transition from \[old role\] to \[new role\].”* → Sharpens your positioning in search. --- ### ✨ INTERVIEW PREP PROMPTS **10.** *“Based on this job posting, what are 5 likely behavioral [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions I’ll be asked?”* → Know what they’ll ask before they ask. **11.** *“Give me STAR-format answers to these questions using my background.”* \[paste 2-3 questions + [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)\] → Crafts strong, concise stories. **12.** *“What’s a strong, short answer to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) question: ‘Tell me about yourself’ tailored to this role?”* → Delivers a confident 30-second pitch. --- ### 📟 NEGOTIATION & FOLLOW-UP **13.** *“Draft a polite but firm email asking for an update on my job [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) for \[position\], sent 10 days ago.”* → Keeps you in the game. **14.** *“Write a response to a lowball [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) that expresses interest in the role but asks for an increase, using facts and tone that preserve goodwill.”* → Avoids leaving money on the table. **15.** *“Create a thank-you note after a second-round [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) that reinforces my interest, summarizes my value, and leaves a lasting impression.”* → Leaves a professional, lasting impression. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 202 --- ***Last week, I released new content in my blog, including:*** **A Chrome Extension to Find Out if a Company has Sponsored Someone** **Listen More. Talk Less: 7 Steps to Avoiding Obvious [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)** **Count Yourself Aware** **Why Do [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Ask How The [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Went?** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3OC**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3OC) **Self-Respect** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2n2**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2n2) **The 5 Essential Entrepreneurial Skills for [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g7z**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g7z) **When It Comes To [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), Recommendations, Skills And Endorsements Matter** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ebk**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ebk) **Use [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) to Write a Killer [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/)** [**https://youtu.be/vMlwN8cnBPg**](https://youtu.be/vMlwN8cnBPg) **How to Achieve [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g5F**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g5F) **7 Easy Steps to Write the Perfect [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Objective** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n6b**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-n6b) **Forget Putting [Objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/) on Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lO8**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lO8) **Tell Me Three Likes and Three Dislikes You Have About Your Current Firm** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bYo**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bYo) **Avoiding [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-xh**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-xh) **C Suite [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Prep: Conduct High-Quality Pre-Interview** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kSk**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kSk) **Track What You Do During Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-maC**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-maC) **You Can Learn A Big Lesson About [Your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) From How You Buy Detergent** [**https://youtu.be/WsomYlYY8OI**](https://youtu.be/WsomYlYY8OI) **Listen More. Talk Less: 7 Steps to Avoiding Obvious [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4S**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4S) **Count Yourself Aware** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fIZ**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fIZ) **Why Do [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Ask How The [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Went?** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3OC**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3OC) **Self-Respect** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2n2**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2n2) **The 5 Essential Entrepreneurial Skills for [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g7z**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g7z) **When It Comes To [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), Recommendations, Skills And Endorsements** **Matter** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ebk**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ebk) **Use [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) to Write a Killer Cover Lette**r **[LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): Director Accepted A Connection Request. Since? NO Reply? DO THIS!** **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): July 27, 2025** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvt**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvt) **Feeling LOST During Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)? Your Environment May Be Sabotaging You** **What To Tell The Agency [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to Work for You** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6Ds**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6Ds) **If You Must Go to a Job Fair, Here’s What To Do** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2Vp**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2Vp) **Ask Anything About [Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** [**https://youtu.be/QXJ3SZKfYL8**](https://youtu.be/QXJ3SZKfYL8) **Second [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Then SILENCE. What Does That Mean?** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvD**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvD) **The Layoff Journey** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvL**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvL) **Secret [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Red Flag!: “Wear Many Hats” = RUN!** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvR**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nvR) **Is It OK to [Refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) Someone to A [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) After Turning Down an Opportunity?** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bMm**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bMm) **Own Your Identity** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eIW**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eIW) **Tough [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Questions: What Makes You Effective?** [**https://youtu.be/E2GjfB4Hoa0**](https://youtu.be/E2GjfB4Hoa0) **Leadership and [Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-goQ**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-goQ) **[Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) Lessons from Your Local Supermarket** **How to Create a Great [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Headshot from a Selfie** **Think Back to Your First Job. How Did You Learn The Ropes?** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6D4**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6D4) **Why Do Companies and [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Want to Know My Past [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)?** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5oc**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5oc) **Functional [Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/)?** **Consistency is Key in Personal [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lPS**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lPS) **The 10-Step Guide To Making A [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Transition** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD) **7 Psychological Techniques to Get the [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Manager To Like You** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f1w**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-f1w) **Executive Compensation [Red Flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/): Vague Goals = Comp Disaster** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nwF**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nwF) **Pre-Interview [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Gq**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-Gq) **[Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) and [Your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/)** [**https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dR0**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dR0) **More Phone [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Tips for Job Hunters** [**https://youtu.be/SPux7KuhxAI**](https://youtu.be/SPux7KuhxAI) --- **Schedule a free discovery call with me at** [**www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule**](http://www.thebiggamehunter.us/schedule) **to discuss my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with you. I don’t bite . . . at least not too hard.** **Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice** Radio in Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Every Monday, I release a new episode. Become an Insider at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/) and have your questions answered, receive [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me, plus access to all my video courses, books, and guides. \#BeGreat ***[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*** ***The Game Hunter*** 🔥 *No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is where professionals like you get direct, practical guidance without fluff.* 🔔 **Subscribe** to stay sharp on [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), negotiation, [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) and more 👇 ***Drop a comment: What have you don***e ***with AI in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)? Add it to the comments and help others.*** **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice August 3 2025 --- ### [Secret Executive Networking and Branding Hack #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/secret-executive-networking-and-branding-hack-shorts/) **Published:** July 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Speaking without selling builds your credibility and gives you a natural way of turning passive visibility into active opportunities for your executive career. **Content:** # Secret Executive Networking and Branding Hack #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/04vUTWa6viw)*** Unlock a powerful executive [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-your-linkedin-network-fast-shorts/) and [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/branding-and-networking-for-digital-pros-and-others-jobsearchtv-com/) strategy you might be overlooking: speaking engagements! Learn how speaking without selling builds your credibility and gives you a natural way of turning passive visibility into active opportunities for your executive [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). [***One Thing You Should Do More Often***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lVU) If you’re tired of sending cold emails and going to awkward [networking events](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-network-at-a-virtual-meeting-or-network-event-jobsearchtv-com/), what if I told you there’s a way to get warm leads reaching out to you, opportunities arriving in your InMails, in your emails, by text, and all forms of way reaching out to you? **I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)**. People hire me for NO BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) globally because I make the process of finding work and succeeding at it much easier. If you’ve got credentials, put yourself out there. Speak on panels, become a guest on podcasts, webinars, alumni events. Because what this does is a couple of things. Number one, it **positions you as a thought leader** without pitching yourself. It gives you a reason to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-master-follow-ups/) with the attendees, panelists, or organizers, [people who know](https://thebiggamehunter.us/knowing-people-out-of-sequence-career-angles/) your name and your voice. You can start locally before you branch out from there, and I know a number of people who followed this advice and they’ve had great results with it. The long and the short of it is you want to be seen as the **[expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) in your area of expertise** and that requires you be **visible**. The more **visible** you get, the more **AI is also going to be able to help you become even more visible**, not just simply for this search, but for many years to come. I have a lot of great content available at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). Go to the site. I’ve got free stuff on the homepage. Become an insider. Hire me at one of the more senior tiers, more expensive tiers, because frankly, we’ll [spend more time](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-dont-need-to-spend-so-much-time-job-hunting/) and I’ll be able to help you that much more. ### [***Avoid Negative Words and Phrases in Job Interviews***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kfI) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-5-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[The Myth of the Passive Candidate](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k2w)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jUm) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as training data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Executive/ C Suite Search, Networking **Tags:** Secret Executive Networking and Branding Hack --- ### [Is It Better If My Cover Letter Is Informal? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-better-if-my-cover-letter-is-informal-shorts/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Should I Write an Informal or Formal Cover Letter? **Content:** # Is It Better If My Cover Letter Is Informal? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/42ixV3opOCI) Should I Write an Informal or Formal [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/)? [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Cover Letters, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Should I Write an Informal or Formal Cover Letter? --- ### [Your Former Employer Won’t Let People Write Recommendations](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-former-employer-wont-let-employees-write-linkedin-recommendations/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I hate when companies pull this crap after a layoff. This what to do if they do. **Content:** # Your Former Employer Won’t Let Employees Write LinkedIn Recommendations **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/ruqTZge1Qyk) I hate when companies pull this crap after a layoff. This is what to do if they do. [***How Do You Find a Job When You Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/)? Over 60? [Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)? Never Forget This*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, LinkedIn **Tags:** Your Former Employer Won’t Let Employees Write LinkedIn Recommendations --- ### [Blogging](https://thebiggamehunter.us/blogging/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There are thousands of blogs that are related to your field of work and many of them are written by thought leaders and decision-makers in your field.  **Content:** # Blogging **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** There are thousands of blogs that are related to your field of work and many of them are written by thought leaders and decision-makers in your field. Blogs are also a way for people to become known and to showcase their talents to the world. It is a cheap and easy way to promote yourself so that you, too, can get ahead in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Human resource managers are now aware of this and scan blogs as a part of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process at many firms. Create a blog for yourself. You can use WordPress or Blogger to do so (I started with Blogger and graduated to WordPress). These platforms are free to use and easy to set up and customize. The blog can be used to (and they are in no particular order): · Differentiate yourself from the competition · **Showcase your expertise in your field**. In your work, you will have Several good ideas that help your company. Unfortunately, you don’t always get the credit for it. Sometimes it is because you’re too far down the food chain and, sometimes it is because your idea is not big enough. It may still be a good idea. So, put it in your blog. Be careful not to post it while the idea is being implemented. You don’t want competitors to know what competitive intelligence might be damaging to your current employer. That could get you [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/). Use your discretion and write your posts in a way that shows your expertise without getting you into trouble. · **Talk about industry trends in your field.** This will show you as having an understanding of your industry that may appeal to managers who are looking to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone. For some, it may give them the idea that you bigger potential than most. After all, the difference between a mid-level and a top-level manager is often not the number of years spent at a job; it is foresight and understanding of the industry which enables good long-term decision-making that positively impacts a company’s future. As someone they don’t know, it provides insight into you that remains unknown in other potential competitors for a job and thus gives you an advantage. · **Be a resource.** There are thousands of job seekers with 15-20 years of experience. So what? What makes you different? If you can be a resource for other people within your industry through your blog, you will be different. Gone are the days where information was power. Today, sharing information is also power. If you use your blog to impart knowledge and interact with people within your industry and provide them with good advice, you will do a lot more than many of your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) competitors are doing while proving to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers that you are resourceful and are willing to help others. · **Grow your professional network.** Blogging regularly and putting up quality posts will do that. A good quality network will open up opportunities for you. When you impress people within your network, they will not hesitate to put forward your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for upcoming positions. The more opportunities you have open up for you, the better the odds of landing a great job. Now that you’re ready to set up your blog, it is time to take some final precautions. There are certain dos and don’ts that you need to keep in mind. This will not only help you to stand out as a professional but as a blogger as well. **Dos** 1\. **Include links to your up-to-date [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/).** If people like your blog, they may want to know about your background, contact you, and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) you. Putting a link on your site to your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) may also give you the added benefit of getting more traffic to your website and another opportunity for people to learn more about you. Include links to a Word and a [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) version of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). 2\. **Include links to your social networks**. Just as you use your website to promote your social network, you can use blogs to do the same. People like to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people they “know” or think they know. Now, you may not be able to go around becoming friends with everybody, but you can use your social networks and other avenues to give people an insight into who you are. When people read your blog and see your social networks, they get to know about your personality and feel like they know you better and trust you more. 3\. **Be analytical in your posts.** Portray yourself as an organized person and a problem solver. Since it is your blog, you get to pick the topic of every post, thereby controlling the conversation. Use this to your advantage. For example, blog about issues within your industry and break them down. Use your judgment to analyze the problem and show steps on how you would approach it. The problem doesn’t have to be major. Simple issues will work, as long as you portray clear thinking and/or out of the box thinking. 4\. **Share insights into your personal life.** People don’t [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people. Talk about your family and your personal life. Give interesting anecdotes from your life and family and talk about moments that touched you. Express yourself and your emotions without being an extremist, alarming, or appearing like a crackpot. This is a great tribute to your family and it shows your future coworkers your character. At the end of the day, people work so that they can provide a better life for their families and that is where their priority should be, so should yours. 5\. **Be respectful of others.** Sometimes, your personal opinions may be fine with you but may offend others. You don’t want to do this during a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), or really at any time. Yes, freedom of speech is important but by holding back on your blog, you are not impeding on that freedom. You are showing better judgment that doesn’t harm you in the long run. 6\. **Keep your blog up-to-date**. If your blog is interesting, people will want more; give the people what they want. However, if you post occasionally, people won’t come back as often. Post at least once or twice a week and, on other days, [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) links to articles that others have written that are appropriate for your topic. 7\. **Interact with your readers.** If someone posts something, respond to them. This will help you to build a relationship with them and show them that their opinion is important to you. If you make other people feel important, they appreciate you more. 8\. **Organize your blog.** Separate the professional section, personal section, and family section of the blog. This shows people that all aspects are important but that you have boundaries between each. No one likes coworkers whose personal life overlaps their professional life. Portray this through your blog. **Don’ts** 1\. **Don’t say anything critical about previous [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/).** Not doing this shows poor character and forces people to ask the question: “If he is saying something bad about that person behind their back, what would he be saying about me when I’m not around?” There are other repercussions, too. Your previous employer may have contacts at your future job or may be called for a reference. If they see your blog, they can adversely affect your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Remember, your blog is public, so anyone can see it. Critical things said about people spread quickly and, at some point, the criticized people will know about it. 2\. **Don’t promote your blog if it’s not up to date.** This is unprofessional and turns off visitors. A person can be very detail-oriented and have great concentration, but when they are online, they have the concentration of a 5-year-old. If they don’t get what they want in your blog, they will go away within a few seconds and never come back. Think of it this way, you wouldn’t invite people to your house and then not be there, would you? Similarly, you shouldn’t invite people to your blog if you have nothing new o interesting to say. 3\. **Don’t discuss politics, religion, or sex.** We are a part of a diverse workforce today. There are people with differing political views, religions, and an equal number of men and women at workplaces today. The last thing you want to do is to offend someone. You never know when it will come back to hurt you. Many people believe they should be allowed to express their opinion and, in a way, they are right. But there is a time and a place for everything. This includes politics, religion, and sex. Your blog is supposed to help you find a job, not promote sexual deviance, a political or social agenda, or evangelize about your religious beliefs unless you desire to only work for companies that completely adhere to your beliefs and opinions. Unless you are willing to lose job opportunities because of your beliefs, don’t post messages that might turn off people with different beliefs than yours. 4\. **Don’t post inappropriate pictures.** Remember what I told you about cleaning up your closet? Don’t make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of cleaning your closet and then dirtying it up again. **![Jello shot](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jello-shot.jpg)Not exactly a good photo for your blog** 5\. **Don’t monetize your blog.** You are not blogging to make money. You’re blogging to showcase your personality and to find a job. Monetizing your blog will take people away from your blog site and that defeats the purpose . . . all for a few cents of Adsense revenue or affiliate revenue. 6\. **Don’t discuss work secrets or issues with co-workers.** We covered this earlier as well. While a topic of discussion may not seem important to you, it may be really important to your current or past employer. You may inadvertently be letting out company secrets. This may bring you legal trouble and show future [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) that you cannot be confided in. 7\. **Keep it short and simple.** Your posts should be precise and to the point. No one has the time to read on and on. You don’t want people to think that you are boring or repetitive. Oh! Spellcheck and grammar check everything! ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in people’s [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. 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He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? 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Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Blog, Text **Tags:** blogging --- ### [If You Aren't Getting Results from Interviews #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-getting-results-from-interviews-shorts/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** People develop a bad habit when they aren't getting results from interviews. **Content:** # If You Aren’t Getting Results from Interviews #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** People develop a bad habit when they aren’t getting results from [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews --- ### [Interview Mistakes: Not Addressing a Concern Proactively](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** One of the mistakes people make is not addressing an interviewer's concerns proactively when you sense they exist. **Content:** # Interview Mistakes: Not Addressing a Concern Proactively #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/0nTmPdGxY1Q) One of the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is not addressing an interviewer’s concerns proactively when you sense they exist. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, #Shorts, Mistakes **Tags:** Interview Mistakes: Not Addressing a Concern Proactively --- ### [Sabotaging Yourself During a Presentation or Job Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** EP 1723 Whether you are presenting a speech to a group or being interviewed for a job, what you wear makes a difference. **Content:** # Sabotaging Yourself During a Presentation or Job Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter\]](https://JobSearch.Community)** Whether you are presenting a speech to a group or being interviewed for a job, what you wear makes a difference. It and your manner can put you over the top, or distract the listener to distraction. This is No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, episode 1723. I thought I’d be goofy there. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and welcome. This shows a little bit different. I do periodic [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with people just because I think they compliment the work that I do and they have something to give differently than I might [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) because they’re better at it than I am. And today, I [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) a woman named Barry Barton from standanddeliverashfield.com about how people [sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) themselves during an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) or a presentation in a couple of different ways. Hope you find this helpful. Hope you enjoy it. And let’s get going, okay? And I have a guest today, Barry Barton, who’s the head of a firm called standanddeliverashfield.com at standanddeliverashfield.com. And what she helps people do is improve their presentation skills, which I think is very important for [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). As her website says, make an impact, convey [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), and command the world. Barry, thanks for making time. It’s great to see you. Hi, Jeff. Nice to be here. Thank you. So, you worked in theater, you worked in dance. How did that shape your view of this? So, I actually come from a dancer background. That is my [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) for many, many years. But I had an actor friend and he said that a director that he worked with had them put on during rehearsal, just learning their lines and learning about their character, had them put on two distinct costume items. One was the shoes of the character and one was the hat of the character. Well, looky there. And the putting on, I mean, there’s so many metaphors with that, but putting on these two costume items shifted them into the persona of that character. And I think all of us have experienced something like that when we put on a certain set of clothing, a certain style of clothing, we feel a certain way. We feel empowered or we feel sloppy or relaxed or like I got my play dress on. It gives us a sense of who we are and what we’re getting ready to do. You betcha it does. And when I think about an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), when I think about a presentation, I expect that much the same thing happens for people as well. That once they step into what I nicknamed their battle regalia, they kind of shapeshift into what that person is going to be like as they put on their performance. Is that what you say? Yes, so that’s from the interviewee person or the presenter. So there’s an experience that I’m having when I dress in a certain way, when I put that little special extra touch on my sleeves or my collar or whatever it is, I experience a boost in my [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) or a sense of who I am getting ready to stand up in front of a group of people. And on the other side, the audience gets a sense of something as well because they’re not just listening to you. There’s, again, if I go back to theater, there is a whole visual, emotional, auditory experience happening simultaneously. And when actors and directors and anybody that’s putting on a production, you’re looking at sound, you’re looking at lights, you’re looking at costuming, you’re looking at every little detail about how to create an experience for your audience. So you can really dive deep into this particular subject matter. But of course, in our busy lives, we want to just kind of keep it simple and doable. You betcha. And you may not know this, but I always prepare people as part of my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). And I talk about the theater of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), because there is a performance that a person puts on that allows them to be the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) version of themselves for the audience. Yeah. And there’s, you know, and I talk about this in my learning labs, is that there’s this interesting paradox that we’re always sort of existing in is that we want to go in [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) and think about these elements. But we also just want to go in and kind of just let go into the flow of the moment so that we can just be relaxed to who we are. So there’s both. There’s that ability to let go and relax and just be you. But there’s also that being intentional about the experience that you want your audience to have. And so that requires forethought and some planning ahead. You betcha. And again, going back to [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), it’s obvious when someone’s doing public speaking, but in [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a lot of folks, they don’t really think that way. They may practice the answers to the questions. Maybe. Right. Maybe. Most of the time, they walk in and wing it as though this is an improv class. And it’s unfortunate. But again, going back to costuming, what one wears, how one presents and how one rehearses, goes a long way toward how well the performance is received. Yes. And also other things as well. So, for example, if you walk in, you know, and I haven’t been in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) in decades, but if you walk into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), let’s just say with a water bottle, that’s a squeezy bottle and you have to kind of slip on it like a baby’s bottle. Or even have that as a presenter on stage. That’s going to give a very different impression than, again, going to the presenter on stage. If you have kind of a clear, classy glass of water, easy to pick up, easy to put down. Those kinds of props. Let’s just say your interviewee goes by McDonald’s and gets a cup of coffee and he’s got it in his hand in the waiting room. Well, you know, I don’t know. I don’t know. And that’s also the thing is that we can’t assume necessarily that something is going to make a particular impression. We don’t know. And so it’s important to just make sure that you’re not giving any mixed messages about who you are and what you’re capable of. You bet. And I know there are ways that people can distract an audience. Could you give one or two examples of things that are distracting, whether someone’s a presenter or being interviewed? Well, I just worked with this one woman and she had this constant shifting of her hair. Out of the way. And it was, you know, this nervous habit. And as soon as she became aware of it, she was able to slow that down. So those sort of little nonverbal gestures. Another woman I worked with was [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) herself and had it. It was so subtle, but she kind of kept lifting her shoulders up. And it was kind of like she was going, I don’t know. My name is, I don’t know. It was not that noticeable. But again, so much of our nonverbal gesturing or body language is subconsciously received. I know there was someone I coached last week who, when answering a question from me as part of a mock [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), he was going like this as he was answering the question. And I did a time out with him to say, are you aware that what you’re doing is answering the question and telling me no? Yes. Folks, we do this all the time. And it’s very useful to be on camera to notice these things. So, encouragement. If you work with someone, have a recording done, as I do for the people that I coach. How about with the costume? Are there ways that people [sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/8-ways-job-hunters-their-own-search/) themselves with how they dress for a presentation or dress for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Yeah, absolutely. I had an experience recently where I did a presentation. It was about 150 people in the audience. And it was a personal story. It was at an organization worldwide called Bachaca Cha. And I wore a scarf around my neck. It was a very bulky scarf. And it was, I looked at the video and it was not a good choice on my part to wear that. I was told I should wear it so I could hide the earpiece. But I would have much preferred to have the earpiece shown and have the opening of my throat in my neck available for my audience. And for guys, we don’t have to deal with that. We have the tie, the distracting tie. Remember the days of the [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) ties or the flounder ties, guys? God, those were awful, but people wore them as though that was good. Trust me, any nonsense along those lines is awful. So, if you have a wife, husband or partner that can guide you, folks, take some input from a trusted advisor who only has your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) interests at heart. So, we’ve spoken about some negatives. What should people do instead? If you were giving some tips about positive things that folks could do, what might they be? The first question I instruct my clients to ask when they’re getting ready to do a presentation is, who is your audience? So, it’s knowing firsthand, [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) is just knowing who you’re going to be in front of. And so that, again, you’re not necessarily [giving up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-almost-gave-up/) who you are, how you dress, to fit in, but that there’s an alignment, that you’re not mismatched with your audience, or you’re the person that’s [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you, or the business that’s [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you. So, I think it requires, again, it’s about forethought and pre-planning to align yourself, dress, language, on all levels, so that you can be received well and easily. Are there suggestions for women versus men that you might have in terms of dress or little details that could be problematic? Right. So, of course, if you’re on stage, especially if you’re mic’d, and women have to sometimes wear a lot of bracelets, or jingly, dangly, noise-making jewelry, that is definitely something you want to avoid. If you are on stage with lights, the lights will pick up on your jewelry, and it will create a beautiful light show for your audience, but it will also be very distracting. So, reduce the amount of jewelry that you have on you when you are on stage, especially with lights. I’m going to leap in on the job applicant side of this, and that could be true there as well, because you don’t know the lighting that you’re stepping into. Certain types of lighting, for example, I have a window directly in front of me, which is good for lighting at my face, but if I were wearing earrings here, an ugly look for me, I must admit, and they were dangling a little bit, it could be distracting because there’ll be a glimmer there that might take someone’s eyes off of my face. You know, it’s so interesting because when I was a dancer, we would, before we would go on stage, it was always sort of the tag check, or dancers would always cut the tags out of their leotards, or their costume, or their tights, or whatever, because you have a tag hanging out, and women know this really well, that is what the audience’s attention seems to go to. It’s the thing that’s out of place, rather than all of the other pieces that are in place. And so, those little, again, those little tiny details of, again, if you’re going into a high executive kind of business, you know, you want to make sure there’s a balance in your shirt, and there’s not, nothing is sort of cattywampa, they want to see somebody. Could you translate that one for me? Cattywampa. Cockeyed was the language I was brought up with. There you go. Cattywampa, that’s a new one for me. Balance, you know, they want a balanced look. So yeah, it’s those little tiny details. I once did a speech, and I had a flap, a pocket, that was unsnapped in the back, and it was just sticking out, and my, this was in Toastmasters, and an evaluator said that was distracting. So, great speech, great presentation, practiced it really hard, but by golly, he made it my darn flap on my pants. And I know women are more the target of that kind of stuff than men are. Men will often give another man a pass, but where a woman’s involved, often it gets picked on. I always tell this story of many years ago, this a woman who I submitted to a client was being interviewed, great appearance, presentation, blonde, wore a gold suit at a time that that would have been stylish. And the [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) talked about, [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), unquote, the light bulb. Yeah. And that kind of harsh nonsense shows up. And in one respect, it’s better that she not have gotten the job to have worked at a place that had that kind of attitude toward her. On the other hand, you want to have the choice. So, I always think in terms of, for women in particular, how she can wind up presenting in a way that she’s at her [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) and is in the position to make the choice. Are there any warnings or hesitations that you have for men and how they costume themselves? That’s a little bit more of a challenge for me. You know, of course, check your zipper. In an article that I wrote, it said, check it twice. You know, that your belt is belted in and looped in. Again, I’m going to say this again, it depends on your audience. And there’s, you know, some places that you can go and you can have your shirt out. There’s places that you don’t want to have your shirt out. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) And it’s, again, it’s about you doing that kind of [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) to know who am I going up in front of? What might they expect? How can I align with that and feel comfortable and proud of who I am walking in that door? Agree. Barry, this has been terrific. How can folks, excuse me while I turn that one off. How can folks get a hold of you? So, I am at standanddeliverashville.com and on Facebook, as well. Facebook.com standanddeliverashville.com. Yes. Super. Yes. Barry, thank you so much for making time today. I really appreciate it. Yes. So, that’s today’s show. I hope you found it helpful. And if you did, here are a few more ways to get more from me. First of all, there’s my website, which is TheBigGameHunter.us. I have more than 8,000 blog posts there that you can watch, listen to or read that will help you find your next job. In addition, if you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you, at the site, there’s a button there that says schedule. Schedule time for a free discovery call. Schedule yourself in for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) preparation [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation advice. How to have your questions answered or [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) related to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively. Managing and leading. Helping you be a better executive in your organization and, overall, being a better employee of your firm. You can also connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com forward slash IN forward slash TheBigGameHunter. Mention that you watch or listen to my content. I like knowing I’m helping folks. Once we’re connected, if you’re interested in [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), let me know. I think it’s easier at the website but if that’s the way you want to do it, so be it. Lastly, join my group on Facebook called [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Angles. It’s focused on helping you do better at work. Information there is shared daily and I’m attempting to build a supportive group there. Ask to join. I’m not letting [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) in so I want to make it a safe place for everyone. I’ll be back tomorrow with more and, in the meantime, I hope you have a great day. Be great! [***How to Answer The Bizarre Scenario Interview Question***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-PN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** appearance, Appearance Matters, Sabotaging Yourself During a Presentation or Job Interview --- ### [6 Second Job Search Tips: Stress #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six-second job search tip about managing your stress. **Content:** # 6 Second Job Search Tips: Stress **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/XERsZ2sZ52E) A six-second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tip about managing your [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/). [***The 10-Step Guide To Making A Career Transition***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD) #### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/career-coach-office-hours-september-7-2021-part-2-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Attitude/Mood **Tags:** Stress --- ### [Your 5% Raise May Still Have You Losing Money #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Let me explain why a 5% raise may still have you losing money. **Content:** # Your 5% Raise May Still Have You Losing Money #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/7tR1IjkBuZk) Let me explain why a 5% raise may still have you losing money. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques ⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Salary/Comp Negotiation, #Shorts **Tags:** Your 5% Raise May Still Have You Losing Money --- ### [The H-1B Job Switching Playbook](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-h-1b-job-switching-playbook/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you are planning a corporate move or navigating a layoff on a visa, you cannot afford to miss these rules. **Content:** # The H-1B Job Switching Playbook **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Switching [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) on an H-1B visa is not a simple HR update; it is a high-stakes legal process where a single timing [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) can end your legal residency. This episode busts the terrifying rumors about the 2026 visa fees, exposes why the B-2 visitor visa bridge is dead, and gives you the exact blueprint to protect [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). If you are planning a corporate move or navigating a layoff on a visa, you cannot afford to miss these rules. [***Navigating the New H-1B Visa: Complete Guide to Fees, Rules, and High-Skilled Work in the U.S.***](https://amzn.to/4vJDfTM) You have a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) from a better company. Or worse, you’ve just been [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/). The 60-day grace period is counting down. The pressure to transition your H-1B visa is immense. To add to the panic, there is widespread fear regarding the new $100,000 fee mandated in 2026. The reality is, if you are already inside the United States on a valid status, this fee does not apply to you. It is strictly for international applicants requiring consular processing. The actual challenge you face is navigating the updated 2026 rules to switch [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) without accidentally falling out of legal status or triggering deportation proceedings. A safe job transition is entirely possible. You just need to stop relying on outdated internet rumors and understand the strict sequential mechanics of how the legal framework operates right now. First, we need to clarify what an H-1B transfer actually is. The term itself is dangerously misleading. Your current employer hands absolutely nothing over to your new employer. Instead, your new company must file a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) new, from scratch H-1B petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. This creates a critical vulnerability gap. During this transition, your legal right to remain in the country is entirely dependent on correct timing and your new company’s competence in filing government paperwork. The mechanism that makes this possible without reentering the annual visa lottery is called AC21 portability. If you treat an H-1B transfer like a simple HR paperwork update, you are highly likely to make a timing error that costs you your legal residency in the United States. Most candidates start their search by endlessly scrolling through standard online job boards, looking for any listing that includes the phrase “open to sponsorship.” [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to these generic postings often wastes weeks of your time. Many companies will string you along through multiple [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) rounds, only to back out once their human resources department realizes the actual legal costs and timelines involved. You need a different approach. You should target companies using verified government data, specifically the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub and Department of Labor disclosure files. This chart compares the high failure rate of generic job boards against the much higher [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) rate of targeting companies with a proven history of paying immigration fees. By running a company’s name through these databases, you can immediately verify if they are active sponsors. Once you have an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with a verified sponsor, state your exact visa status and timeline boldly during the very first screening call. Filtering out legally unequipped companies on day one protects you from catastrophic [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) retractions late in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. Before you can safely resign from your current job, your new employer must complete a strict sequence of paperwork. Step one is filing a Labor Condition [Application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), or LCA, with the Department of Labor. This timeline illustrates the process, starting with the LCA filing. There is a mandatory 7-day waiting period before further action. The LCA proves the new job pays the prevailing wage and qualifies as a specialty occupation. Only after the LCA is certified can the employer file the I-129 petition with USCIS. The exact moment when USCIS issues an I-129 receipt notice is the point where you gain legal protection. If you resign from your current job before that I-129 receipt notice is physically in your hands, you create an illegal [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) gap. Once the I-129 is filed, you have a choice to make regarding your start date. The first option relies on AC21 portability, allowing you to legally start working at the new company the exact day USCIS receives the petition. The tradeoff for this speed is severe. If USCIS eventually denies the petition months later, your legal status vanishes instantly, and you must stop working immediately. The security option is paying $2,965 for premium processing. This forces USCIS to make a final decision on the petition within 15 business days. This comparison matrix contrasts the two methods. AC21 portability offers an immediate start but carries high risk, while premium processing requires a 15-day wait but provides zero risk at a high financial cost. The choice between immediate speed and guaranteed security should dictate exactly how aggressively you [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your start date with human resources. ***[The H1B Layoff Survival Guide 2026: Your 60-Day Action Plan Don’t Panic. You Have Options. Here’s What to Do. ](https://amzn.to/4xYSVUw)*** If you’ve been [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), the pressure is even higher. Your 60-day grace period is expiring, and you might not have a new job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in hand. Historically, candidates in this position would file for a B-2 visitor visa to bridge the gap, buying extra time to stay in the country and hunt for a job. In 2026, adjudicators are aggressively shutting down this loophole. USCIS is heavily denying these B-2 [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), explicitly citing active [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) as an impermissible intent. Relying on a B-2 bridge in 2026 is a dangerous [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) that can cause your status to collapse, triggering removal proceedings and forcing immediate deportation. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for an H-1B [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Your next steps depend entirely on which of three distinct profiles you fit into in the current market. This matrix aligns three profiles to their optimal strategy. The Upgrader has leverage—demand premium processing. The laid-off Scrambler must file under AC21 portability before day 60, avoiding the B-2 [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). The Transitioner, leaving academia, cannot transfer and must enter the wage-weighted lottery. Identifying your specific scenario upfront is the only way to turn confusing immigration law into a precise, actionable [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) strategy. To help you execute your strategy, visit JobSearch.Community. By becoming an insider, you’ll receive direct [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). The site offers video courses, books, and guides to help you navigate [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), as well as the option to purchase individual products and services à la carte. If this was helpful, please share, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel so this information can reach and help other people navigating the immigration system. [***Landing Job in 40 Days: Job Search Techniques***](https://amzn.to/3Qtr4Ly) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** H-1b, Text **Tags:** The H-1B Job Switching Playbook --- ### [6 Second Job Search Tips: Applications #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six-second job search tip about applications **Content:** # 6 Second Job Search Tips: Applications #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)‘** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/_7nLPlPu9bM) A six-second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tip about [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) [***The Importance Of Personal Branding In The Workplace***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hzg) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/)? Over 60? [Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)? Never Forget This*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** Applications, #Shorts **Tags:** Applications --- ### [Selling Fractional Work: From Contract to C-Suite](https://thebiggamehunter.us/selling-fractional-work-from-contract-to-c-suite/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** **Selling [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Work: From Contract to C-Suite** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. For the college-educated professional, the challenge is no longer a lack of information, but an abundance of noise. As [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and internal talent acquisition teams increasingly lean on automated systems to filter high-level talent, the modern executive must pivot from being a passive subject of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to an active practitioner of it. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in an [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) isn’t about letting a bot write your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/); it’s about using data-driven insights to sharpen your value proposition, optimize your digital footprint, and reclaim your most valuable asset: **time.** ### 1. Architectural Integrity: AI-Enhanced Resume Optimization At the executive level, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is a strategic document, not a chronological list of duties. However, even the most impressive C-suite CV can fall victim to an [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) if it lacks the proper semantic structure. - **Beyond Keyword Stuffing:** Use LLMs (Large Language Models) to perform a gap analysis between your current [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and the specific requirements of a target JD (Job Description). - **The “Context” Prompt:** Instead of asking [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to “write my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/),” ask it to: *“Analyze this job description for a VP of Operations and identify the five most critical pain points this role is intended to solve. Then, highlight which of my attached achievements [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) address those pain points.”* - **The Result:** You move from a generic list of accomplishments to a targeted “solution” document that speaks the language of both the algorithm and the human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). ### 2. Digital Presence as a Data Point [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is no longer just a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) site; it is a database that [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) query using specific parameters. For the college-educated leader, your profile must satisfy the “Vector Search” logic that modern platforms use. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools can help you analyze your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) “Social Selling Index” or similar metrics to see how you rank against peers. More importantly, you can use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to maintain a consistent executive voice. By feeding an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) examples of your past writing (speeches, memos, or articles), you can generate high-level commentary on industry trends that sounds like *you*, ensuring your profile remains active and favored by the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) algorithm without requiring hours of manual content creation. ***[The Fractional Leader’s Playbook](https://amzn.to/4aTV3n2)*** ### 3. Market Intelligence and Competitive Mapping One of the most powerful—yet underutilized—applications of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is **competitive intelligence**. Before an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), an executive should know the target company better than some of its employees. - **Sentiment Analysis:** Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to aggregate and analyze recent earnings call transcripts, Glassdoor reviews, and news cycles to identify the company’s “internal weather.” - **Predictive Analytics:** Use tools to track executive movements within your industry. AI-driven platforms can often predict which companies are likely to have a leadership vacuum based on stock performance, recent mergers, or historical turnover patterns. - **Strategic Prep:** Ask an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to act as a “Skeptical Board Member.” Feed it the company’s recent challenges and ask it to generate the toughest questions you might face regarding fiscal stewardship or cultural transformation. ### 4. The Human-AI Hybrid Interview The [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) remains the ultimate human-centric gate, but [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can be your most effective rehearsal coach. Advanced [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) voice tools can now conduct mock [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), providing real-time [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) on: - **Pacing and Tone:** Are you speaking with the gravitas expected of a senior leader? - **Conciseness:** Are your answers following a structured framework (like STAR or SHARE), or are you meandering? - **[Confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) Scores:** Some tools analyze facial expressions and vocal tremors to help you project more authority. ### The Ethical Edge: A Note of Caution While [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is a force multiplier, it is not a substitute for executive judgment. Over-reliance on AI-generated text can lead to a “homogenized” professional identity—a death knell for a role that requires unique visionary leadership. The goal of using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) in your search is to **automate the administrative and the analytical**, so you can **humanize the relational.** By letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) handle the keyword optimization and the data scraping, you free up your calendar for the high-stakes coffee meetings, the boardroom presentations, and the deep [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) that ultimately close executive deals. ### Final Strategy In 2026, the most sought-after leaders are not those who ignore [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), nor those who are replaced by it. They are the leaders who demonstrate **[AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Fluency**—the ability to direct technology to achieve strategic outcomes. Starting your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with an AI-integrated workflow is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to prove you are ready to lead in the modern era. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[6 Tactics for 55+ Year-Old Job Hunters](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jNR)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, Fractional Work/Consulting, Gigs/Part Time, Text **Tags:** Selling Fractional Work: From Contract to C-Suite --- ### [The Private Equity PortCo Playbook](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-private-equity-portco-playbook/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There is a specific, high-leverage corridor where traditional applicant tracking systems carry almost zero weight **Content:** ## Backdoor Protocol: The Private Equity PortCo Playbook **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You already know the front door of the executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to an online portal, you are letting a machine dictate your market value. And as we broke down in my analysis of **The [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) Architecture**, large enterprise databases aren’t designed to find talent. They are built to automate elimination. If you try to fight a legacy relational database on its own turf, a single missing hyphen or keyword string will trigger a knockout rule and dump you into the auto-reject bucket. But there is a specific, high-leverage corridor where traditional [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) carry almost zero weight: **The Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [Portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Company (PortCo) ecosystem.** When an investment firm acquires a mid-market business, they operate on an aggressive three-to-five-year horizon to create value, scale operations, or execute a turnaround. They do not have the luxury of waiting for human resource departments to sift through a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) portal. They need immediate execution. To bypass the machine entirely, you need to step out of the corporate applicant pool and target the exact operators who manage these assets. Here is the clinical, no-BS strategy for executing the PortCo Playbook. ### 1. Mapping the Operating Partners Most job seekers make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of targeting traditional venture capitalists or investment analysts. These professionals handle deal sourcing, capital allocation, and financial modeling; they are rarely involved in the day-to-day organizational scaling of the companies they buy. You need to target the **Operating Partners** (sometimes designated as Venture Partners or [Portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Operations Leads). Operating Partners are former executives—ex-COOs, ex-VPs of Engineering, and seasoned financial operators—hired by the private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firm specifically to oversee their acquisitions. They function as internal management consultants and executive matchmakers. When a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company is missing a key piece of infrastructure or suffering from operational drag, the Operating Partner is the one tasked with fixing it. They maintain an active, private roll of trusted talent that completely bypasses traditional corporate recruiting funnels. If an Operating Partner introduces you to a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company CEO, you do not apply through an [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). You go straight to the final round [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). ### 2. Identifying the Acquisition Friction Operating Partners do not respond to generic [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) requests or pitches about your past biography. To secure their attention, your outreach must lead with uncompromised, localized value. You need to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) the private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firms that specialize in your specific domain. Use public market tracking tools, financial news releases, or dedicated platform searches on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to track their recent acquisitions. Look for companies that were acquired between six and eighteen months ago. This is the critical window where the initial strategic audit is complete, the legacy bottlenecks have been identified, and the pressure to execute is at its absolute peak. Once you isolate a target [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company, analyze its public footprint to diagnose its friction point. Is it struggling with supply chain globalization? Is it a legacy hardware business attempting to transition into a recurring SaaS model? Is it trying to integrate disparate data silos after an add-on merger? Cross-reference this corporate friction with your own core competence engine. ### 3. The Low-Friction Value Hook When you reach out to an Operating Partner via [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), your message has one objective: prove you understand the operational reality of their current [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). Do not ask for a job. Asking for a job places a cognitive burden on a busy executive, which defaults to a polite rejection or total silence. Instead, construct a direct, peer-level observation that highlights a specific risk and offers a localized tool. - **The Architecture:** Name the specific structural challenge common to their asset type, state the exact downstream capital or operational drag it creates, and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a clean, abstract framework you have successfully used to insulate margins or velocity against that exact deficit. - **The Script:** *“I’ve been tracking your firm’s recent acquisition of \[PortCo Name\] and their current push into mid-market enterprise data integration. Having navigated that parallel transition at my last firm, I noticed that legacy database synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during quarter two if the infrastructure teams aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief, 1-page playbook on how we stabilized our data architecture during that phase. No strings attached—let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* ### The Bottom Line Private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firms do not reward general compliance or standard [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) credentials; they reward specialized leverage and speed. When you position yourself as a calculated solution to a live [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) deficit, the traditional corporate gatekeepers disappear. Stop waiting for an HR tracking system to discover your background. Identify the investment firms buying inside your domain, map the operating partners holding the keys to those assets, and knock on the door with an actionable blueprint in hand. That is how you price out the noise, skip the line, and force the market to chase you. Tomorrow, we are shifting our focus to **The [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) Executive Pivot**—breaking down how to leverage this exact same [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) ecosystem to secure high-ticket consulting and advisory retainers while navigating a transition. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[6 Tactics for 55+ Year-Old Job Hunters](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jNR)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual coaching. [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Private Equity, Text **Tags:** The Private Equity PortCo Playbook --- ### [The No BS Guide to Resume Metrics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-no-bs-guide-to-resume-metrics/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down how to translate your daily tasks into the high-impact metrics recruiters actually care about. **Content:** # The No BS Guide to Resume Metrics **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you work in operations, support, or administration, your [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) is likely flying completely under the radar of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers. This episode breaks down the Seven Dimensions of Operational Value, a practical framework designed to translate your daily tasks into the high-impact metrics [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) actually care about. Stop writing boring lists of duties and learn how to prove your true dollar, speed, and efficiency value on paper. You sit down to update your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). If you don’t sell products or manage a massive budget, summarizing your daily work can be overwhelming. It often feels like you are carrying a mountain of invisible effort that completely collapses the moment you try to put it on paper. Take Alex, a back-end organizer. When Alex tries to capture a year of [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/), the final result ends up looking like this: “Answered emails and updated manuals.” If you work in sales, proving your value is straightforward. You point directly to the money you brought in. But if you work in support, administration, or operations, your daily contributions often fly right under the radar of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers. The value of that support work is entirely real; it is simply lacking a unit of measurement. To translate your daily efforts into a language that [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) understand, you can use a measurement tool called the Seven Dimensions of Operational Value. By shifting your perspective from a basic checklist of tasks to a record of measurable outcomes, you give [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) concrete proof of the impact you bring to a team. The first three dimensions focus entirely on efficiency, the metrics that prove how smoothly you keep the engine running. This diagram breaks down the seven dimensions, starting with speed. Look at how quantifying a bottleneck changes the story. Instead of stating that you improved a process, you show that your actions shrank client onboarding time from 14 days down to 9 days. Next is volume, which captures the sheer scale of the work environment you managed. Instead of just saying you supported the system, you would mention handling over 450 different technical channels that 50,000 people relied on every single month. The third dimension is cost. This is where you look for ways your improvements prevented waste. Automating a weekly report might save your team 12 hours of manual work every single week. Tying your everyday tasks to specific timeframes and scales proves to an employer that you actively drive efficiency, rather than just passively completing assignments. Once you establish how efficiently you work, the next three dimensions measure how well you do it. Returning to our framework, let’s look at quality. This measures accuracy and error reduction. A strong metric here shows you maintained a 98% documentation accuracy rating across three major product releases. Then we have risk. If you updated system protocols, you quantify that by noting your updates ensured 100% compliance with federal data security audits. Finally, satisfaction captures positive, measurable changes in sentiment. You might show that restructuring a knowledge base lifted internal developer satisfaction scores by 15%. 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When a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager asks a standard behavioral question about how you handle problems, you can confidently share the exact steps you took to automate that weekly report and save your team 12 hours of manual work. The raw numbers earn the interviewer’s immediate attention. Explaining the context and the actions you took to achieve those numbers proves your competence and wins the job. Every single role, regardless of the department or the title on the door, generates measurable outcomes across these seven dimensions. Look at the difference. The vague duty of answering emails fades away, replaced by a clear, data-driven record of speed, volume, and quality. Uncovering these numbers is often as simple as looking at your calendar or your sent folder from the last week. When you look at how many requests you handled or how quickly you responded, you’ll find the evidence of your value has been there all along. You just needed this framework to see it. Identifying your metrics is the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) to securing the role you actually want. Here is how to take the next step. There’s a lot more to help you at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). Become an Insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services a la carte. We want to help. If you liked this, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** The No BS Guide to Resume Metrics --- ### [The Fractional Pivot: Sell the Transformation, Not Your Time](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) **Published:** July 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you are an elite operator standing at a career crossroads, the most dangerous thing you can do is hunt for your next full-time corporate home **Content:** ## The Fractional Pivot: Sell the Transformation, Not Your Time **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are an elite operator standing at a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) crossroads, the most dangerous thing you can do is hunt for your next full-time corporate home using conventional executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) playbooks. The traditional market for permanent, full-time C-suite and VP roles has radically shifted. Enterprises facing macroeconomic volatility are increasingly hesitant to commit to multi-million-dollar executive compensation packages—inclusive of heavy [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) grants, signing bonuses, and extensive severance agreements—when they have immediate, highly specific operational fires to extinguish. This corporate hesitation is not a deficit; it is your asymmetric leverage. The market is aggressively unbundling executive talent. Companies that cannot afford or do not need a permanent, $400,000-a-year permanent executive are actively seeking world-class expertise on a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) basis: dedicated, long-term, part-time operational leaders who retain ultimate accountability for their functional domain, but execute on a variable retainer. Transitioning from a traditional full-time corporate employee to a high-earning [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) executive requires a complete rewiring of your professional identity. You must stop marketing your biographical history and start selling a highly packaged, algorithmic transformation. Here is the exact blueprint for pivoting to a high-leverage [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) executive practice. ### 1. Demolishing the “Generalist Leader” Profile The most common point of failure for transitioning [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) is attempting to be everything to everyone. On a traditional [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you are rewarded for broad, cross-functional compliance—showing you can manage people, oversee budgets, and sit on steering committees. In the [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) marketplace, generalist capabilities are a commodity [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). A firm will not pay a high-ticket premium retainer for general management; they buy specialized leverage to fix an isolated, high-stakes structural vulnerability. Yesterday, we unpacked **The Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) PortCo Playbook**, mapping out how to bypass traditional recruitment networks by alignment with operational fund partners. The [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) model runs on that exact same underlying philosophy: your market value is determined entirely by your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**—the precise intersection of your core functional execution engine and a specific, acute environment of corporate friction. To productize your knowledge, you must audit [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) history across three distinct vectors: - **The Core Trigger Event:** What is the exact organizational inflection point where your expertise becomes non-negotiable? (e.g., Post-merger infrastructure consolidation, transitioning a legacy business to a recurring SaaS model, navigating a rapid down-market margin restructuring). - **The Clinical Playbook:** What is your proprietary, repeatable methodology for solving that specific problem? You cannot say, *“I figure it out as I go.”* You must be able to write down a clear, multi-phase technical or operational framework that guarantees a predictable result. - **The Metric Signature:** What is the hard financial or operational unit economic shift that your playbook consistently delivers? (e.g., “Slashing tech-stack drag by 34% within 90 days,” or “Unlocking 2.5x delivery velocity for mid-market engineering teams”). When you package your background this way, you are no longer an “interim executive looking for a project.” You are a highly specialized corporate surgical strike. ### 2. Structuring the Fractional Retainer: The Three Tests of Delivery A successful [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) practice does not trade hours for dollars. If you bill an enterprise by the hour, you create a structural conflict of interest: you are financially penalized for being efficient. More importantly, you frame yourself as a tactical freelancer rather than a strategic peer. You must structure your engagements using predictable, value-driven monthly retainers across three distinct deployment models: - **The Advisory Tier:** This model focuses on strategic oversight, board-level guidance, and mentoring internal teams. It offers exceptionally high leverage with a minimal time footprint, typically requiring two to four hours per week. It is a perfect fit for highly mature organizations that possess capable, mid-level execution teams but completely lack seasoned strategic direction. - **The Structural [Fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) Tier:** This model demands deep operational ownership. You are not just advising; you are running weekly standups, establishing KPIs, restructuring teams, and owning the functional P&L. This usually requires one to two days per week. It targets fast-scaling, venture-backed, or mid-market companies that require tier-one leadership but cannot justify a full-time executive [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). - **The Interim Strike Tier:** This is a full-time, highly immersive deployment designed to stabilize an active crisis, manage a rapid turnaround, or bridge a sudden leadership vacuum over a three-to-six-month horizon. It is highly sought after by private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies or enterprises undergoing dramatic structural pivots or unexpected leadership transitions. By maintaining a diversified [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) across these models, a single [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) executive can comfortably manage three to five non-competing clients simultaneously, effectively doubling or tripling the cash-flow generation of a standard full-time corporate [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) while completely mitigating the systemic risk of single-source [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). ### 3. Activating the Direct-to-Operator Go-To-Market Loop You cannot build a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) executive pipeline by waiting for executive [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to call you. Traditional headhunters are paid to de-risk hires by matching exact, full-time biographical templates. They are structurally misaligned with the variable, [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) market. Your [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) pipeline must be built through direct, peer-to-peer operator loops on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Stop publishing standard job-seeker content. Instead, turn your feed into a live, clinical register of industry friction. Write technical autopsies of common structural failures within your niche, break down your abstract methodologies, and open-source your diagnostic tools natively in the feed. When you identify a target organization experiencing the precise inflection point you specialize in solving, do not send your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to HR. Target the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer, or the lead board member directly with a short, asymmetric value hook: > *“I’ve been tracking your current integration of the regional supply chain hubs this quarter. Having navigated that parallel transition at my last two firms, I’ve consistently found that inventory data synchronization logic leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief, 2-page operational checklist on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag during the cutover. No strings attached—let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* Notice what this message accomplishes: it requires no permission, it asks for no favors, and it places zero cognitive burden on a busy executive. It establishes your peer status instantly by diagnosing a real business liability before you ever talk about compensation. When the CEO reads that, they don’t see an applicant looking for a job. They see an unbundled, high-leverage operator who can protect their numbers right now without the friction of a six-month full-time search. ### The Bottom Line The traditional corporate ladder is a declining asset. Relying on an enterprise tracking database or a recruiter’s keyword filter to validate your executive value is a losing proposition in an oversupplied market. Take absolute ownership of your professional [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Turn your cumulative industry scars into a packaged, repeatable transformation playbook. Define your [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), structure your retainers for maximum leverage, and deliver uncompromised, surgical value directly to decision-makers. The market doesn’t reward general compliance anymore—it rewards specialized velocity. Step out of the line, build your [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-fractional-advantage-how-to-build-your-practice/) practice, and force the market to contract you on your own terms. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***The Cost of a Long Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oM3) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. *[**When Following Up Backfires**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oL4)* ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, Fractional Work/Consulting, Text **Tags:** The Fractional Pivot: Sell the Transformation Not Your Time --- ### [How to Build and Pitch Your Fractional Executive Playbook](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-and-pitch-your-fractional-executive-playbook/) **Published:** April 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # How to Build and Pitch Your Fractional Executive Playbook **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3133 Stop selling your time and start selling your system. This episode breaks down the exact framework to transition from a traditional executive role to a high-impact [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leader by productizing your expertise and building undeniable authority. - **00:00** – The Shift: Why the future of leadership is [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/). - **01:02** – The Opportunity: Understanding the 120,000+ leader market explosion. - **01:58** – Key Drivers: Tighter budgets, remote work, and the [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). - **02:26** – Define Your Value: Shifting from a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to a productized [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). - **03:19** – Codifying Your System: Why frameworks justify premium rates. - **03:39** – Building Authority: The 92.8% rule for [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) and network growth. - **04:15** – Content Strategy: The proven mix for [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) authority. - **04:38** – The Strategic Proposal: Outcomes, KPIs, and decision authority. - **05:16** – Pricing Models: Retainers vs. value-based pricing. - **05:39** – The First 90 Days: A roadmap for immediate impact and momentum. - **06:17** – Handling Objections: Using the LAARC and “Feel, Felt, Found” methods. This is No BS Drop Search Advice Radio, Episode 3133. Today, we’re doing a real [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session. We are building the definitive playbook for [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) like you. You’ve got the experience, right? So we’re going to turn all that wisdom into a powerful [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) offering that you can propose, price and most importantly, land. Let’s build this thing step by step. And you’ve got to understand this isn’t some tiny little trend on the side. The market is fundamentally changing. Companies are out there right now actively looking for flexible, high impact leaders. Leaders just like you. The future isn’t on its way. It’s already here. So the real question is, are you positioned to grab this opportunity? So here’s our game plan for today. We’re going to start with the opportunity itself and then get crystal clear on how to define your value. After that, we’ll talk about building your authority, grafting a proposal that just can’t be ignored, mapping out your first 90 days for maximum impact, and finally, how to handle any objection they throw your way. First up, let’s talk opportunity. Okay, first things first, let’s get a lay of the land. Before you can go out and sell a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) gig, you really need to understand why this whole thing is blowing up right now and what that means for you specifically. You know, clarity here is everything. It’s so important to remember you are not a [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) and you’re not an interim executive. A [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/), they advise from the outside. In interim, they’re just filling a full time seat for a little while. But you, as a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leader, you’re totally different. You’re an embedded part time ongoing leader who’s actually responsible for driving strategy from inside the company. That distinction, it’s absolutely crucial. And just look at the speed of this thing. The number of [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leaders literally doubled in just two years. We’re talking an explosion from 60,000 to 120,000. See, this isn’t just some passing fad. It’s a fundamental change in how companies get their hands on top tier talent. The demand is real. And believe me, it is picking up steam. So what’s fueling all this? Well, it’s basically a perfect storm of three major forces. First, the economy is a bit shaky, right? Companies need that C-suite brainpower, but they’re scared of the massive fixed cost of a full time [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). A [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) leader saves them 40 to 60 percent. Bam. Second, remote work is completely wiped out geography as a barrier. ***[How to Become an Irresistible Hire](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oOl)*** And third, more and more seasoned execs, just like you, are actively looking for [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). They want more freedom, more impact. Okay, knowing the market is one thing, but knowing your exact place in it. Well, that’s everything. This is where we stop thinking about your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and we start thinking about your product. We have to package all that amazing experience into an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) they just can’t refuse. It all comes down to this one single question. Seriously, this isn’t about making a list of your skills. It’s about zeroing in on a painful, expensive problem that you are uniquely qualified to solve for a very specific type of company. Your answer to this question, that’s the foundation for your entire [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) practice. And here’s what a killer answer looks like. Notice it’s not, I’m a really good marketing exec. No way. It is specific. It’s focused on an outcome and it’s got a timeline. It tells them who the client is, what the result will be, how long it’ll take and how you’re going to do it. This is the formula that turns your life story into a signed contract. The big unlock here is to stop selling your time and start selling your system. You have to codify your process, your templates, your roadmaps, your frameworks. Give it a name. When you productize your expertise like this, it just screams professionalism and it lets you command those premium value based rates you deserve. Okay, so you’ve got your product. Now you need a pipeline of clients. And here’s the secret. [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), they don’t chase clients. They attract them. This next part is all about building a reputation that makes you the obvious choice. So the leads start coming to you. Let this number sink in for a second. Over 92% of all [fractional work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/selling-fractional-work-from-contract-to-c-suite/) comes from [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) and your network. Trying to cold email your way to clients. That’s a tough, tough road. Your reputation, your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/). That is your number one business development tool. You’ve got to build it before you need it. So how do you actually build that authority, especially somewhere like [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)? Well, it’s not random. There’s actually a proven recipe. 70% of your content should be genuinely helpful. Just sharing your expertise for free. 15% should be professional stories that build trust and connection. And that last 15%, that’s your proof. Case studies, testimonials, and cold, hard, measurable results. All right. So the ideal client has found you. They’re interested. Awesome. Now you’ve got to move from just talking to an actual contract. A world-class proposal isn’t just some word document. It’s a strategic tool that closes the deal and sets you both up for [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) from day one. Your agreement has to be crystal clear. I mean, airtight. Define the scope based on outcomes, not a laundry list of tasks. Spell out your time commitment and don’t forget to include the invisible work like planning. List the exact KPIs they’re going to measure you against. And this is a big one. Clarify your decision-making authority. This stuff prevents scope creep and make sure you’re seen as a leader, not just another contractor. Now let’s talk about pricing. You’ve got options. A monthly retainer is pretty common for these ongoing leadership rules. Project-based fees are great for specific one-off initiatives, but really the most sophisticated model is value-based pricing, where your fee is tied directly to the results you create. Remember, the mindset shift is huge. You’re pricing the outcome, not the hours. You know, a detailed 90-day plan is one of the most powerful sales tools you have. It takes the conversation from these abstract promises to a concrete vision of what’s going to happen. It shows the client exactly how you’re going to create value right from the get-go. [***Strategic Interview Questions to Ask***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMw) It’s all about building momentum. The first 30 days, that’s all about learning and grabbing some quick, visible wins. The next 30 days, that’s when you start executing improvements. And that final 30-day stretch, that’s for delivering a major result and really embedding your systems for the long haul. A clear roadmap like this just removes so much risk from the decision for a CEO. Look, no matter how great your proposal is, you’re going to face objections. It’s just a totally natural part of the sale. The key isn’t to try and avoid them, but to have a solid framework so you can handle them with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and turn that concern into a signed contract. Here’s a super powerful professional framework. It’s called LARC. First, you just listen. Don’t interrupt, just listen. Then, acknowledge their concern so they know you heard them. Next, assess the real issue. Maybe ask a few questions. Then, and only then, you respond with facts or evidence. And finally, you confirm that you’ve addressed their concern. It’s a structured, respectful process that just builds massive trust. Now for price objections, this feel-felt-found technique is just incredible because it’s all about empathy. You start by validating their feeling. I totally understand how you feel. Then you normalize it with some social proof. You know, a lot of my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) clients felt the same way at first. And then you pivot to the amazing outcome. But what they found was that the ROI made it one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) investments they’d ever made. So there it is. You now have the complete playbook, from figuring out your value all the way to closing the deal. This isn’t just theory. The only question left is about taking action. So who’s the first person in your network you’re going to reach out to? There is a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Video courses, books, and guides you can purchase individually or get access to with all Insider programs. Almost all of which give you access to [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Again, the site is jobsearch.community. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***The Cost of a Long Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oM3) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. *[**When Following Up Backfires**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oL4)* ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Contract to Hire Assignments, Executive/ C Suite Search, Fractional Work/Consulting, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio --- ### [The Quality to Run to and Not From](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-quality-to-run-to-and-not-from/) **Published:** July 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There is a quality that people run from WAY too often. People should run to it, not from it. **Content:** # The Quality to Run to and Not From **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** There is a quality that people run from WAY too often. People should run to it, not from it. [***Who Hires Ex-Offenders?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eBM) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid coaching session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** No B. S. Coaching Advice **Tags:** The Quality to Run to and Not From --- ### [AI Scams in Recruiting: What Job Hunters Need to Watch For](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-scams-in-recruiting-what-job-hunters-need-to-watch-for/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The best defense is knowing the most common scam patterns and checking each one against basic verification steps. **Content:** # AI Scams in Recruiting: What Job Hunters Need to Watch For Artificial intelligence has made job searching faster, but it has also made recruiting scams more convincing. Fake [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) can now use AI-written messages, cloned voices, polished profiles, and realistic-looking job posts to lure candidates into giving away money, personal data, or access to their accounts. The result is a new generation of [job scams](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/) that can look legitimate at first glance but fall apart under careful review. Job hunters should assume that a professional-looking email, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, or [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) invite is not proof that an opportunity is real. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) defense is knowing the most common [scam](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-how-to-spot-ai-job-scams/) patterns and checking each one against basic verification steps. ## 10 AI recruiting scams 1. **Fake [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) impersonation.** Scammers pose as [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) from real companies and contact candidates with legitimate-sounding job offers. 2. **Phony job postings.** Fraudsters publish [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) that do not exist, often copied from real descriptions to look credible. 3. **Email-domain spoofing.** The scammer uses a personal email or a lookalike domain instead of the company’s official address. 4. **Text-message recruiting scams.** Candidates receive unsolicited SMS messages claiming to be from HR or a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/), then are pushed to respond quickly. 5. **WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal-only recruiting.** The scammer tries to move all communication off normal professional channels. 6. **Advance-fee scams.** The “employer” asks for payment for equipment, onboarding, background checks, [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/), or visa processing. 7. **Identity theft requests.** Scammers ask for Social Security numbers, banking details, copies of IDs, or other sensitive data far too early. 8. **Deepfake [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/).** AI-generated audio or video is used to impersonate a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) or manager in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) or screening call. 9. **Fake assessment portals.** The candidate is sent to a bogus test site or [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) portal designed to harvest credentials or payment information. 10. **Instant-offer pressure scams.** The scammer rushes the candidate to accept immediately, skip normal [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), or act before the role disappears. ## Red flags to notice There are several consistent warning signs across these scams. A [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) who refuses to use a company email, will not provide a direct phone number, or cannot be found on the employer’s website is a major red flag. [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) that sound unusually easy, pay far above market, or [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) immediate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) with little screening also deserve suspicion. Poor grammar can still be a clue, but it is no longer the only one because AI-generated messages can be polished and persuasive. That means candidates should pay closer attention to the structure of the interaction: urgency, secrecy, unusual communication channels, and requests for money or sensitive data are more important warning signs than spelling alone. ## How to verify legitimacy The fastest check is to verify the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) independently. Look up the person on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), check whether their profile has history, connections, and company alignment, and then confirm their identity through the employer’s official website or switchboard. If the job is real, a legitimate company should be able to confirm that the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) works there and that the opening exists. You can also test the conversation with simple validation questions. Ask for the company’s [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) process, the manager’s name, the role’s location, or a posting link on the official [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) page. If the person gets evasive, becomes aggressive, or insists that you continue only through an encrypted chat app, treat that as a warning sign rather than proof of urgency. For video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), watch for inconsistencies in lighting, lip movement, voice quality, or camera behavior that suggest a deepfake or a person reading scripted responses. A closer inspection of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) details such as profile age and connections, plus face-to-face verification when possible, can help expose fraud. ## What job hunters should do Never pay to apply for a job, and never send banking details, government IDs, or login credentials to someone you have not independently verified. Be cautious with links in emails or text messages, especially if they lead to a new portal or require immediate login. If something feels off, stop the exchange, document what happened, and report the posting or [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) to the platform and the real company being impersonated. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) scams in recruiting work because they borrow the look and language of real [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/). Job hunters who slow down, verify identities, and trust process over pressure are much less likely to get caught. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***How to Answer The Bizarre Scenario Interview Question***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-PN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. 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Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Scam **Tags:** AI Scams in Recruiting: What Job Hunters Need to Watch For --- ### [Do What Jerry Seinfeld Does #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-what-jerry-seinfeld-does-shorts-2/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jerry Seinfeld is NOT a poor man. He's smart. Do what Jerry does. **Content:** # Do What Jerry Seinfeld Does #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Jerry Seinfeld is NOT a poor man. He’s smart. Do what Jerry does. 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Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Gigs/Part Time **Tags:** Do What Jerry Seinfeld Does --- ### [Writing an Impactful Resume (for Felons)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-an-impactful-resume-for-felons/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A well-crafted resume can be a powerful tool in overcoming these obstacles and increasing your chances of securing a job opportunity. **Content:** # Writing an Impactful Resume (for Felons) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** For individuals with a felony conviction, finding [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) can be a significant challenge. 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Seek Support and Resources If you’re a felon seeking [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), there are organizations and resources available to assist you in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) preparation. Consider reaching out to local non-profits, workforce development programs, or re-entry initiatives that specialize in helping individuals with criminal records find [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) opportunities. 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Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2024 [***Who Hires Ex-Offenders?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eBM) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** Ex-Offenders, No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** Writing an Impactful Resume (for Felons) --- ### [The Recruiter Told Me, “We'll Make a Decision by Next Friday.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-recruiter-told-me-well-make-a-decision-by-next-friday-is-this-typical/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Will I get an offer or it is just a standard end of interview? **Content:** # The Recruiter Told Me, “We’ll Make a Decision by Next Friday. Is This Typical? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/q8P1VLHxSo0) After the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) told me, “e-mail me if you have any questions. We still need to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) 2 more candidates. We’ll make a decision by next Friday.” Will I get an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or it is just a standard end of [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? 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Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Recruiters, #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** “We'll Make a Decision by Next Friday. Is This Typical?, The Recruiter Told Me --- ### [Decoding Taleo: How to Beat the Enterprise Filter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) **Published:** July 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Most of the advice you read about Applicant Tracking Systems treats the software as a monolith. **Content:** ## Decoding Taleo: How to Beat the Enterprise Filter **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most of the advice you read about Applicant Tracking Systems treats the software as a monolith. You are told to strip out formatting, match your keywords, and cross your fingers. While that baseline compliance works for lighter, mid-market platforms like Greenhouse or Lever, it fails catastrophically when your file hits an enterprise-grade monster like Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/). [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) is the legacy titan of the talent acquisition space. It is utilized by nearly half of the Fortune 500, especially within highly regulated, massive infrastructure environments: aerospace, healthcare, defense, financial services, and global logistics. To beat [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/), you cannot just optimize for a generic database parser. You must understand that [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) does not think like its modern SaaS competitors. While systems like Workday have shifted toward neural-network semantic matching, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) remains a highly rigid, index-driven relational database matrix. It does not try to guess what you mean. It explicitly calculates what you say against an unyielding, recruiter-defined configuration schema. If you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to enterprise-level organizations, you need to understand exactly how [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) operates differently from other software systems, and how to build a document that exploits its unique parsing mechanics. ### The Common Ground: Baseline Automated Processing Before breaking down Taleo’s unique structural architecture, we must acknowledge where it aligns with the broader [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) market. Like any tracking database, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) utilizes a natural language processing (NLP) tokenization engine to strip a document down into its component parts: contact data, [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) chronology, education, and specific skills. If your file contains complex visual layouts—such as dual-column formats, graphical skill bars, icons, embedded images, headers, or footers—Taleo will scramble the structural reading order just like any other platform. It reads text strictly from left to right, top to bottom. A two-column layout means the software will read line one of column one and stitch it directly into line one of column two, turning your pristine executive bio into a garbled string of database noise. But clearing this baseline hurdle is only table stakes. Once the data is inside the system, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) treats your history with a specific, rigid scoring logic that other systems have long abandoned. ### The Taleo Disconnect: Where Generic Optimization Fails The defining structural difference between [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) and newer platforms is its reliance on a mechanism known as the **Pre-Screening Matrix and the Scoring Threshold**. In agile systems like Greenhouse, a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) opens a requisition and immediately looks at a feed of incoming [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). The software acts primarily as an organizational repository. In [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/), the software acts as an active gatekeeper before a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ever receives a notification that you applied. ### 1. Exact Terminology Still Matters Many modern applicant tracking systems incorporate AI-assisted search, semantic matching, and contextual analysis that can recognize some related job titles and skills. Depending on the platform and its configuration, a candidate whose [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) says “Cloud Product Lead” may still appear in searches for “SaaS Product Manager.” Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) often rewards a more literal approach. Although different organizations configure [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) differently—and Oracle has never publicly documented every aspect of its ranking algorithms—many [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) using [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) rely on keyword searches, Boolean queries, parsed candidate profiles, or screening criteria that work [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) when your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) contains the same terminology used in the job posting. If a position repeatedly refers to “Cross-Functional Project Management,” and that phrase accurately describes your experience, include those words naturally in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) rather than relying only on alternative wording such as “coordinated multi-disciplinary initiatives.” Using the employer’s language improves the likelihood that both the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) and the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) will recognize your qualifications. The lesson is straightforward: don’t replace important industry terminology with creative synonyms simply to avoid repetition. Strategic repetition of relevant keywords helps both software and human reviewers. ### 2. Required Qualifications Carry More Weight Than Preferred Qualifications Most enterprise [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) platforms, including [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/), allow [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to define required qualifications, preferred qualifications, screening questions, and workflow rules. How those features are configured varies from one employer to another. Many organizations use knockout questions to eliminate applicants who do not meet non-negotiable requirements, such as work authorization, required certifications, professional licenses, security clearances, or minimum education. These screening questions often have a greater impact on your application’s progress than keyword matching alone. For qualifications that are not enforced through knockout questions, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) typically review [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) based on a combination of search results, required skills, experience, and overall fit. Missing one preferred qualification does not automatically eliminate every candidate. Your objective should be to demonstrate that you satisfy as many required qualifications as honestly possible while incorporating the language used throughout the job description. ### 3. Recent Experience Is More Influential Than Older Experience [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) consistently place greater emphasis on recent experience than work performed many years ago. Whether they search manually or use [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) search tools, they typically want to see that the skills required for the position have been used recently and in meaningful business situations. For that reason, don’t hide your strongest qualifications inside a skills section at the end of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Reinforce your most important technical skills, methodologies, certifications, and business accomplishments within the bullet points describing your current or most recent positions. If “Enterprise Data Architecture” is central to the position you’re pursuing, show how you applied that expertise in your recent work rather than listing it only in a summary of skills. This approach benefits both [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) searches and human readers because it demonstrates current proficiency supported by real accomplishments. ## Optimizing Your Resume for Taleo ### Mirror Important Terminology Study the job description carefully and identify the technical skills, certifications, software, methodologies, and business functions that appear repeatedly. When those terms accurately describe your background, use the employer’s preferred wording throughout your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). For example, if the posting references “Master of Business Administration (MBA),” there is no disadvantage to presenting the credential in that same format rather than using only the abbreviation. ### Integrate Keywords Into Your Experience Don’t rely exclusively on a Core Competencies section to communicate your qualifications. Incorporate the most important skills naturally into your professional experience, especially within your most recent positions, where [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are most likely to focus their attention. ### Test Your Resume Before Uploading Before submitting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), copy its contents into a plain-text editor such as Notepad. This simple test helps identify hidden formatting problems, merged words, text boxes, unusual characters, or layout issues that may interfere with [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) parsing. Once the text appears clean and readable, submit either a properly formatted Word document (.docx) or a text-based [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) if the employer accepts both formats. A clean, single-column layout remains the most reliable choice for virtually every [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), including [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/). ### The Taleo Engineering Blueprint: How to Restructure Your File To survive this enterprise filter, you must abandon the standard aesthetic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and build a document designed to feed Taleo’s relational database exactly what its configuration schema demands. - **Mirror the Exact Structural Taxonomy:** Print out the target job description. Isolate the nouns, acronyms, and operational tools listed under the qualifications headers. If the company lists “Master of Business Administration (MBA)” with parentheses, format it exactly that way on your document. Do not just write “MBA.” Match their capitalization, punctuation, and phrasing verbatim. - **Anchor Your Core Keywords in Your Current Role:** Do not rely on a standalone “Core Competencies” section to carry your keyword strategy. [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) looks for chronology. Take the most critical requirements from the job description and weave them explicitly into the first three bullet points of your current or most recent position. This ensures the algorithm calculates your “Recent Use” multiplier at peak value. - **Convert to a Pure Plain-Text Format First:** Before uploading your document to an enterprise portal, paste the entire text into a basic Notepad or plain-text editor. If you notice words smashing together, or your formatting creating strange character strings, fix those errors in the plain-text file first, then re-save it as a clean, single-column [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) or Word document. This guarantees the parsing engine reads your timeline without data corruption. ### The Bottom Line Enterprise talent acquisition teams use applicant tracking systems such as Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategies-for-beating-the-enterprise-filter-in-taleo/) to manage high volumes of applicants, organize candidate data, support compliance requirements, and help [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) identify candidates who meet defined [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) criteria. These systems are designed to improve efficiency and consistency in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) workflows, not to independently evaluate someone’s full professional capability. Because [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are processed through parsing and search functions, clarity and structure matter. If a document is overly complex in layout or inconsistent in formatting, key details may be misread, misclassified, or harder for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to locate. A clean, straightforward format helps ensure your experience is accurately captured and searchable within the system. It is also important to use clear, industry-recognized terminology when describing your skills and experience. Aligning your wording with the language used in the job description—when it accurately reflects your background—can improve how easily your profile is found in [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) searches and how well it is understood during review. Your objective is not to “impress” the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), but to ensure your qualifications are accurately represented so you are visible in [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) searches and move forward into human review. Once your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) reaches that stage, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) decisions are made by [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers who evaluate your experience, accomplishments, and fit for the role. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Follow on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System, Text --- ### [No BS Career Advice: June 28 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-28-2026/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: June 28 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Broken hiring process.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Broken-Hiring-Process-Gemini_Generated_Image_kgmf7okgmf7okgmf-1024x559.png) I took my wife to the airport on Wednesday for her annual visit to Ulverston in the UK. She is a Buddhist meditation teacher and they do teacher [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) there for a few weeks before an annual festival and celebration. We’ll speak many times between now and her return, but it isn’t the same. ## Decoding Taleo: How to Beat the Enterprise Filter **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most of the advice you read about [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) treats the software as a monolith. You are told to strip out formatting, match your keywords, and cross your fingers. While that baseline compliance works for lighter, mid-market platforms like Greenhouse or Lever, it fails catastrophically when your file hits an enterprise-grade monster like Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) is the legacy titan of the talent acquisition space. It is utilized by nearly half of the Fortune 500, especially within highly regulated, massive infrastructure environments: aerospace, healthcare, defense, financial services, and global logistics. To beat [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), you cannot just optimize for a generic database parser. You must understand that [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) does not think like its modern SaaS competitors. While systems like Workday have shifted toward neural-network semantic matching, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) remains a highly rigid, index-driven relational database matrix. It does not try to guess what you mean. It explicitly calculates what you say against an unyielding, recruiter-defined configuration schema. If you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to enterprise-level organizations, you need to understand exactly how [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) operates differently from other software systems, and how to build a document that exploits its unique parsing mechanics. ### The Common Ground: Baseline Automated Processing Before breaking down Taleo’s unique structural architecture, we must acknowledge where it aligns with the broader [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) market. Like any tracking database, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) utilizes a natural language processing (NLP) tokenization engine to strip a document down into its component parts: contact data, [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) chronology, education, and specific skills. If your file contains complex visual layouts—such as dual-column formats, graphical skill bars, icons, embedded images, headers, or footers—Taleo will scramble the structural reading order just like any other platform. It reads text strictly from left to right, top to bottom. A two-column layout means the software will read line one of column one and stitch it directly into line one of column two, turning your pristine executive bio into a garbled string of database noise. But clearing this baseline hurdle is only table stakes. Once the data is inside the system, [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) treats your history with a specific, rigid scoring logic that other systems have long abandoned. ### The Taleo Disconnect: Where Generic Optimization Fails The defining structural difference between [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) and newer platforms is its reliance on a mechanism known as the **Pre-Screening Matrix and the Scoring Threshold**. In agile systems like Greenhouse, a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) opens a requisition and immediately looks at a feed of incoming [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). The software acts primarily as an organizational repository. In [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), the software acts as an active gatekeeper before a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) ever receives a notification that you applied. ### 1. Exact Terminology Still Matters Many modern [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) incorporate AI-assisted search, semantic matching, and contextual analysis that can recognize some related job titles and skills. Depending on the platform and its configuration, a candidate whose [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) says “Cloud Product Lead” may still appear in searches for “SaaS Product Manager.” Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) often rewards a more literal approach. Although different organizations configure [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) differently—and Oracle has never publicly documented every aspect of its ranking algorithms—many [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) using [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) rely on keyword searches, Boolean queries, parsed candidate profiles, or screening criteria that work [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) when your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) contains the same terminology used in the job posting. If a position repeatedly refers to “Cross-Functional Project Management,” and that phrase accurately describes your experience, include those words naturally in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) rather than relying only on alternative wording such as “coordinated multi-disciplinary initiatives.” Using the employer’s language improves the likelihood that both the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) and the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) will recognize your qualifications. The lesson is straightforward: don’t replace important industry terminology with creative synonyms simply to avoid repetition. Strategic repetition of relevant keywords helps both software and human reviewers. ### 2. Required Qualifications Carry More Weight Than Preferred Qualifications Most enterprise [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) platforms, including [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/), allow [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to define required qualifications, preferred qualifications, screening questions, and workflow rules. How those features are configured varies from one employer to another. Many organizations use knockout questions to eliminate applicants who do not meet non-negotiable requirements, such as work authorization, required certifications, professional licenses, security clearances, or minimum education. These screening questions often have a greater impact on your application’s progress than keyword matching alone. For qualifications that are not enforced through knockout questions, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) typically review [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) based on a combination of search results, required skills, experience, and overall fit. Missing one preferred qualification does not automatically eliminate every candidate. Your objective should be to demonstrate that you satisfy as many required qualifications as honestly possible while incorporating the language used throughout the job description. ### 3. Recent Experience Is More Influential Than Older Experience [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) consistently place greater emphasis on recent experience than work performed many years ago. Whether they search manually or use [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) search tools, they typically want to see that the skills required for the position have been used recently and in meaningful business situations. For that reason, don’t hide your strongest qualifications inside a skills section at the end of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Reinforce your most important technical skills, methodologies, certifications, and business accomplishments within the bullet points describing your current or most recent positions. If “Enterprise Data Architecture” is central to the position you’re pursuing, show how you applied that expertise in your recent work rather than listing it only in a summary of skills. This approach benefits both [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) searches and human readers because it demonstrates current proficiency supported by real accomplishments. ## Optimizing Your Resume for Taleo ### Mirror Important Terminology Study the job description carefully and identify the technical skills, certifications, software, methodologies, and business functions that appear repeatedly. When those terms accurately describe your background, use the employer’s preferred wording throughout your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). For example, if the posting references “Master of Business Administration (MBA),” there is no disadvantage to presenting the credential in that same format rather than using only the abbreviation. ### Integrate Keywords Into Your Experience Don’t rely exclusively on a Core Competencies section to communicate your qualifications. Incorporate the most important skills naturally into your professional experience, especially within your most recent positions, where [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are most likely to focus their attention. ### Test Your Resume Before Uploading Before submitting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), copy its contents into a plain-text editor such as Notepad. This simple test helps identify hidden formatting problems, merged words, text boxes, unusual characters, or layout issues that may interfere with [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) parsing. Once the text appears clean and readable, submit either a properly formatted Word document (.docx) or a text-based [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) if the employer accepts both formats. A clean, single-column layout remains the most reliable choice for virtually every [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), including [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). ### The Taleo Engineering Blueprint: How to Restructure Your File To survive this enterprise filter, you must abandon the standard aesthetic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and build a document designed to feed Taleo’s relational database exactly what its configuration schema demands. - **Mirror the Exact Structural Taxonomy:** Print out the target job description. Isolate the nouns, acronyms, and operational tools listed under the qualifications headers. If the company lists “Master of Business Administration (MBA)” with parentheses, format it exactly that way on your document. Do not just write “MBA.” Match their capitalization, punctuation, and phrasing verbatim. - **Anchor Your Core Keywords in Your Current Role:** Do not rely on a standalone “Core Competencies” section to carry your keyword strategy. [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) looks for chronology. Take the most critical requirements from the job description and weave them explicitly into the first three bullet points of your current or most recent position. This ensures the algorithm calculates your “Recent Use” multiplier at peak value. - **Convert to a Pure Plain-Text Format First:** Before uploading your document to an enterprise portal, paste the entire text into a basic Notepad or plain-text editor. If you notice words smashing together, or your formatting creating strange character strings, fix those errors in the plain-text file first, then re-save it as a clean, single-column [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) or Word document. This guarantees the parsing engine reads your timeline without data corruption. ### The Bottom Line Enterprise talent acquisition teams use [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) such as Oracle [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) to manage high volumes of applicants, organize candidate data, support compliance requirements, and help [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) identify candidates who meet defined [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) criteria. These systems are designed to improve efficiency and consistency in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) workflows, not to independently evaluate someone’s full professional capability. Because [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are processed through parsing and search functions, clarity and structure matter. If a document is overly complex in layout or inconsistent in formatting, key details may be misread, misclassified, or harder for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to locate. A clean, straightforward format helps ensure your experience is accurately captured and searchable within the system. It is also important to use clear, industry-recognized terminology when describing your skills and experience. Aligning your wording with the language used in the job description—when it accurately reflects your background—can improve how easily your profile is found in [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) searches and how well it is understood during review. Your objective is not to “impress” the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), but to ensure your qualifications are accurately represented so you are visible in [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) searches and move forward into human review. Once your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) reaches that stage, [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) decisions are made by [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers who evaluate your experience, accomplishments, and fit for the role. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Last week, I released a number of new blog posts including: **High-Paying [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: Chase the compensation packages all you want, but if you do not understand the underlying market demand, you are building your target profile on quicksand. 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Link: **After You Apply for a Job #shorts** Excerpt: Dropping your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) into a portal and simply hoping for a response is where most job seekers lose control of their process. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid execution step you must take immediately after hitting submit to differentiate your profile from the faceless stack. Link: **Why the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Rejects You (And How to Fix It)** Excerpt: Highly qualified professionals are consistently rejected by automated screening platforms like Workday and [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) before a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) ever sees their file. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the strict mechanical realities of formatting friction, vocabulary alignment gaps, and keyword proximity metrics that trigger sudden rejections. Link: [https://thebiggamehunte](https://thebiggamehunte/) us/why-the-ats-rejects-you-and-how-to-fix-it/ **Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills is BS #shorts** Excerpt: The classic corporate slogan claiming companies prioritize baseline personality traits over technical capability is a complete myth. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) drops a direct reality check on how [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) decision-makers actually evaluate talent and why relying on a good attitude will not save you if your hard metrics fall short. Link: **Stop Being the Product: Why You Need to Hire Your Own Ally** Excerpt: Contingency and corporate headhunters are paid by the employer, meaning their primary allegiance is never to you or [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to follow the money in modern staffing and details why serious professionals need to hire their own dedicated [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advisors to navigate high-stakes negotiations cleanly. Link: **Using The Myth of the Passive Job Applicant to Your Advantage** Excerpt: Companies love to chase the illusion of the “passive candidate” who isn’t actively looking, believing they represent premium talent compared to active applicants. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the corporate psychology behind this preference and outlines strategic framing techniques to make yourself look like an elite passive target. Link: ***In a few weeks, I’ll be releasing a new book about writing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for both people and the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). We’re working on final edits now and expect it will be out in January. Unlike my first cut at the topic which was little more than a pamphlet, this is a heavily researched book with many examples from my [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/).*** People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: June 28 2026 --- ### [Recruiters CONFESS: Why Companies Do SO MANY Interviews! #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-confess-why-companies-do-so-many-interviews-shorts/) **Published:** September 8, 2025 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This #short reveals the real reasons companies put candidates through so many interview rounds. **Content:** # Recruiters CONFESS: Why Companies Do SO MANY Interviews! #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the v***](https://youtube.com/shorts/NFd03qdWQNc)***ideo does not play properly*** Made it through three, four, maybe even five [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and wondering why there are more? This #short reveals the real reasons companies put candidates through so many [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) rounds. What’s with these [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) who do a **two or three-tier [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) process**? Like, really, you haven’t made up your mind enough yet that you need two more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)? Two more that I have to invest my time and effort in and get my hopes up for? Well, let me ask you a question. When you date someone, do you, you know, propose marriage on the first date? Or do you go out on a couple of dates with them or years of dating before you drop down on one knee and propose marriage to them? I suspect it takes some time for you to make that kind of commitment, especially if you’re dating multiple people. You’re just not sure who—who do I really want to spend time with Saturday night? Is it going to be with her or her, him or him? I don’t know. And thus, [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people is like dating. Many people wind up in situations where they have **multiple good choices** and they’re trying to figure out which choice is [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) for them, and they’re not sure. And they’re **[afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of making a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)** because **[mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) are expensive and costly**. That part we all can agree on, true. So they’re taking their sweet ass time about choosing someone because the fact is, they’re not sure and they don’t want to make a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). So they keep dating until they’re ready to propose marriage. That’s the fact of it. Okay. ***[Why Tech Professionals Are Looking for Jobs in Finance](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mgV)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) podcasts with more than 3000 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts** **[*How Do Recruiters Filter Out People Who Apply to A Lot of Jobs?*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mgB)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mhN) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Recruiters **Tags:** Recruiters CONFESS: Why Companies Do SO MANY Interviews! --- ### [Is It Weird To Ask About Previous Salary on an Application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) **Published:** September 7, 2025 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** These days, you have to answer the questions in two ways--one for states where it's an illegal question and the other for states where is still legal. **Content:** # Is It Weird To Ask About Previous Salary on an Application **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** These days, you have to answer the questions in two ways–one for states where it’s an illegal question and the other for states where is still legal. [***Negotiating The Counter Offer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6Rp) (0:00 – 1:16) Is it weird to ask about previous [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) on an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/)? I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I coach people on workplace issues and that can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading, being more effective in the work environment as overall. And someone asked me this question and I have to answer it in two ways. The first one is there are certain places in the United States where it’s illegal to ask this question. You cannot ask about current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). They can ask about desired [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). You obviously are not in a part of the country where this is an illegal question. So, with that, is it weird? Not weird. Why do they do it? Simple. Many organizations are looking to economize and they have the information about what they’re [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to pay and you don’t. And even with a range, you don’t know whether they’ve set up a system where they try to limit the percentage increase over your current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that they’re going to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). So, understand, for example, I had a client some years ago that tried to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people for four percent increases. (1:17 – 1:39) It didn’t work for very long but they tried to cap it and the way it worked is they would make the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) for a four percent increase. When it got turned down, someone would panic. They’d run up to the executive comp person saying we really need this person for an assignment and we need approval above the four percent. (1:39 – 3:06) Notice what they’ve done is create some hedge in there but the goal was to try and get some people for a four percent [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/). They got quite a few at a four percent [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) and this limited their financial exposure. For you, that doesn’t serve you. You always want to be in the position where you have information, too. So, if you’re filling out an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), avoid the question about current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Answer the one about desired [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). They will probably come back to you and ask you about your current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). You can answer it or not. Understand, if you don’t, they may respond as a number of my clients used to do and say, we need this information. The [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is going to come to an end. It’s that simple. And, for you, if this is on [applying for a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) and you’re not on the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you can fill in the field and say we can discuss in person. So, that’s a smooth way to handle it. Answer the one about desired compensation and work from there. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this helpful. Visit [TheBigGameHunter.us](http://TheBigGameHunter.us) where I have much more there on the blog. You can also schedule different types of [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) sessions with me as well as a free discovery call. Lastly, if you’re watching on youtube, click the little icon in the lower right so you can subscribe to my channel be notified whenever I release something new. Have a great day and take care. [***The Change It Had To Come***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1OU) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 14+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applications, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Asking for current salary on an application, Asking for salary in an application, Is It Weird To Ask About Previous Salary on an Application, job applications --- ### [What is a Better Way to Say "20 Years of Experience" On a Resume?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-is-a-better-way-to-say-20-years-of-experience-on-a-resume/) **Published:** March 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it a good or bad idea to mention, "20 years of experience" on a resume? What's a better way to say it? **Content:** # What is a Better Way to Say “20 Years of Experience” On a Resume? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/GpqyIVbFALg) Is it a good or bad idea to mention, “20 years of experience” on a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? What’s a better way to say it? ***[Why Tech Professionals Are Looking for Jobs in Finance](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mgV)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) podcasts with more than 3000 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts** **[*How Do Recruiters Filter Out People Who Apply to A Lot of Jobs?*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mgB)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mhN) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, No BS Resume Advice --- ### [The Second Interview with the Same Person](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-second-interview-with-the-same-person/) **Published:** April 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You’ve already proven you can do the job; now you have to prove you're the best long-term investment. **Content:** # The Second Interview with the Same Person **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You’ve already proven you can do the job; now you have to prove you’re the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) long-term investment. This episode breaks down the “Conviction Prep Sheet,” a strategic framework to pivot from a hopeful applicant to a trusted peer. Learn how to address past weaknesses and align your execution strategy with their Q3 goals before you even sign the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Securing a second [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) with the same person confirms that your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) matches your reality. They have already validated your baseline skills and your professional vibe, moving you from a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) pile into the shortlist of potential colleagues. This meeting functions differently than the first. Because the interviewer already knows you are qualified, they are now calculating the risk and reward of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) you, shifting the focus from your background to your potential as a long-term investment. This mindset shift chart outlines changing expectations. Round 1 asked, can they do the job? Round 2 asks, do I want to work with them daily? This shifts your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). You must move from polite deference to the collaborative tone of a teammate. To manage this transition, we will use your notes from the first round to build a physical four-part tool, the conviction prep sheet. Drafting this strategy on paper anchors your performance. It provides a concrete reference point that prevents you from defaulting to introductory habits, keeping you focused on your role as a strategic partner. Divide your page into four quadrants. Label the first section, callbacks, and loop closers. Review your notes from the first meeting. Identify one specific topic the interviewer seemed particularly engaged with, and one question where your initial answer felt incomplete. Use these templates to open the conversation. Referring to a previous point by saying, last time we spoke you mentioned, demonstrates active listening. Addressing a previous weak spot with, I reflected on your question about why, shows professional growth. Avoid the reset [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). Repeating your standard elevator pitch misses the opportunity to build on the rapport you’ve already established. Approaching the second [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) as a continuation of a single evolving story signals that you are already mentally integrated into the team’s current challenges. Label the second quadrant, the how strategy. While your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) lists what you achieved in previous roles, this section focuses on the specific methods you will deploy to achieve results for this employer. Identify a known project, like an upcoming Q3 launch, and write down the tactical steps you would take to manage it. You are moving from a general description of skills to a specific demonstration of your workflow. Consider creating a physical artifact, such as a 30, 60, 90-day plan. Bringing this to the table provides tangible evidence of your strategic thinking. Detailing your execution plan allows the interviewer to see you in the role. It transitions their internal dialogue from, should we hire them, to, how will they handle this project next month? Label the third quadrant, insider questions. Recall the specific acronyms, internal jargon, or cultural rompers used in the first [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/). Incorporate that terminology into the questions you draft here. Replace generic HR inquiries with advanced probes. Instead of asking about standard benefits, ask, what is the biggest hurdle I’d face in this department? Or, what would make the person in this role a rock star in your eyes after six months? Deep dive questions dissolve the subordinate interviewee dynamic. They establish you as a strategic peer who is already investigating how to solve the company’s business problems. Label the final quadrant, consistency and gaps. This prepares you for the sanity check phase. Pinpoint one previous hesitation, like a lack of specific software experience, and draft a short plan explaining how you are bridging that gap. Be vigilant with your data. If you cited a 20% growth metric last week, that number must remain 20% today. Interviewers use repeat meetings to cross-reference your claims and ensure your stories are reliable. Proactively addressing weaknesses and maintaining consistent data neutralizes an interviewer’s remaining doubts, proving you are a dependable candidate under closer scrutiny. You now have a completed document containing tailored callbacks, a concrete strategic pitch, insider questions, and a defense for your gaps. This roadmap provides a level of specificity that a generic, memorized script cannot match. Remember the [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) shift. When you enter the room, treat the interviewer as a colleague you are already working with to solve a problem. Preparing this sheet replaces the uncertainty of a hopeful applicant with the [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) of a long-term asset. Review your quadrants twice before you walk in and treat the meeting as the first day of your new collaboration. [***How to Answer The Bizarre Scenario Interview Question***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-PN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** The Second Interview with the Same Person --- ### [The Final Interview with the CEO](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-final-interview-with-the-ceo-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** March 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** When you meet the CEO, they already know that you can do the job. What are they looking for in this meeting, in this final interview? **Content:** # The Final Interview with the CEO **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** When you meet the CEO, they already know that you can do the job. What are they looking for in this meeting? [***You Need Allies***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-e74) I stumbled into an article that I want to give credit to TheMuse for. TheMuse.com. The article is entitled, “Here’s the Secret to Acing an [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with a Company CEO.” A great article, so full credit to TheMuse. The article was written by Julia Hearts who’s the co-founder and president of Eventbrite. If you’re not familiar with firm, it’s an online marketplace for live events. Her article really speaks to how she [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) but, from my experience in doing search, it’s uniformly consistent. Basically, she starts off with the assumption that if she’s meeting someone, her team has already they’re qualified and that she’s meeting people in what she calls, “The Founders Round.” They’ve been interviewed by the team, they’ve done an assignment related to the skills that are needed for the job. So, they know that this person can do the job. So, after the initial introduction, she’ll start by asking the candidate to tell her, his or her story, which isn’t really to hear this lengthy auto biography. What she’s looking for is a great summary of their life and career, not just because she wants to be amused, but specifically covering these points– motivation, intention and conviction.Catch that one- motivation, intention and conviction. From there, she progresses on to other questions where she’s looking for insights into the person. It’s not just the story, but it’s about unsolicited compliments, as she says. What she really wants to know is how well the interviewee understands the challenge that the firm is trying to solve, the skills that are needed to solve it, and how they can prove they have those skills. She also wants to understand whether this person relates to the significance of the role and has a strong conviction for the organization. Understand, generally, if you’re meeting the CEO, meeting them at an investment bank or at major American Corporation and meeting with someone at a small to mid-sized firm who was there at the beginning, a founder in this particular case, who has an emotional connection. And, although she hasn’t said this, she’s looking for much the same sort of thing from you. Are you inspired to help this organization achieve what it’s set out to achieve– its mission to be the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) that can it be in this space?–or is this just a job and, understanding that as been the underpinnings behind questions that you’re being asked, it goes a long way towards being effective. Now, she also talks about, at the end, giving the candidate the opportunity to ask her questions, which, as a founder, I know the temptation is to give softball questions. She shares her perspective that she doesn’t want to have questions that could be easily answered on the website. To her, that gives her the impression that they’re not well [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). What she likes to hear about is being asked questions about certain parts of the business and questions that would give a context and perspective. So, again, [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) softball questions don’t really require a lot of thought or intelligence. The ones that require a clarification or a deeper understanding do and since that goes into the question of “can you fit into this organization,” although I normally hate the term, fit, because I don’t believe organizations know how to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for fit, and I won’t go into detail. Now, I’ve done videos about this before. I’ll just simply say from a personality standpoint, care, intelligence, warmth, [honesty](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-honest-should-you-be-jobsearchtv-com/), great questions, and the points that she raises in this article will go a long way toward getting hired. [***I Lowballed My Desired Salary! Is It OK to Fix It?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b3g) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[You Need to Fix Stupid Hiring.](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqT)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Final interview, final interview tips, final interview with the CEO, The Final Interview with the CEO --- ### [How to Turn Rejection into a Long-Term Strategy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-turn-rejection-into-a-long-term-strategy/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # How to Turn Rejection into a Long-Term Strategy **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Getting rejected by a top-tier company isn’t a final verdict on your worth—it is raw market data. This episode breaks down how to stop thinking like a defeated applicant and start operating like a professional scout. Learn how to reverse-engineer successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) paths, exploit “employer affinity,” and turn a painful “no” into a step-by-step blueprint straight to the position you actually want. Okay, so let’s get right into it. Getting rejected from a job you really, really wanted, well, it feels like hitting a brick wall, right? But what if I told you that rejection isn’t the end of the story? What if it’s actually the start of a much smarter plan to get you exactly where you want to be? Today we are going to turn that painful no into your ultimate long-term weapon. So, you got the email. That dream company, the one you’ve had on your radar for years, decided to go with someone else. Man, it is a total gut punch. You immediately start questioning everything, don’t you? Am I good enough? Will I ever get a job like that? It’s so frustrating and disappointing, but you know what? It’s a moment that almost everyone who’s ever had a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) has faced. You’re not alone in this. But here’s the thing you have to remember. This isn’t a final verdict on you or your skills. It’s just a data point. It’s simply telling you that you might not be qualified, yet. And that one little word, yet, that’s where our entire strategy kicks off. So, how do we get there? We’re going to use this really powerful concept I call the stepping stone. Think of it as a long-term play, a kind of strategic detour that’s going to eventually lead you right back to the front door of your dream company, only this time you’ll have the key. Now, to really get this, we have to shift our perspective. For just a minute, I want you to stop thinking like a job applicant. Instead, I want you to start thinking like a professional baseball scout. See, they don’t just look for players who are ready for the major leagues today. No, they find the real talent in the minor leagues, the ones who just need the right kind of experience to become stars. And this [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) just nails it. As [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) says, sometimes you need that time in the minor leagues to really get ready for the majors. Your dream company? That’s the major leagues. And the stepping stone we’re talking about, that’s your time in the minors. A different company, one you choose strategically, where you’re going to build the exact skills you need to get that call up to the big show. Okay, so the theory sounds pretty good, right? But where do you actually find these so-called minor league companies? How do you figure out the perfect stepping stone for [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/)? Well, it turns out the answer is probably already open in another tab on your browser. We’re going to build a super simple four-step game plan using [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). First, you just go to your dream company’s page. Easy enough. Second, you find people who have the exact job you want, and you just study their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) history. Third, and listen, this is the most important part, you look at where they worked right before they landed this dream role. Those are the companies that trained them up. And finally, step four: you target those companies. Boom. Those are your perfect stepping stones. So, what you’re doing here, and this is so important, is you’re not just taking any old job. You’re literally reverse engineering a successful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path. By going to work at one of these feeder companies, you are intentionally getting the precise skills, the specific experience, and even the professional lingo that your dream company has already shown that it values. You’re basically becoming the candidate they can’t possibly ignore next time. But it gets even better than that. This strategy isn’t just about beefing up your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). There’s a really powerful psychological thing happening here that gives you a massive hidden advantage when you decide it’s time to apply again. This hidden advantage all comes down to something called employer affinity, and it’s a really simple idea with huge implications. Basically, people have a natural fondness for their old workplaces, and because of that, for other people who also worked there. It’s like being part of the same club. And this affinity gives you real, tangible advantages. Imagine a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager at your dream company looking at your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). They see you worked at their old firm. Instantly, there’s a connection. They know you speak the same professional language. They know you’ve probably been through a similar work culture. And it’s immediate proof that you have the kind of [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) they already know and respect. All of a sudden, you’re not a stranger anymore. You’re kind of like part of the extended professional family. So, when you put this all together, you start to see that this is about way more than just finding another job. It’s about completely shifting your mindset. It’s about going from seeing this rejection as a major setback to seeing it as the perfect setup for your future [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). You know, it really just comes down to two totally different ways of looking at this. The short-term view? It’s a dead end. This is the end of the line. “I’m not qualified. I failed.” But the strategic view? It sees nothing but opportunity. “This is a chance to learn what I need. I can become qualified. This isn’t a failure, it’s just a data point.” And that’s really the bottom line, isn’t it? This rejection isn’t a judgment on you, it’s information. It’s like a free consultation telling you exactly what skills and experience you need to go get. The company has literally shown you the recipe for getting hired by [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) someone else. Now, all you have to do is go get the ingredients. So, I’ll leave you with this final thought. Please, stop looking at that rejection letter like it’s a closed door. It’s not. It’s a map. They’ve just handed you a map. So, the real question you have to ask yourself is: what if this rejection isn’t a rejection at all? What if it’s actually a roadmap pointing you down a new, smarter path that will ultimately lead you exactly where you’ve always wanted to go? [***Job Search Resilience And Being Solid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iW7) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[5 Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking **Tags:** How to Turn Rejection into a Long-Term Strategy --- ### [Roadblocks. Perseverance. Adversity. Resilience. Determination](https://thebiggamehunter.us/roadblocks-perseverance-adversity-resilience-determination/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Notice the things that occur around me and the events that might seem transient. Yet, many have the potential for more than just experiencing a moment. **Content:** # Roadblocks. Perseverance. Adversity. Resilience. Determination ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** **Watching** [**Sir Paul McCartney on Carpool Karoke**](https://youtu.be/QjvzCTqkBDQ) **as he visited his childhood home in Liverpool, where he and John Lennon wrote some of the early Beatles songs, brought back beautiful memories. And then, speaking of how he wrote several of those songs based upon childhood experiences reminded me to notice the things that occur around me and the events that might seem transient. Yet, many have the potential for more than just experiencing a moment.** ![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/769e42_7a007cf55e714261b5bed4604d1ccc1c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_750,h_500,al_c,q_20/file.jpg) Thus, I sat in front of the tv (or telly, as Sir Paul would say) and started watching a US football game between The Universities of Georgia and Alabama for the college football championship and started to notice certain things about one of the players. If you live outside the United States or are not a US college football fan, the name Stetson Fleming Bennett IV won’t mean anything to you, but I believe his story can have meaning for all of us. Bennett IV grew up in a small town in Georgia and longed to play football for the University of Georgia. In high school, he was the quarterback for a team that went to 3 consecutive state championship games, threw for more than 3000 yards, ran for more than 500 more, and helped his team score more than 40 touchdowns. His one football scholarship [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) came from Middle Tennessee State, a school that was not a football powerhouse. Others were interested until they discovered he was small (5’9″) and light (185 pounds) by football standards. Instead of being angry, he responded. ” ‘Well, you’ve just got to show them sometimes.'” Admitted to the school as a preferred walk-on, a more highly recruited quarterback advocated for him, saying that the country’s #1 high school QB wasn’t as good as Bennett IV. He had a chance, but not much of one. He ran the scout team and shared a locker, indicative of his low status on the team. He transferred to a junior college in Mississippi after seeing the coach recruit another player, Justin Fields, to compete with the returning starter, Jake Fromm. Later, he was recruited to play at Louisiana University. Finally, a coach at The University of Georgia recruited him again and offered him a scholarship to come back. Bennett IV told him it would need to be different this time to return. When he returned, he discovered the coach kept recruiting others and gave them chances ahead of him. It looked like he would be the odd man out again, especially after the new offensive coordinator said as much to him in 2019. But, this time, he decided to keep working and be ready for whenever he was called on. [***Resilience, Not Worry***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bPv) The two new quarterbacks weren’t able to do so. One opted out of the season because of Covid-19. The other wasn’t medically cleared. Bennett IV competed with a freshman but lost out to him. You would think by now he would take a hint and give up on his dream. This year, he was passed over again for the now healthy, medically cleared quarterback who was injured in the first game. Bennett IV led Georgia to a big win over their next opponent, 56-7 in which he threw for five touchdowns in the first half. Yet the following week, Georgia returned to the other quarterback until he was again injured in the first half. Then, they returned to Bennett IV and never changed. Stetson quarterbacked Georgia in the College Football championships and, with his team-leading in a close game, fumbled the ball (it was a questionable call), and the other team, Alabama, recovered and scored a touchdown a few plays later and took the lead. ***A diamond doesn’t become a diamond without pressure.*** Bennett IV decided he would not be why his team lost. Suddenly, he threw with more [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and completed passes all over the field. First, he threw for one long touchdown of 49 yards. Georgia took the lead. On the next possession, he threw for another. Finally, the defense intercepted a pass and scored the final touchdown. He had persevered and won a national championship. There are many lessons we can learn from his story. 1\. **Talent is not enough.** He had talent and showed it in every opportunity he got. However, people have preconceived ideas about what they need or want. Sometimes you are bucking up against people with preconceived notions of how things should be. 2\. **Go where you are wanted.** You can’t make people hire you or believe in you. But, sometimes, they are right. You need more seasoning/experience. Go somewhere where you can get it. 3\. **Follow the dream**. Bennett IV returned to Georgia with a commitment he would have a chance. Get a commitment. 4\. **You may have to prove yourself.** As it turned out, he did not have much of an opportunity initially and needed to earn his chance many times. You may have to, too. 5\. **He [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) relentlessly** for the first opportunity to prove himself. Then, when given it, he delivered again and again and again. 6\. **Bad things will happen**. In the biggest game in his life, he made a critical [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Instead of whining or relentlessly criticizing himself, he decided not to be why his team lost. Bad things will happen. [Resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) and your ability to bounce back are essential. 7\. **Winning teams and people find a way to win**. Learning from your [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is important, but winning teams and people don’t dwell or belabor their [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Instead, they look ahead to find the way, any way to win. Losing teams have great explanations for what happened. No matter where you are in your professional or personal life, there are lessons derived from Paul McCarney, Stetson Fleming Bennett IV, and his team’s victory. Whether you are a leader or a follower, it is always important to review where you are, your current opportunity, and correct course. There are steps to becoming a champion, a price to be paid, and risks. If you are not ready yet, what steps can you take today to move the needle forward each day? What details can you see that might go unnoticed that can have huge results for you and others. Yes, there are lessons you will see if you take a minute to notice. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2022 [***Job Search Resilience And Being Solid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iW7) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[5 Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No B. S. Coaching Advice **Tags:** Roadblocks. Perseverance. Adversity. Resilience. Determination --- ### [LinkedIn Changed. You Need to Change Your Profile](https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-changed-you-need-to-change-your-profile/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** LinkedIn made changes recently that change how you get discovered. Keywords are important but so is context. Let me explain. **Content:** # LinkedIn Changed. You Need to Change Your Profile **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly***](https://youtube.com/shorts/6Ro47k0b5v4) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) made changes recently that change how you get discovered. Keywords are important but so is context. Let me explain. ***[LinkedIn Premium: Is It Worth It?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oyc)*** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) recently changed how people can find you on the platform and can be [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) exemplified by how [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is now working. It now has an AI-assisted feature employing technology in different ways so [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) can now avoid manual filters and paste in all their notes and paste in entire job descriptions into the search bar. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is going to interpret the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) intent and goals, matching candidates based on qualifications that are often difficult to define or are not explicitly listed on a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), such as experience solving ambiguous problems or can lead large cross-functional work streams. This contextual understanding enables the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to deliver better search results and provide a more thorough skill representation for people. Now, what this means for you is you have to use these phrases now in your headline, in your About section, and in your Experience section on the platform and not just simply rely on keywords. It’s a big shift because we’ve all been trained to think in terms of keywords and now [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is shifting the focus to the full [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and the full context of your information. I have more details available in an ebook I released on Amazon called *The Algorithmic Pivot on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)*. It goes into these changes for 2026 that will help you rejigger your profile so that this way more people will find you. *[**Why So Many Interviews?**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouh)* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, carer transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Critical Blind Spot in an Executive Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-okd) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[*Don’t Act Desperate!*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-osJ)*** *You have permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, Text --- ### [Keywords Have Stopped Working on LinkedIn #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/keywords-have-stopped-working-on-linkedin-shorts/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** https://youtube.com/shorts/TnwzoJmotv0 **Content:** # Keywords Have Stopped Working on LinkedIn #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/TnwzoJmotv0)*** LinkedIn’s systems have changed what they want to see in a profile to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you. Keyword stuffing your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile doesn’t work like it once did because they’ve changed how they [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) people and what causes them to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you. Let me explain what you need to do. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me for No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because I make finding work and succeeding at it much easier. I wrote a book called The Algorithmic Pivot available on Amazon that goes into detail about what’s necessary but the short version I’m going to give you today is does your profile read like the answer to a sentence someone might type into the search box on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to find someone like you. So they’re not entering terms anymore. They might search along the lines of find someone who modernized legacy infrastructure and cut cloud costs without breaking reliability or find someone who built a security program to reduce risk and passed audits. Different, right? They’re not going security, legacy infrastructure. You know, they’re not doing it that way. It’s actual sentences and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) has the ability to recognize from your profile and a couple of other places what it is you do and whether or not you fit that that demand. So, the long and the short of it is you need to think differently. The Algorithmic Pivot for 2026, my ebook on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), will help you sort that out and you’ve got to make changes otherwise you’re not going to be discoverable. In addition, I have a lot to help people at JobSearch.Community. Go to the site. Go exploring. Download some of the free stuff. Become an insider or order some of the individual products that I have available. If you’re an insider, you get access to everything, by the way, for one low monthly price but the long and the short of it is I can help you. I can help you understand how to land that next role more quickly [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [ ](https://www.JobSearch.Community) [JobSearch.Community](https://www.JobSearch.Community) [Connect on ](https://⁠https:/www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)[LinkedIn](https://⁠https:/www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [www,linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter](http://www,linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us)**.** He is the host of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [ www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** LinkedIn, Text **Tags:** Keywords Have Stopped Working on LinkedIn --- ### [Understanding Your Personal Value Proposition](https://thebiggamehunter.us/understanding-your-personal-value-proposition/) **Published:** June 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Developing a robust value statement requires time and careful attention, regardless of whether you are pursuing traditional employment or entrepreneurial endeavors. **Content:** # **Understanding Your Personal Value Proposition** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The concept of a value proposition is foundational to effective [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) communication, acting as the bedrock for all personal marketing materials and interactions. Far more comprehensive than a brief introduction, this statement is essentially a clear, powerful story explaining how your specific skills can uniquely or superiorly solve a potential employer’s or customer’s problem. It serves as the single most critical factor determining why someone should hire you over the competition, and it functions as the basis for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) components, including [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) profiles, and even the condensed elevator pitch. Developing a robust value statement requires time and careful attention, regardless of whether you are pursuing traditional [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) or entrepreneurial endeavors. It requires introspection and planning, ultimately requiring four key pieces of information: what you do, who you target, what benefits you provide, and what makes you distinctive. ### The Four Pillars of Your Value Statement 1. **What You Do:** This element demands highly detailed identification of the skills you bring to the table. These should be skills that a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) manager or client would truly value, extending beyond general “soft skills.” For instance, if you are in finance, analytical skills would be highly relevant. 2. **Who is Your Target Employer or Customer:** You must narrow down your focus to align your services or skills with a particular industry or company. If you have worked in a massive field, like the pharmaceutical industry, narrow it down further—are your skills relevant to drug development, finance, or payroll? 3. **What Benefits You Provide:** This is perhaps the most crucial element: the benefit must be what the potential employer or client **perceives** they will gain from [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) you, not simply what you believe you bring. While education and experience are wonderful, the focus should remain on what you can *do for them*. For example, if a company is known to struggle with timely payroll, your value statement should mention your proven [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) in handling payroll without delay. Prior [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), or “homework,” on the role, company, and industry is absolutely essential to understanding their perceived needs. 4. **What Makes You Distinctive (Exclusivity):** This is the differentiator—why should they hire you instead of someone else? This component incorporates storytelling to provide specific details that set you apart. If you find yourself consistently making it to final [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) but not getting selected, the lack of a strong exclusivity piece may be the reason. You must find that niche area that makes you more exclusive than other candidates. For instance, a value statement for a marketing professional might highlight leading marketing teams in the execution of strategic [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) partnerships for specific products on a global level, and ensuring deliverables from concept to completion by emphasizing attributes like innovation and established multiple strong brands globally. This structure shows what they do (lead marketing teams), who they target (sports products globally), the benefits (project management/deliverables), and what makes them distinctive (delivering accessibility, innovation, and established brands). ### How the Mind Processes Value The strength of a value proposition is measured by how effectively the information is delivered, and the mind processes this information in a four-stage process. Understanding these stages ensures your message resonates: 1. **Clarity:** The first step is critical—the audience must understand your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/). If the message is unclear, it will not proceed further. 2. **Credibility:** Once they understand the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-i-tell-them-that-im-going-to-use-their-offer-to-negotiate-with-my-current-job/), the mind asks, “Do I believe you can deliver?” You must successfully sell your credibility. 3. **Appeal:** If clarity and credibility are established, the audience moves to the next level: “I want what you have to offer”. A powerful value proposition that reaches this level can sometimes lead to positions being created, even if a formal job requisition wasn’t open initially. 4. **Exclusivity:** Finally, you must convince them: “I can’t find it anywhere else”. This reinforces why they should choose you over anyone else. While the value proposition provides a detailed, often “beefy” marketing summary suitable for [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and professional profiles, it is distinct from the elevator pitch, which is a shorter, often one- to two-sentence summary designed simply to grab attention and start a conversation. The value proposition provides the essential content and focus from which that shorter pitch is derived. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2025 [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Branding, Text --- ### [Using The Myth of the Passive Job Applicant to Your Advantage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/using-the-myth-of-the-passive-job-applicant-to-your-advantage/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter explains The Myth of the Passive Job Applicant and how to use it to your advantage. **Content:** # Using The Myth of the Passive Job Applicant to Your Advantage **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains The Myth of the Passive Job Applicant and how to use it to your advantage. Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m called [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for more than 40 years. Today, I want to talk with you about the myth of the passive job applicant and how to really use that mythology to your advantage. Now, let me first define what a passive job applicant is in the popular lexicon of [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and corporations. And that is: a passive job applicant is one who doesn’t appear as though they’re actively looking for work. Their [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are not on the job boards because they’re too busy doing what they do in their current [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Now, the myth is that these people are superior to the active job applicants because the active ones are the ones that got [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) by their previous firms because their performance was poorer than others; that the passive job applicant is so busy doing what they’re doing that they would never see the ad on a job board that would cause them to respond. So, these are deemed to be superior applicants to the active ones. Now, it’s a crock. You and I both know that. So, the myth really—I helped to create the myth many, many years ago when I started an agency and I didn’t really have an advertising budget that was worth much of anything. I was in New York at the time. The New York Times was costing something like $25 per column line in the classified listings, three-line minimum, and that would basically put your ad in the lower part of the page. To get any sort of visibility, it had to be on the top of the crease, which meant you ran a 40-line ad at $25 per line. It was really expensive. It’s expensive now, imagine what it was like in the early 70s. So, in creating the myth of the passive applicant, what I would say to people is much like I described. What I do is I recruit people who aren’t actively looking for work. You get the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) person available, not the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) person who’s reading the New York Times on Sunday. And that resonated with organizations. My competitors started to use the line. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) started to ask whether or not I was referring passive job applicants. It was hysterical to me that things were coming full circle and, now, it’s become so popular that there’s a whole mythology created about it, even though it’s factually incorrect. So, recognize that if there’s a firm that ran an ad and you didn’t respond to it, and they found you on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), to them, you’re a passive applicant, even though you’re aggressively looking for a job. That’s how goofy this is. So, to take advantage of the mythology, number one is: where you can, when you’re on a job board, list your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) with a blind heading. By that, I mean you know those listings where no name or address appears and they just have an email address from the job board? Even if you have to pay for it, do it, because that hides the fact that you’re looking for work. By the way, remember, your own employer is on the job boards too, trying to see whether or not their employees are looking for work. So, you want to hide the fact that you’re [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Secondly, in terms of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), which is the obvious place where you want to be found, you want to have a great profile available. Underneath your name, you want to have a list of skills that are your strengths, not just some job title that is so generic it’s purposeless. Better to talk in terms of management experience for particular lines of business, or management experience with certain technologies, or development experience with certain technologies, or accounting experience focus in on, and then you talk about it. You know, think in terms of what’s going to make it easy for someone to figure out whether or not to scroll down to see what you’ve done. You want to pretend a six-year-old is scanning [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) looking for people, and as such, make it obvious for them. So, really what you want to be doing is hiding the fact that you’re looking, even if you’re out of work and aggressively looking, and having a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile where, number one is, your email address is correct. It’s bizarre to me how many people have the wrong email address on their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. Number two is, they have a ridiculous photo of themselves or that image block—there’s no picture there, but there’s a blacked-out image of someone there. It’s goofy. Don’t have a picture of yourself and your partner and your kids up there. Have a professional headshot appear, something that’s going to make them see that you don’t look like a sociopath and that you have a professional demeanor about you. Also, think of your profile as a way of enticing people to contact you. Now, recognize, this means that you have to make yourself available for response. You can have a great [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile and never check to see if you have messages, never respond to messages. What’s the point? You need to be out there putting yourself in the position in order to be found, and that means replying when you get InMails. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found today’s video helpful. If you did, come over to my website, which is jeffaltman.com, and you’ll see a lot more there. Or, of course, you can watch them on YouTube; you can find them at TheBigGameHunterTV. Now, there are two TheBigGameHunterTVs on YouTube—mine is the one that’s done as all one word. So, TheBigGameHunterTV, one word, and you’ll find all my other videos at YouTube. In addition, come over to my website, which is jeffaltman.com, sign up for a complimentary subscription to my ezine, which is called No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice. I publish it on Tuesdays with advice for job hunters that’s good anywhere in the world. You can read many of the previous articles, and as I mentioned, watch videos I’ve done that’ll help you with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). In addition, there are more than 50 sites where you can post your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). There’s information about my books and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). There’s easy-to-work-with CareerBuilder links. There’s access to Indeed on the links page, and [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Universe on the homepage on the bottom. Both Indeed and [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Universe search thousands of sites concurrently for job leads. Listen to podcasts of my radio show, which is No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, which I broadcast on Monday mornings at 9:00 AM on BlogTalkRadio. The podcasts appear on my site later that day. And, if you haven’t already done so, connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). The address is [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). I want to be clear, I don’t connect with third-party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). I do connect with anyone, anywhere else in the world, as long as there’s some information on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile that gives me an idea of what you do. This is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. [***How to Answer The Bizarre Scenario Interview Question***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-PN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** The Myth of the Passive Candidate --- ### [Stop Being the Product: Why You Need to Hire Your Own Ally](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-being-the-product-why-you-need-to-hire-your-own-ally/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** ollow the money to find the right ally—whether it's a recruiter for speed or a career coach for long-term professional equity. **Content:** ## Stop Being the Product: Why You Need to Hire Your Own Ally **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop throwing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a void and getting ghosted. To win the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) game, you must understand who is actually working for you and who is just selling you as a “product” to their corporate clients. Follow the money to find the right ally—whether it’s a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) for speed or a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach for long-term professional [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Welcome to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and today we’re examining the invisible mechanics of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) industry. You spend hours tailoring the perfect [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), only to watch it drop into a bottomless chasm. You wait. You hear nothing. You get ghosted. When the silence gets too loud, you might reach out for professional help. The market offers three primary allies—recruiters, job placement services, and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaches. But picking the wrong partner for your specific situation can waste months of time, drain your savings on useless services, or [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) you in a role that leaves you miserable. To understand which one you should hire, you need to ignore their daily tasks and follow the money. Look at who actually pays their invoice. In this multi-billion dollar ecosystem, the math strictly categorizes you. You are either the client purchasing a service, or the product being sold. Let’s look at [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) first. A [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) is hired and paid directly by a company looking for employees, not by the job seeker. Their financial incentive is significant. A recruiter’s payout is typically a contingency fee, equaling 10 to 35 percent of the candidate’s first year [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). For you, this arrangement means the service costs nothing out of pocket. You are essentially using an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) resource for free. This gives you a distinct advantage. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) identify unlisted roles that are never publicly advertised, providing a direct pipeline to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) managers. However, because the employer signs the check, the recruiter’s loyalty and fiduciary duty lie entirely with that company. If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) doesn’t perfectly match the employer’s strict checklist, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) will discard it and move to a product that does. They do not exist to build your passion. They exist to find the exact puzzle piece that fits their client’s immediate corporate void. Job placement services act as a middleman. They [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) structured support to help entry-to-mid-level candidates submit high volumes of [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) efficiently. But then there is the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach. Here, the economic equation flips. This professional is paid entirely out of your own pocket. Paying out of pocket shifts the power dynamic. You become the sole client, ensuring their absolute loyalty to your [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). A coach provides a deep diagnostic intervention. They analyze your profile to identify specific roadblocks preventing you from landing an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). They implement concrete remedies, running mock [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) to cure [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), fixing structural [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) flaws, and acting as an accountability partner. A [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach is your personal strategist. They prioritize your long-term professional trajectory over an immediate transactional placement. So how do you choose the right ally for your current situation? If you have highly sought-after, clear-cut skills, you know exactly what you want, and you need to move fast, you need a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/). If that is you, then you should let a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) sell you as a premium product to their corporate clients. But if you are stuck, getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) but no offers, or looking to pivot industries, you need a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach. An average [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) consumes nearly 100,000 hours of your life. That time dictates your income, your identity, and your daily well-being. Choosing the right [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) professional isn’t about securing your next paycheck. It’s about taking deliberate control of your long-term professional [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). For more resources and [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), visit jobsearch.community. I’m Jeff Ellman. Thanks for watching. [***How to Answer The Bizarre Scenario Interview Question***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-PN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Text --- ### [Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills is BS #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This slogan is BS AND firms don't just hire for skills either. **Content:** # Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills is BS #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/4yQQR_IoSSE) This slogan is BS AND firms don’t just [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for skills either. [***The 10-Step Guide To Making A Career Transition***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD) #### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/career-coach-office-hours-september-7-2021-part-2-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as training data.*** **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews **Tags:** Hire for Attitude, Train for Skills is BS --- ### [After You Apply for a Job #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/after-you-apply-for-a-job-shorts/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Doing this makes a difference. Try! **Content:** # After You Apply for a Job #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/16KI-72G3CE) Doing this makes a difference. Try! [***The 10-Step Guide To Making A Career Transition***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD) #### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/career-coach-office-hours-september-7-2021-part-2-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job, Follow Up **Tags:** After You Apply for a Job --- ### [Beat the Greenhouse ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-the-greenhouse-ats/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact modifications required to survive the initial technical scan without sacrificing appeal to the human recruiter. **Content:** # Beat the Greenhouse ATS **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to tech companies, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is likely running straight into the Greenhouse platform. Most candidates fail here because they format for humans while ignoring how the system actually parses data. This episode breaks down the exact modifications required to survive the initial technical scan without sacrificing appeal to the human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/). If you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to a modern tech company, there’s a massive chance your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is routed through the Greenhouse platform, and moving past that opaque active status requires a specific technical strategy. An [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), or [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), is the software [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use to organize thousands of candidates into a manageable, structured [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) pipeline. To do this, the system relies on a process called parsing. The software extracts specific data points from your document, like your [contact info](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/), work history, and skills, so [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) can easily search and filter the applicant pool. In this video, we are going to break down step-by-step how to format your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) so it satisfies both the Greenhouse parser and the human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) reading it. Because if you want to land an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), your document has to translate cleanly into structured data, while still looking polished to the human eye. Let’s clear up a major misconception right away. Greenhouse does not automatically reject your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) just because it is missing a few keywords. When a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) opens your profile, they view a split-screen layout. The left side shows the structured data parsed from your file and a short [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) summary. On the right, they see the exact visual [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) you uploaded. They read your actual document. Since the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and the human look at two different representations of the exact same file, a successful [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) must cater perfectly to both simultaneously. [***Surviving the ATS Parser***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-p6L) **Step one** is fixing your format. You need to transition your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a clean, single-column, text-based [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/). That means stripping out complex visual elements. Remove tables, text boxes, progress bar graphics, and multi-column templates. You must also follow a strict placement rule for [contact information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/). It must live in the main body of the text, never in the document header or footer. If you ignore these formatting rules, the parser struggles to read the file, and Greenhouse’s [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) summarizer will pull blank or scrambled data. Sacrificing heavy graphic design for structural simplicity ensures the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can accurately validate your experience. **Step two** is standardizing your data. Rename your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) sections to use exact standard terms: Professional Experience, Education, and Skills. You also need to format all of your [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) dates chronologically, using the month and year standard, like October 2022. The system calculates your total tenure based on this exact date format. Using ambiguous phrasing breaks that calculation. **Step three** is building your skills block. Create a dedicated, comma-separated skill section that mirrors the exact terminology used in the target job description. The Greenhouse [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) utilizes this specific skills block to generate a match score, comparing your profile directly against the open role. Using exact terminology makes your profile discoverable when [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use search filters to narrow down a high-volume applicant pool. **Step four** takes us beyond the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and into the actual [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) submission process, specifically looking at the custom knockout questions on the form. These are the mandatory questions you answer when [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/), asking about things like work authorization requirements or specific industry certifications. This specific form input is the only place Greenhouse actively auto-rejects candidates based on system rules. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) text is not algorithmically rejected. The auto-reject is entirely driven by how you answer these specific binary form questions. Surviving the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) phase comes down to answering those [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) questions accurately, while providing perfectly structured data for the human review. Your optimization is now complete. You have a clean, single-column, keyword-matched, text-based [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/). This optimized document now feeds the Greenhouse parser the structured data it needs, while simultaneously remaining readable for the person reviewing your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). By aligning your format with how the platform actually functions, you ensure your qualifications reach the recruiter’s screen exactly as intended. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [***That’s Just The Way I Am***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9B1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System --- ### [How to Recover Work Successes for Your Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-recover-work-successes-for-your-resume/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to stand out, you need to excavate the specific data points that prove your impact—even if you've already lost access to your old company's systems. **Content:** # How to Recover Work Successes for Your Resume **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) fail because they look like a list of chores, not a record of wins. If you want to stand out, you need to excavate the specific data points that prove your impact—even if you’ve already lost access to your old company’s systems. This episode gives you the exact framework to turn routine tasks into measurable achievements that [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) managers can’t ignore. Timestamps 0:00 – Why [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) managers ignore routine task lists. 0:30 – The PAR Method: Shifting from tasks to measurable results. 1:08 – How to mine your data while you still have internal access. 1:51 – Starting a [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Journal to simplify future job hunts. 2:18 – Recovery strategies if you’re already locked out of company systems. 3:11 – Using proxy metrics to quantify your impact without financial reports. 3:43 – The STAR Method: Packaging your data for behavioral [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). 3:58 – Before and after: Turning “worked the till” into a performance marker. Welcome back to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV. In this episode, we are breaking down exactly how to excavate your past professional successes so you can leverage them for [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), regardless of whether you still have access to your old company’s systems. Many applicants hit a wall when updating a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because they view their own history as a series of routine tasks rather than achievements. Because the work felt normal to you on a daily basis, it is easy to assume it looks unremarkable to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) manager. To bridge this gap, look at your history through the PAR method, Problem, Action, and Results. This framework shifts your focus away from what you were told to do and toward the specific business problems you solved and the measurable outcomes you delivered. Generating these statements requires more than memory. You need to conduct a systematic historical audit of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) to find the concrete evidence that supports these claims. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) managers treat every line on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as an indicator of future performance, meaning your professional history only becomes an effective sales tool once it includes excavated proof of your impact. The most efficient way to gather this proof is to mine your data, while you still have access to your internal corporate network. Your past email history is an archive of your forgotten successes. You can filter massive inboxes by using specific search operators, like Has Attachment Yes to find old project deliverables. Searching for words like thanks, fixed, or exceeded often surfaces positive [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) and metric wins that have slipped your mind. Beyond email, you should proactively download copies of your official HR reviews, official job descriptions, and monthly KPI reports. Moving these files to a personal off-site storage drive ensures you retain the primary sources of your performance data. [***Why Your “Master Resume” Is Killing Your Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oWm) You can simplify future audits by maintaining a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) journal. Logging metric goals, project milestones, and successful fires you’ve put out in real time creates a continuous record of your value. Archiving these primary sources while you are still employed creates a permanent record of your work that exists outside of company control. It ensures that even after a sudden departure, you have the specific data points needed to build a case for your next role. If you’ve left a position, the digital corporate trail goes cold. Being locked out of internal systems makes proving your impact difficult, but not impossible. You can often recover context using the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. By finding old snapshots of your company’s website, you can verify the scale of past projects or the specific public-facing goals of your department. For the undocumented daily work, use a mental excavation framework. Ask yourself, what fires did you consistently put out? Or try the if you vanished test. If you had disappeared tomorrow, what specific workflows would have broken or stopped getting done? You can also benchmark your performance by looking at what a replacement job posting would list as requirements. If you consistently met those targets while others struggled, or handled a volume of work that exceeded the average, you’ve identified a verifiable achievement. Even without exact financial reports, you can quantify your impact using proxy metrics. By identifying the range of clients you managed, the frequency of a high-volume task, or the scale of a project’s reach, you can turn abstract work into concrete data. A lack of direct system access doesn’t equate to a lack of evidence. Your professional value can be reconstructed by looking at the footprint you left behind and the comparative results you achieved. Once you have excavated this raw data, it must be translated into a format that a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) or a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) manager can easily digest. This is where you apply the STAR method. Situation, task, action, and result. This structure ensures that your data is packaged as a concise narrative, specifically designed for behavioral [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) questions. This reframing turns simple duties into performance markers. Instead of saying you worked the till, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) now shows you exceeded daily sales targets by 15 to 20%. ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Preparation **Tags:** How to Recover Work Successes for Your Resume --- ### [Sometimes You Just Need to Laugh #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sometimes-you-just-need-to-laugh-shorts/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Try this if your job search is wearing you down. **Content:** # Sometimes You Just Need to Laugh #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Try this if your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is wearing you down. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the creator, producer and original host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Attitude/Mood, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Sometimes You Just Need to Laugh --- ### [4 Signs the Hiring Manager May Discriminate #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-signs-the-hiring-manager-may-discriminate-shorts/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** in this video, I point out 4 signs that a hiring manager may be discriminating against people like you. **Content:** # 4 Signs the Hiring Manager May Discriminate **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/0UYLPL6Wadc) in this video, I point out 4 signs that a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager may be discriminating against people like you. ***[The Easiest Way to Negotiate a Higher Salary for Yourself](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-pH)*** Four ways to spot potential racism in an environment. The first one is, of course, lack of diversity in the company, in the group, whatever it is that you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with. The fact that there’s no diversity in the organization given US population. . . It’s pretty striking. Next, if they have a dismissive attitude early in the conversation. Like they’ve spoken with you for five minutes, and then they’re not paying attention anymore, that could be a signal. A lack of communication. If the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is unresponsive or vague in their communication and answering your questions, that could be a signal of it. And of course, questions about your personal life. It’s not the appropriate the appropriate thing to do. There’s more in the blog at my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[The First Rule of Salary Negotiation](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-89)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Bias, Discrimination, Text **Tags:** 4 signs of a racist hiring manager, 4 Signs the Hiring Manager May Discriminate, discrimination in hiring, discrimination in hiring process, discrimination in recruitment, discriminatory hiring, racism in hiring, signs of racism in hiring, signs the hiring manager may discriminate --- ### [What Parts of a LinkedIn Profile Do Employers Typically Look At? Even If You Aren't Looking?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-parts-of-a-linkedin-profile-do-employers-typically-look-at-even-if-you-arent-looking/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What aspects of a LinkedIn profile do employers typically look at? Is it beneficial to have a LinkedIn profile even if you are not actively job searching? **Content:** # What Parts of a LinkedIn Profile Do Employers Typically Look At? Even If You Aren’t Looking? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/OT2yy6J2jH0) What aspects of a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile do [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) typically look at? Is it beneficial to have a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile even if you are not actively job searching? [***10 LinkedIn Mistakes That Are Costing You Opportunities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cHH) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***LinkedIn Hates People Who Are Unemployed***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ku8) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn **Tags:** What Parts of a LinkedIn Profile Do Employers Typically Look At? Even If You Aren't Looking? --- ### [The Visit | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-visit-the-no-bs-coaching-advice-podcast/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A trip to New York has set off an alarm, a trigger for me. What sets things off for you? **Content:** # The Visit | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** A trip to New York has set off an alarm, a trigger for me. What sets things off for you? Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and you’re listening to the [No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/). I try to do a show regularly to talk about life, the universe, and everything, and this one’s going to be an interesting one because I’m going to talk about something that’s going on with me. And I’m doing a trip to New York this weekend, uh, to visit with an old childhood friend who’s dying. Uh, brain cancer, apparently um, no treatment is appropriate at this point, and a group of us with who grew up together visiting visiting him, um, I’ll call it the farewell tour. And the visit has kind of triggered some stuff for me. Um, the kind of uh indirect memories of um life coming to a conclusion for me, for him, for others, and it’s not like I’m ill, but it’s the awareness that someone with whom I was very young, um, is not going to be with me much longer. And um, it’s been disturbing, and it showed up this morning in a conversation with my wife where, you know, my son who’s a teenager, uh, and doing all sorts of age-appropriate stuff of complaining about where he’s living, and no matter what he does, you know, he’s not living much of a life because all he does is go to school and work, and doesn’t have much time for anything else, and you know, “Welcome to life, kid.” And um, it started triggering something for me about no matter what I did, it wasn’t enough. You know, the sacrifices and choices that I made uh to take care of family. Um, and I’m curious to see how it’s going to be activated this weekend. So, I’ll do another show uh early next week. I I believe I already have one scheduled for Monday, but I’ll release another one later in the week um for my return. So, um just wanted to give you a sense that all of us have stuff that triggers us, and we’re not always immediately aware of it. And it’s funny how it shows up. So, for example, my visit uh causes me to be activated about this trip that I’m doing, and the result winds up being that, you know, suddenly I become very sensitive to something that’s fairly innocuous. So, uh hope you have a great weekend and follow me next week for more. [***The Importance Of Personal Branding In The Workplace***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hzg) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/)? Over 60? [Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)? Never Forget This*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content* **Categories:** No BS Coaching Advice Podcast **Tags:** A visit, Alarms, solopreneur coaching, Triggers --- ### [Be Seen. Be Known. #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Being invisible to others is a surefire way to have a rougher job search. **Content:** # Be Seen. Be Known. #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/JwWeUwJR54c) Being invisible to others is a surefire way to have a rougher [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [***The Importance Of Personal Branding In The Workplace***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hzg) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/)? Over 60? [Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)? Never Forget This*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Branding **Tags:** Be Seen. Be Known. --- ### [Do This Before Submitting Your Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-this-before-submitting-your-resume-jobsearchradio/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter demands that you do this before you send out any resume. **Content:** # Do This Before Submitting Your Resume ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)**** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) demands that you do this before you send out any [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [***If Job Boards Don’t Work, What Does?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cSm) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m a coach who helps people with [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading, you know, being more effective with workplace issues, in general. Someone asked a great question which is “Why do [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ask if I’m [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) at other companies?” Now, they’re posing this during an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) which is . . . it could be a phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) where they’re doing an initial screening. It could be in a face-to-face [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) but you know they’re being asked during some version of screening [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). The answer really depends on whether you’re a corporate or an agency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) on the standpoint of a corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and, to some degree, an agency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). What they’re trying to find out is how far along are you in your process. Are you close to another [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Do you have a sense of what the money is going to be like in that other [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or that other situation? What’s going on for you? Are other firms finding you valuable? So, the idea is that you never make it seem like you’re exceedingly active because active job hunters tend to be devalued in the marketplace but you can say, “You know, I’ve been talking with a couple of firms that seem interested. They’re talking about some decent money.” “What kind of money are they talking about?” “Well we haven’t gotten to the final number yet but they’re talking about a range of . . . ” and you’re talking about the numbers that this firm, these firms are ostensibly talking about. “How far along are you?” “I’m like one or two [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) ahead. Seems like we’re gonna be talking on a couple of more occasions before an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) would be made or they make a decision.” And the idea is to say it very casually because you don’t want to [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) the agency or corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) at all. You don’t want to make the corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), in particular, back off with submitting you further because they were [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) that they won’t be able to get to the finish line with you as soon as these other things. So speak casually. Do not make it seem as though you’re very close to an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) and expect to have one later in the week. That won’t work. Now, here’s the other reason that involves agency [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Every company you tell them about, every firm that you identify . . . that’s a lead for them and they’re going to go try and get that lead, get the job to work on and try and fill it, in effect creating competition for you. I remember there used to be one guy in my old office who . . . I’m gonna use an old company name that doesn’t exist anymore . . . Bear Stearns “Ah, did you meet with Jerry (whatever the last name would be)?” “No, I talked to so-and-so.” “No, no.” I don’t know him. And the next call would be to whoever it was that they had mentioned in an effort to get the job lead. So, recognize everything that you’re asked has a purpose to it and when you reveal information it doesn’t necessarily help you. It helps the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) decide something about you [***It’s Not Always What You Know But Who You Know***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-M) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/salary-negotiation-mistakes-giving-them-a-range-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Convert Online Networking Into Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2dj) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site, [⁠JobSearch.Community⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) [***8 Things You Should Do When Starting a Job Search***](https://youtu.be/a4LY5MPvi_c) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. [***The #1 Lie Employers and Recruiters Tell***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4x0) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applying for a Job, Preparation, Text **Tags:** Do This Before Submitting Your Resume, does your resume fit the job, fixing your resume, Submitting Your Resume, tailoring your resume --- ### [H-1B Job Search: No BS Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/h-1b-job-search-no-bs-advice/) **Published:** June 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # H-1B Job Search: No BS Advice **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Looking for a job while you’re on an H‑1B is not the same game as everyone else is playing. You’re not just selling skills; you’re selling a package that includes immigration risk, timing, and government rules most [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers barely understand. You can pretend it’s all the same and follow generic advice, or you can deal with the reality and play the game like someone who wants to win, not just “see what happens.” ## Stop hiding your constraints A lot of people on H‑1B try to hide it as long as possible, like it’s a bad secret. That usually blows up later when the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) finds out you need sponsorship and suddenly “the role went in a different direction.” You’ve just wasted weeks. Be clear and concise early with [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and companies: what status you’re on, how much time is left, whether you’re portable, and what your timeline is. You’re screening them as much as they’re screening you. The ones who can’t deal with reality are saving you from a bad outcome. ## Target firms that already play this game Some companies act like sponsoring is brain surgery. Others treat it as a normal cost of getting great people. You want the second group. Use public information and tools that show historical sponsorship to your advantage. If a firm has never sponsored anyone, don’t make them your primary target. Spend most of your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) on [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) that have already shown they’re willing to do H‑1B or other employment-based sponsorship. That’s where your odds of serious conversations are higher from the start. ## Stop letting recruiters jerk you around There’s a special kind of misery in dealing with [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who don’t understand or don’t care about H‑1B rules. They promise you anything to get your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and then disappear when immigration comes up. You need to manage them like a pro. Ask direct questions early: - “Have you placed H‑1B candidates with this client before?” - “Is the client open to H‑1B transfers or future sponsorship?” - “Who makes the immigration decision on their side—HR, legal, or the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager?” If you get vague answers, slow responses, or lots of “should be fine,” treat that as a red flag. A [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) who is [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) to be blunt with you will also be [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) to be blunt with their client. ***[Navigating the New H-1B Visa: Complete Guide to Fees, Rules, and High-Skilled Work in the U.S.](https://amzn.to/4eAlM8Z)*** ## Build a backchannel, not just a front door People obsess over the formal posting and forget that a lot of the visa decision is emotional. If someone already knows you and wants you, they’ll push harder to get sponsorship done. That means you can’t just live in the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). You want backchannel advocates: alumni, ex‑coworkers, vendors, and even people you meet at meetups and conferences who can say, “I know this person. They’re worth the paperwork.” That kind of voice cuts through a lot of fear on the employer side. It’s not just “Can we do this?” It becomes “We need to do this for this person.” ## Use non-obvious connections The easy [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is obvious: ex‑managers, teammates, classmates. The non-obvious stuff is where you differentiate yourself. Look for people who share a niche with you—same open-source project, same professional association, same tech stack in a specific domain. Vendors, consultants, and even people you’ve only interacted with online can be bridges into companies. Many will have zero emotional baggage around H‑1B because they see your skill first. That’s the point: expand beyond the obvious routes where everyone else is already knocking. ## Create proof of value that travels Immigration status is a risk in employers’ minds. Your job is to overwhelm that risk with visible, portable proof that you create value. Not buzzwords—evidence. That means: - Public code, articles, talks, or case studies that show you know what you’re doing. - A clear, outcome-focused [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that scream, “This person makes us money, saves us money, or reduces pain.” - Content that gets you found: posts, videos, or short writeups that show how you think about problems in your field. If someone can search your name and quickly conclude, “We’d be lucky to have this person,” you’ve changed the conversation from “Do we want to sponsor?” to “Can we find a way not to lose them?” ## Run parallel tracks, not a single bet On H‑1B, the biggest [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is betting everything on one path: one [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), one extension, one lottery, one company. That’s how people wind up panicked and desperate. You need parallel tracks. That might mean: - Multiple active processes instead of falling in love with one “dream company.” - Talking to different types of employers—product companies, consultancies, smaller firms that move faster. - Staying in touch with immigration counsel so you understand timing, grace periods, and backup routes. The mindset shift is critical: your status is a constraint, but it’s not an excuse to behave passively. You’re running a multi‑track campaign, not just hoping one [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) saves you. ![How to Secure Your H-1B Visa: A Practical Guide for International Professionals and Their US Employers](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71B82yGF9lL._AC_UY218_.jpg) # ***[How to Secure Your H-1B Visa: A Practical Guide for International Professionals and Their US Employers](https://amzn.to/3SiNbVu)*** ## Get ruthlessly good at timing The calendar matters more for you than for most candidates. Transfers, start dates, grace periods—these aren’t details; they’re survival. Stop treating timing like background noise. Map out your critical dates: I‑94 expiry, visa stamp, petition dates, grace windows. Use that to decide how aggressive you need to be and how hard you can push for faster [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). When you talk to companies, be able to say, “Here’s my timeline and where I have flexibility.” That [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) helps them see you as organized and lowers their [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) about “messy paperwork.” ## Don’t let fear turn you into a commodity Fear makes people shrink. On H‑1B, that often looks like taking anything, saying yes to everything, and wiping all personality off your profile because you’re terrified of scaring someone away. Ironically, that’s exactly how you blend into the pile and get ignored. You still need a sharp story: who you are professionally, what you’re [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) at, and what kinds of problems you want to solve next. You’re not begging for permission to stay; you’re offering serious value that happens to come with paperwork. The more you act like a scared exception, the more they treat you like one. The more you operate like a strong hire who happens to be on H‑1B, the easier it is for the right [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to say, “Yes, we’ll make this work.” Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![JeffAltman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)JeffAltman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching, all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching, job coaching, and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes, and is a former member of The Forbes Coaches Council. *Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching, advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership coaching? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) If you want to learn how to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) like a pro, order “[The Ultimate Job Interview Framework](https://www.udemy.com/course/the-ultimate-job-interview-framework/)” from udemy.com www.TheBigGameHunter.us/interviews The Kindle and print versions are available on Amazon. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” [Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2). It helps other people discover the show like you did. *[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) owns the copyright in and to all content in and transcripts of No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio podcast, [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Radio Podcast, The No BS Coaching Advice podcast, JobSearchTV.com ,and other content with all rights reserved, as well as his right of publicity.* **Categories:** H-1b **Tags:** H-1b job search No BS Advice --- ### [Optimize Your LinkedIn to Attract Headhunters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/optimize-your-linkedin-to-attract-headhunters/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode lays out the exact strategy to clean up your digital footprint, optimize your LinkedIn profile for algorithmic search, and turn yourself into a magnet for executive recruiters. **Content:** # Optimize Your LinkedIn to Attract Headhunters **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop wasting hours submitting [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) to public job boards only to get ghosted. Up to 90% of top-tier roles are filled through hidden networks and direct headhunting, never making it to public sites. This episode lays out the exact strategy to clean up your digital footprint, optimize your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile for algorithmic search, and turn yourself into a magnet for executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Look at the top executive placements in your industry. Up to 90% of those roles are filled through [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and direct headhunting, never making it to public job boards. Actively submitting [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) and waiting to be chosen is an exhausting cycle, but there is a high-leverage alternative: positioning yourself so the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) come to you. To execute this strategy, you need exactly three things to start: an existing [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, a private web browser, and a highly specific target title. Controlling what a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) finds during their initial discovery phase shifts the focus from your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to your [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). This prepares the ground to move the conversation from “Why should we hire you?” to “Are you open to a conversation?” Step one is seeing what [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) see. Open an incognito or private browser window right now. This prevents your past browsing history from skewing the results. Search your full name. You need to review the first three pages of results, and do not skip the images and videos tabs. As you scan, log every link in a spreadsheet. Categorize each result into one of three buckets: positive assets that support your expertise, neutral links like old directory listings, or negative content that could [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) a red flag. Pay close attention to forgotten accounts on older platforms. An inactive blog from 10 years ago might show up on page one, and if it misrepresents your current executive level, it needs to be deleted or updated. Curating this footprint aggressively guarantees that the first piece of information a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager discovers aligns perfectly with the role you want. Once your public search results are clean, we move to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Treat this platform not as a social network, but as a database. Headhunters use strict Boolean search strings to pull candidates from it. To match their queries, select five to eight core keywords. These should be industry-standard job titles and verifiable hard skills. Do not use your internal company jargon. An outside headhunter will never search for a title like “Associate Level 3.” Use the universal terms for your profession. The algorithm weights your profile headline heavier than any other section. This is exactly where you must inject those primary target titles and skills. Next, take your secondary keywords and weave them into the first 300 characters of your about section. Scroll down to your skill section and populate it with 15 to 25 specific, verifiable hard skills. You might be tempted to turn on the public green “Open to Work” banner. Keep it off. Broadcasting your availability to the entire network can inadvertently signal desperation to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers. Instead, navigate to your preferences and toggle the setting to the private “Recruiters Only” option. This maintains your exclusivity while keeping you visible to the right people. Optimizing these specific fields aligns your profile with the filters headhunters use to map the talent market. You have moved from being hidden in the database to being surfaced in their top-tier searches. With your profile optimized, you can activate what we call pull visibility. This is the process of drawing headhunters to you by demonstrating clear subject matter expertise. You don’t have to post constantly. Instead, find trending industry posts and leave a deep, multi-sentence analytical comment. Go beyond simply clicking the like button and actually add to the conversation. If you prefer to avoid the main feed entirely, write niche, long-form articles or contribute your expertise to specialized online communities like GitHub or industry Discord servers. You will know this is working when you start tracking your inbound connections. When relevant professionals send you requests based on your insights, the strategy is taking hold. Producing these public, domain-specific insights elevates you. You transition from a cold data point in a search query into a recognized and vetted industry authority. Now we engage the gatekeepers directly. Identify six to ten retained executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who operate specifically in your niche, and send them a personalized connection request. Retained [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are paid by the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) company. Provide upfront value by sending non-obvious market intelligence about competitors. Actively [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) talented colleagues. This exchange makes you a friend of the firm, the first person they call for new mandates. By treating the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) as an investigative peer, you secure permanent access to their hidden, unadvertised pipeline of executive roles. This is how you shift the balance of power. You step out of the exhausting role of an active applicant hoping to be chosen, and step into the position of a highly sought-after passive candidate. Your clean digital footprint, your algorithmic keyword optimization, and your inner-circle [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) relationships function as one continuous automated magnet, pulling high-level opportunities directly to you. There’s a lot more to help you at JobSearch.Community. Become an Insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. ***[15 Ways To Evaluate Headhunters And Recruiters](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k02)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn **Tags:** Optimize Your LinkedIn to Attract Headhunters --- ### [AI-SEO: Get Noticed by Gemini and Perplexity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-seo-get-noticed-by-gemini-and-perplexity/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Now, the linear path of being found or discovered has been replaced by a multidimensional web of AI-driven discovery. **Content:** # AI-SEO: Get Noticed by Gemini and Perplexity **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In the traditional job market, the path to [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) was linear: you wrote a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), uploaded it to a portal, and hoped a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) or a basic keyword-matching algorithm ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) found you. Now, that linear path has been replaced by a multidimensional web of AI-driven discovery. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) now use “Agentic Search,” asking platforms like Gemini, Perplexity, or specialized enterprise LLMs to “find me three project managers with experience in decentralized finance and a track record of scaling remote teams.” If your name and [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) are not structured to be understood by these models, you are effectively invisible, regardless of your talent. This guide outlines the foundational steps for ‘Personal AI-SEO’—the art of optimizing your digital footprint so you are the answer to the recruiter’s prompt. # 1. The Consistency of the Digital Entity Large Language Models (LLMs) do not view the internet as a collection of pages; they view it as a web of ‘entities.’ For an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model to recommend you, it must first be certain that ‘Jane Doe’ on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is the same ‘Jane Doe’ who wrote a viral industry article on Medium and the same ‘Jane Doe’ mentioned in a corporate press release. Information workers often make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of using fragmented identities—professional names on some sites and casual handles on others. To fix this, consolidate your “Entity Identity.” Use your full professional name across all platforms. In your bios, use a consistent “Anchor Phrase.” For example, if you are a “Cybersecurity Architect specializing in Zero Trust,” that exact phrase should appear in your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) headline, your X bio, and your personal website. This repetition helps the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) cluster all your disparate digital activities into a single, high-authority profile. # 2. Migrating from ‘Private’ to ‘Public’ Proof For decades, the most valuable information about a worker’s skill was locked inside a private [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or a password-protected internal company portal. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agents cannot crawl these. ***If your expertise only exists in a document on your hard drive, it does not exist in the eyes of an LLM.*** Information workers must begin “leaking” their expertise into the public domain. This doesn’t mean sharing trade secrets; it means sharing your *methodology*. Instead of just listing “Agile Project Management” as a skill, write a public post or a blog entry titled “How I use Agile to reduce sprint cycles by 20% in FinTech environments.” By publishing this, you provide the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) with ‘tokens’—specific, context-rich words—that associate your name with high-level problem-solving. This moves you from a “keyword match” to a “proven solution” in the AI’s logic. # 3. Optimizing for Natural Language Queries [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) no longer search for “Python + SQL + 5 years experience.” They search for natural language outcomes. They ask, “Who can help us transition our legacy data to the cloud?” To be cited, your public profile must mirror these natural language questions. On your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) ‘About’ section or personal [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), include a “How I Help” section. Frame your skills as answers to common industry problems. Use full sentences and narrative structures, as LLMs are trained to prioritize well-structured, informative prose over bulleted lists of nouns. The more your written content sounds like a high-quality answer to a recruiter’s question, the more likely the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is to cite you as the source of that answer. # 4. The Role of Community Participation [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) models like Perplexity use Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), which means they browse the live web for the most current information. They often look toward community hubs where experts congregate. For information workers, being active in public [Slack](https://thebiggamehunter.us/slack-channels-shorts/) archives, Discord servers with web-viewable logs, and industry-specific forums is critical. When you answer a peer’s question in a public forum, you are inadvertently [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to see you as an authority. Every helpful comment, GitHub pull request, or Stack Overflow answer acts as a digital “vote” for your expertise that an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agent can count. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 # ***[The Paper LBO: Proven Methods for Acing the Private Equity Interview](https://amzn.to/4aCBz4Z)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching, all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching, job coaching, and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching, advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership coaching? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** AI-SEO: Get Noticed by Gemini and Perplexity --- ### [Hard Work, No Results: The Hard Truth #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Doing the right things doesn't guarantee anything. **Content:** # Hard Work, No Results: The Hard Truth #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/5VqJiwxI25g)*** ***Doing the right things doesn’t guarantee anything.*** [***A Free AI Cover Letter Generator from a Good Source***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-l2c) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Is Getting Hired Right on the Spot a Red Flag?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b9a)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles **Tags:** Hard Work No Results: The Hard Truth --- ### [Common Job Interview Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/common-job-interview-mistakes/) **Published:** May 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3051 These are critical mistakes individuals often make during job interviews without realizing the negative impact.  **Content:** # Common Job Interview Mistakes **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***EP 3051 These are critical [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) individuals often make during [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) without realizing the negative impact.*** [***\#Over50? 10 Things You MUST Do to Get Better #JobSearch Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h5i) Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today, we’re tackling something really crucial if you’re out there in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). And we’re not just talking the really obvious blunders. We want to dissect those subtle errors, the ones that, well, they can trip you up, even if you’re a fantastic candidate. Exactly. It’s quite surprising how often really qualified people stumble, not because of skills, but just how they come across in that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) room, or the virtual room these days. So we’re going to unpack a whole range of these missteps, everything from that first tell me about yourself question. Always tricky. All the way to the questions you should be asking at the end. OK, so our mission here is to give you, the listener, a real edge. If you understand why certain things [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/), well, you can avoid them. Yeah, boost your chances significantly. OK, let’s dive in. Right. So first up, a really common one, oversharing, just talking too much, maybe losing focus. Yeah, the rambling. Yeah. Nerves kick in, right? Absolutely. You feel you need to fill the silence. And sometimes, well, you fill it with stuff that’s just not relevant. It’s like that nervous [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). You just want to sort of word vomit your whole life story. But you have to remember what they’re actually looking for. Precisely. They’re trying to figure out, do you have the skills, the experience for this specific job? Right. So when they say, tell me about yourself, and you launch into, I don’t know, your first summer job stacking shelves, or your pet’s name. OK, maybe not the pet’s name. Hopefully not. But things that aren’t really hitting the mark for this role, it kind of suggests you might struggle to focus on what’s important. Yeah, makes sense. So less life story, more professional highlights real, tailored to the job. Exactly. Keep it concise, maybe around two minutes for that opening, any longer. And you dilute the core message, which is why you’re a great fit right here, right now. Got it. OK, what’s next? Another common [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/)? Bad-mouthing previous [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Oh, this is a big one. It’s tempting, though, isn’t it? If you had a bad experience, you kind of want to vent. It is tempting, understandably so, sometimes. But it just doesn’t reflect well on you. Because the interviewer is sitting there thinking, what are they going to say about us in a year or two? Exactly. It raises questions about professionalism, negativity. Are you going to be a good team member? So even if the last place was a disaster? Find a different way, a more constructive way to frame why you left or why you’re looking. OK, so what’s the alternative, then? Focus on the positive, on what you’re seeking. Talk about the future. Maybe you want more growth, more responsibility, a more collaborative team. So pivot from the negative past to the positive future you want. That’s it. Keeps it forward-looking, professional. Strategic. I like it. OK, what about long-term goals? When they ask, where do you see yourself? How do you avoid making it sound like you’re just passing through? Yeah, that’s another tricky one. If you start talking about plans that, well, clearly don’t involve sticking around in this role for long. Starting your own totally different business in six months. Or switching [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) entirely soon. Right. That’s going to [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) commitment concerns for this specific job. So even if you do have those bigger, different plans brewing, maybe keep them under wraps for now. At the **[interview stage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/thank-you-letters-after-second-third-or-any-late-stage-interview-thebiggamehuntertv/)**, yes. It’s usually [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). ***[How To Avoid Age Bias In Your Job Search](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hEc)*** Focus instead on your professional development within the company. How you want to grow there. Exactly. How you see yourself learning, taking on more, contributing to their [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). You want to show you’re invested in this opportunity, even if your five-year plan looks different privately. Right. Makes sense. OK, another one I’ve heard about sounding desperate. Oh, definitely. A big red flag. We all need a job, but there’s a way that comes across badly. Absolutely. Saying things like, oh, I’ll take anything, or honestly, nobody else is calling me back. Ouch. Yeah, it’s alarming for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). They start wondering, well, why isn’t anyone else calling you back? Is there something wrong here? It makes them doubt your qualifications, maybe. Or your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). Exactly. It suggests maybe you don’t value yourself, or maybe you aren’t actually a good fit if you’re that desperate. So the better approach. Focus on the why. Why this job? Why this company? Frame it as a positive choice. Like, I’m choosing you because. Precisely. Highlight your genuine interest in the role, the mission, the team, whatever resonates. Make it sound like a deliberate decision, not a last resort. OK. Now let’s talk personal stuff. Yes. Discussing personal issues. Where’s the line in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Yeah, tricky territory. Generally, it’s [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) to avoid bringing up personal medical conditions early on, especially if they don’t affect your ability to do the job’s core function. And if you need accommodations? That’s a conversation for after a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), not before. [**Keep the initial interviews focused**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-i-keep-my-focus-during-a-multiday-multisite-interview-jobsearchtv-com/) on your skills and experience. Right. What about other personal things? Politics, [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) history. Politics. Just, no. Avoid it completely. It’s a minefield. Even if you think you know the interviewer’s views, too risky. Agreed. And [**previous salary**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-apply-for-a-job-at-half-my-previous-salary-2/)? You’re usually not obligated to share that. If they ask, you can pivot. Politely shift to discussing your expected [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) for this role based on your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and experience. Good pivot. OK, now this is an interesting one. The we versus I balance when talking about accomplishment. Ah, yes. The subtle art of attribution. It’s important. If you only say we, especially for collaborative projects. They don’t know what you actually did. Exactly. It obscures your individual contribution. They’re left wondering, OK, the team did great, but what was your specific impact? But then if you only say I, I, I. Then you risk sounding like you’re not a team player, maybe a bit arrogant or self-centered. So it’s a blend. It’s a strategic blend. Use I when you’re talking about your specific actions, your direct responsibilities, the results you drove. Use we when acknowledging the team effort, the shared [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Showcase individual impact and teamwork. OK, related to that, how do you sound confident without tipping over into, well, cocky? It’s a fine line, isn’t it? [Confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) is about clearly stating your skills, backing them up with evidence. Arrogance is more like boastfulness, maybe dismissing others. So how do you hit that sweet spot, knowing you’re good, but not sounding like you think you’re the only one who’s good? Quantify. Quantify your impact whenever you can. Don’t just say, I improve sales. [***Staying Relevant***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-enx) I increased sales by 15% in six months by doing X, Y, and Z. See, specifics, data. Right, tangible results. And show some humility. Acknowledge team members. Show you’re open to learning. Avoid sounding infallible. Data plus humility, got it. Now prep. Everyone knows you need to prepare, but can you actually over-prepare? Oh, absolutely. You can if you memorize answers like a script. You sound like a robot. Exactly. It lacks authenticity. Interviewers want a real conversation, get a feel for your personality, how you think. A script just creates a barrier. So know your stuff, have your examples ready, but deliver it naturally. Precisely. Know your key messages, your stories, but be present, be genuine. Respond to the actual question in the moment. Okay, and what kind of prep actually matters? Because people can focus on the wrong things, right? Very common [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Spending hours memorizing, I don’t know, the names of CEOs from 10 years ago, or obscure company history. Stuff that isn’t really relevant to the role today. Right. What does matter is understanding their business now. What are their products, their services? What are their recent challenges or successes? And critically, what does this specific role entail day to day? What are they looking for? So connect your skills to their current needs, not their ancient history. That’s the key. Show how you can solve their problems, contribute to their goals. And [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) aren’t all the same, are they? Different stages mean different approaches. Definitely. A first round screen is different from a final panel [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), assuming they’re the same as a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). What’s the difference typically? Well, the first round might be more about basic qualifications, just checking the boxes. Later rounds dig deeper into strategic thinking, cultural fit, problem solving. So Taylor, you’re prepped for each stage. Exactly. Know the goal of that specific [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Okay, let’s shift gears slightly. **[Executive level interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/executive-level-interviews-12-steps-to-win-the-job/)**. Are there specific [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) common at that senior level? Yes, there are distinct pitfalls there. One big one is focusing too much on the past, just recounting old achievements. But isn’t your track record important? It is, but it’s not enough. At the executive level, they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) for the future. They need to see how your past experience equips you to tackle their [**future challenges and opportunities**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-will-my-employers-bad-reputation-affect-my-future-opportunities-thebiggamehuntertv/). So less, here’s what I did, more, here’s how my experience helps me solve your problem. Exactly. You need to shift the conversation from evaluation, them judging your past, to collaboration, talking strategically about their future and how you fit into it. That’s a significant [**mindset shift**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mindset-shifts-for-a-successful-salary-negotiation/). What’s another executive [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)? Just telling stories from the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) without pulling out the principles. What do you mean? Just saying, at my last company, we did this project, without explaining the thinking behind it, the leadership approach, the values that drove it. They need to see how you think and lead, not just what you did. Because they might think, okay, that worked there, but we’re different. Precisely. You need to show the transferable skills, the adaptable leadership philosophy, share the why and the how, not just the what. Focus on the principles behind the [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), okay? Anything else specific to [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/)? Yes, limiting the discussion just to the specific job function. That’s a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). You mean only talking about marketing if it’s a CMO role? Right. [Executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) need to think organization-wide. Your discussions, your examples, your plans, they should connect to the broader business strategy, the impact across departments. You see the big picture. You’re being hired as a leader for the whole company, essentially. Exactly. Now, here’s an interesting one. Asking, what does it take to succeed here at the executive level? Why is that a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)? Seems like a reasonable question. At junior levels, maybe. But for an executive, it can signal a lack of initiative. You’re expected to bring the vision to help define [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), not just ask for the formula. It makes it sound like you need your hand held, maybe. Less like a leader who sets direction. Precisely. You should be offering insights, maybe even advising them on the role based on your experience. That’s a key difference. Okay, one more for [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/). Blending individual contributions. Yes, similar to the general we versus I point, but maybe even more critical at the top. You must be able to clearly articulate your specific impact, your individual initiatives, even within team successes. Vague, we did this, answers aren’t strong enough. Gotta own your results clearly. Okay, let’s broaden back out. General [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) for anyone. Drawing a blank. Huge problem. Being stumped by common questions, strengths, weaknesses, why you want the job just signals poor preparation. [***10 Mistakes Older Job Hunters Make (Plus Bonuses)”***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gvS) You’ve gotta practice those. Absolutely, have thoughtful answers ready. What about not actually answering the question asked? Sounds basic, but it happens a lot. People get nervous, they pivot, they talk around the question. And the interviewer just gets frustrated. Right, or thinks you’re being evasive. Listen carefully, answer directly, then you can elaborate if needed. Good advice, and missing chances too, as you put it, toggle up achievements. Yeah, just stating facts versus highlighting impact. Don’t just say what you did, explain how well you did it, what the positive outcome was. Quantify it again, if possible. Sell yourself, but based on facts. Confidently, not arrogantly. And avoid cliches. Oh, the generic answer. Exactly, I’m a hard worker, I’m a team player. Interviewers hear these constantly, they tell them nothing unique about you. Use specific examples instead, stand out. Definitely. We also talked about oversharing, but there’s also just general TMI, too much detail, even on relevant stuff. All right, getting lost in the weeds. Keep it focused, concise. Hit the key points that matter for the role. And at the end, when they ask, do you have any questions? Saying no. Big [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), huge missed opportunity. It’s just a lack of interest, lack of engagement. It’s your chance to show you’re really thinking about it. And to learn more, always have thoughtful questions ready about the role, the team, the company challenges, the culture. Okay, and just generally, negativity or arrogance. We’ve touched on this, but worth repeating. Absolutely critical. Maintain a positive, enthusiastic attitude. No complaining, no cynicism. And check the ego at the door. [Confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), yes. Arrogance, no. Project positivity. What about just basic communication skills? Fundamentally important. Being unclear, rambling, using too much jargon, mumbling. It all undermines you. Practice speaking clearly and concisely. Be easy to understand, easy to listen to, and underpinning all of this. Preparation, preparation, preparation. [Research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) the company, understand the role, know how you fit. It sounds basic. But so many people still don’t do it thoroughly enough. It shows. Okay, final point then. [Confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). We said don’t be cocky, but you also can’t be. Too hesitant, underselling yourself is just as bad, appearing insecure, overly modest. It doesn’t inspire [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) in the interviewer. So find that balance. Confident but humble, know your worth, state it clearly. That’s the goal, self-aware competence. Wow, okay, that’s a lot to keep in mind. It really is amazing how many sort of small things can add up to make or break an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). It really is. But the good news is most of these are avoidable with awareness and preparation. Understanding these pitfalls gives you a massive advantage. Preparation, self-awareness, clear communication. Those are your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) tools. So for everyone listening as you prep for that next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), maybe reflect on this. Have any of these little [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) tripped you up in the past without you realizing it? Thinking about it now can help you approach the next one with much greater awareness and hopefully much greater [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Thanks for taking this deep dive with us. ***[5 Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 18, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/C32TzHzzwbw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes **Tags:** Common job interview mistakes --- ### [Why You Don't Even Get The Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-dont-get-the-interview/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** EP 769 There are reasons why you don't even get the interview. **Content:** # Why You Don’t Even Get The Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 769 There are reasons why you don’t even get the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). [***Stupid Resume Mistakes: Showing Markups***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2gb) ![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/sad-pexels-nathan-cowley-897817-300x200.jpg) I was [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) someone yesterday who is up for a position and in the course of the conversation, he reminded me of something in his circumstances that I thought would be helpful to you as well. What he reminded me of was paying attention to the language that is used in the job description or the questions that are asked by HR that signal certain things that may not be obvious. For example, in his case, he was told by HR that the next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) was with someone who is trying to 4X growth within the particular business unit. We were working on language to use that illustrated his experience with that. The language that we came up with was his background with “aggressive growth.” Instead of using the usual metrics of percentages, their language was to talk in terms of “times.” He was involved with almost 3X growth in the previous situation. Recognize that there are signals that are used in job descriptions or in the questions that HR asks that can be a signal to you of how to communicate with them and the kind of information they are looking for. Another thing that came up in a different conversation was concern that one firm had about someone where they perceived his background was more internally oriented, rather than externally oriented. He was savvy enough to pick up on that and said, “I just want to be clear about my background. I’ve had 5 years of internal experience and, of those 5, 3 of them were taking internal programs and bringing them to customers and converting them from internal systems to external systems, thus, of my 20 or 22 years of background, 17 of them really related to external customers.” Notice one going with us. You always want to be listening for cues that are coming in job descriptions or in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) that signal the real interest that the firm has because job descriptions are a list of qualifications that they look for. You are looking for what you can do for them. You are looking for ways that you can demonstrate that you as a professional, with your staff level individual or in the C suite, have the capacity to deliver what it is that they want. As you know, sometimes these job descriptions and sometimes their questioning is a little obtuse. [***The Big Career Management Lessons from The Shawshank Redemption***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3PP) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally. That can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, management, leadership, career transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Video Podcast: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [My courses are available on Skillshare](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/skillshare) [CareerFitter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/Career) offers a free test and if you want career recommendations, upgrade to the paid version We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. — **Categories:** Interviews, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** Why You Don't Even Get The Interview, Why you don't get the interview --- ### [Why the ATS Rejects You (And How to Fix It)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-the-ats-rejects-you-and-how-to-fix-it/) **Published:** June 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You are operating under a dangerous assumption: you think the automated software rejecting your applications is an advanced, discerning intelligence. **Content:** # Why the ATS Rejects You (And How to Fix It) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You are operating under a dangerous assumption: you think the automated software rejecting your [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) is an advanced, discerning intelligence. It isn’t. The [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) used by major enterprises is structurally dumb. It is a baseline database parser designed for a singular operational goal: mass elimination. It doesn’t look for excellence; it looks for compliance. It is built to find reasons to reject you. Today, we look at why the machine dumps you into the automated rejection pile, and the exact clinical steps you need to take to fix it. ### 1. The Formatting Trap: Why the Machine Blinded Itself The number one reason highly qualified professionals are rejected has nothing to do with their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) history. It has to do with formatting friction. When a machine cannot parse your layout, it assigns a null value to your experience metrics and automatically flags you as non-compliant. Consider what happened to a senior operations executive I advised. He had a pristine, Ivy League-caliber [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) designed by a boutique firm. It used a modern dual-column layout, custom shaded sidebars for his core competencies, and subtle horizontal lines to separate his tenure. To a human eye, it was art. To the corporate [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) parser, it was a catastrophic error. The software read the columns horizontally across the page rather than down each column. It stitched phrases from his 2024 logistics experience directly into unrelated metrics from his 2018 corporate finance role. The resulting database profile was a scrambled, incoherent mess of text. The machine calculated a zero-percent compatibility score and instantly generated a rejection email. He was disqualified from a role he was perfectly suited to run, simply because the machine blinded itself. - **The Rejection Trigger:** The underlying parsing engines of platforms like Workday and [Taleo](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) cannot interpret complex visual design. Text boxes, multi-column templates, graphic skill bars, headers, footers, and complex table matrices completely scramble the machine’s reading order. - **The Fix:** Force compliance by stripping your document down to a linear, single-column text asset. Use standard system fonts like Arial or Calibri. Use basic markdown or standard bullet points rather than custom symbols. If a human can see it but a baseline text scanner cannot extract it into clean plain text, the software rejects you out of hand. [***Cracking the ATS Code: Job Hunting in the Age of AI***](https://amzn.to/3QUs6jG) ### 2. The Vocabulary Gap: Why Synonym Logic Fails A common [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) among college-educated professionals is using creative or elevated vocabulary to describe their background. You might write “Spearheaded organizational alignment” when the job description explicitly asks for “Cross-functional project management.” The [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) does not possess human semantic intuition. It operates on rigid keyword string matching. I watched this play out with a brilliant product director who was rejected from fourteen enterprise tech firms in a row. He kept rewriting his summary to sound more sophisticated, using words like “orchestrated cross-platform synergy” and “cultivated agile internal [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) loops.” When we pulled up the back-end requirements for the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) he wanted, the corporate [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) had typed exactly three literal keyword strings into the search filter: “Product Launch,” “Agile,” and “Scrum.” Because his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) used elegant synonyms instead of the literal, blue-collar industry terms the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) typed into the box, the machine decided he didn’t possess the required skills. He wasn’t rejected because he lacked the capability; he was rejected because he refused to talk down to the level of the software. - **The Rejection Trigger:** If a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager inputs “Python, AWS, Agile” into the filter, and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) reads “engineered scalable cloud solutions using mainstream development methodologies,” the machine scores you at zero for those fields. It treats a missing exact keyword as a complete lack of competence and deletes you from the stack. - **The Fix:** Audit the target job description for its core nouns and hard technical requirements. Mirror those exact phrases verbatim in your document. If they capitalize an acronym, capitalize it. If they hyphenate a phrase, hyphenate it. Match the machine’s exact taxonomy. ### 3. The Proximity Error: Dead Keywords Keyword stuffing—dumping a block of uncontextualized words at the bottom of a page in white text—is dead. Modern parsing algorithms catch this trick instantly and automatically reject the profile as spam. The software has evolved to look for context. It evaluates structural relationships through a mechanism called keyword proximity. If a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) searches for a combination of “Revenue Optimization” and “SaaS,” the software doesn’t just check if both terms exist anywhere on the page. It measures the physical distance between those words within the text block. If “SaaS” is listed under a skills bank at the very bottom of page two, and “Revenue Optimization” is at the top of page one under your oldest job, the machine flags the relationship as weak. It assumes you haven’t used those assets together recently or in a high-stakes corporate environment. - **The Rejection Trigger:** Enterprise software now checks for **Keyword Proximity and Chronology**. It evaluates *where* a skill appears in your timeline and how closely it is tied to an actual metric. A keyword sitting in a generic list at the bottom of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) carries almost zero weight compared to a keyword embedded inside your most recent job history. If your relevant skills are buried or detached from your achievements, you fail the algorithm’s scoring threshold. - **The Fix:** Weave the specific technical requirements directly into your metric statements. Do not just say you know a tool; state the exact scale at which you used it. For example: *“Deployed AWS architecture to scale data ingestion velocity by 40%.”* This proves to the database that the asset was structurally integrated into your real-world delivery. ### The Bottom Line The [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is a barrier, not an advocate. It exists to reduce a stack of 500 profiles to 10 as cheaply and quickly as possible by looking for reasons to reject you. Remove the visual bloat from your documents, align your vocabulary with the machine’s exact requirements, and stop trying to impress a database with poetic prose. Give the machine the exact structured data it wants, clear the gatekeeper, and get your real expertise in front of a human being who can actually hire you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***A Free AI Cover Letter Generator from a Good Source***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-l2c) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Is Getting Hired Right on the Spot a Red Flag?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b9a)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System, Text **Tags:** Why the ATS Rejects You (And How to Fix It) --- ### [Free Professional Courses for Older Pros #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** There are free courses online for older professionals. **Content:** # Free Professional Courses for Older Pros #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/mVVaxdhzNE4) There are free courses online for older professionals. [***A Free AI Cover Letter Generator from a Good Source***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-l2c) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Is Getting Hired Right on the Spot a Red Flag?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b9a)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Over 50 **Tags:** Free Professional Courses for Older Pros --- ### [They Don't Respond to Your Application After Saying They'll Be in Touch #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-dont-respond-to-your-application-after-saying-theyll-be-in-touch-shorts/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # They Don’t Respond to Your Application After Saying They’ll Be in Touch #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/5I8ju75BZg4) What does it mean if an employer does not respond to your job [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) after saying they will be in touch about the shortlist? [***What Pace Are You Trying to Set For Your Job Search?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-195) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Feedback, Follow Up --- ### [Letting Them Know How Committed You Are](https://thebiggamehunter.us/letting-them-know-how-committed-you-are-jobsearchradio-com/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Content:** # Letting Them Know How Committed You Are **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) answers a question from a viewer about letting a firm know how committed he or she should be to them. Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And I received another question from from someone um looking for some advice. So let me just read the question to you before I go into the answer. That’s a good way to do it, right? So, after [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to a job with only one other applicant, as a non-citizen, how can I contact the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager to let him know how committed I would be? Okay. So, there are two dimensions to this. One is about the contact, and one is about being a non-citizen. So, I want to work with the assumption—I’m actually not work with the assumption, I’m going to do it on two layers. The first one is they know your you’re in the country on an H-1B visa. So you’ve already had an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and now you want to contact the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. I would suggest sending an email. So, uh you might call up the firm if you don’t have their email address, uh uh ask for the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager’s email address, um if they’re unwilling to give it to you, uh just and and you just basically tell reception, uh “I interviewed with so-and-so, I want to get their email address to send a thank-you note.” Real simple. And then the note basically says, “Thanks for making time to meet with me. Um I really enjoyed talking with you. I think the opportunity would be a terrific one for me.” And then you talk about how your qualifications. And then conclude in the last paragraph by saying, “In case there’s any doubt, I just want you to know how committed I would be to this role and to the organization. And I look forward to hearing from you about next steps in the process.” That simple. Now, let’s assume that you don’t have an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and you’ve just been to a job board or website where they clock the number of responses, so you know there’s only two people responding, you and one other person. Uh and that they don’t know that you have a visa, um or let’s assume that they do uh and you just haven’t gotten a response yet. So, you basically do the same thing. You get an email address for this person. Uh don’t know who the person is, call up reception, say, “I understand there’s a position open for such-and-such, who’s the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager for that?” They’ll try and send you to HR. Uh politely accept the transfer, and then from there, you know, duck the phone call, um and then add ask Call back uh a little while later, ask for the name of the CIO, call their office, ask for the name of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager who’s responsible uh for that position or that function. And then do much the same thing. You send them an email uh letting them know of your qualifications, indicating that you’d responded, and that you wanted to talk with them about the role um and about your background. Uh talk about how your experience fits, just like I explained in the in the previous one. Um and you can conclude by saying, “I haven’t heard from anyone about my candidacy. I just want to simply say that this role looks terrific, I have a background where I could deliver for you, and, you know, I would work very hard for you.” And, you know, you you write it in a way that demonstrates your commitment to the organization and to the position, just like in the last example I gave. Uh and try not to be too polite. You know, one of the things that’s culturally different about US society and US culture in business and others is if you’re too polite, it’s not looked at well. You can be cordial without being obsequious, slave-like, demonstrating extreme obedience. American culture doesn’t really respect that. So, again, two ways to respond to that. I hope you find this helpful. Uh I also have many other answers to questions on YouTube. Uh you do a search for “Ask The Big Game Hunter” and you’ll find many more. Also, I want to suggest coming over to my website, which is thebiggamehunter.us. There’s a lot of information about [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) that you can watch, listen to, or read uh that will help you find work more quickly. A few final things: First of all, if we’re not connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request at [linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter](https://www.google.com/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fthebiggamehunter). Uh if your current firm is trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at jeffaltman@thebiggamehunter.us, let me know who to contact and whether I should mention your name. I’d love to help your firm staff positions. Finally, when you get to the point where you’re going to be negotiating [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), you know, athletes, entertainers, you know, celebrity people all have agents doing negotiating. That’s not going to be the case with you. However, you can get preparation so you’re as well-rehearsed as possible to help you through the negotiation. Schedule time with me through my website, and I’d be [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to go through that with you and get you [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for your negotiation. This is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Have a great day. Take care. [***What Pace Are You Trying to Set For Your Job Search?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-195) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Follow Up **Tags:** committed to the job --- ### [The Two Magic Words to Use in an Interview & The Story Behind The Story](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-two-magic-words-to-use-in-an-interview-the-story-behind-the-story-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # The Two Magic Words to Use in an Interview & The Story Behind The Story **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** I discuss how to prepare for your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), how to improve your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), and the two magic words to use during your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). [***What’s Your Personal Brand?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mBm) Let’s talk today about preparing for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). This tactic can also be used for improving your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) dramatically. But, at a minimum. If you haven’t done this before and had just been sending out [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), it is the gold that will help you excel on your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Here’s what you did. You go back to your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and go bullet point by bullet point and ask yourself the question, “What’s the story behind this statement?” I made the statement that I did such and such. What’s the story, what events occurred? Put in you, talking to a friend or family member about what it is that she did and how you went about doing it as well as what you stepped into at the time. Prepare yourself with the story behind those facts. This is an approach that works extremely well and [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and will help differentiate you from the competition in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). After all, if you just lay out a [resume as if it were job description](https://thebiggamehunter.us/an-ai-prompt-for-tuning-your-resume-to-a-job-description-shorts/) (I do this. I do that. I am part of a team that does this or that.), [Your resume becomes boring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/craft-a-career-highlights-reel-not-a-boring-resume/). But if you put some life into it by giving some texture to it, by contextualizing what you did and giving a bigger impact at your organization, it has enormous results and you will get many more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). [When you tell the stories behind the story](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-two-magic-words-to-use-in-an-interview-the-story-behind-the-story/) on your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you will stand out from the competition. I also want to teach you the 2 magic words to use on your [interviews to really differentiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-best-little-job-interview-differentiator-what-makes-you-different/) yourself. I’m sure you’ll be asked about what you did and how you [went about doing it](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-i-know-a-zoom-interview-went-well-or-not-jobsearchtv-com/) on your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). You’re the 2 magic words to use on your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/): “For example.” Then you talk about what you stepped into. Those 2 words, for example, go a long way to allowing people to see you for what you did and what you accomplish at your previous organization. It allows you to speak freely about what you’ve accomplished and doing it in the way that audiences love– stories. People love stories. [***What Pace Are You Trying to Set For Your Job Search?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-195) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** interview, interview advice, interview tips, Interviews, job interview tips --- ### [Finding Work with Non-Profits](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-work-with-non-profits/) **Published:** June 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I offer a simple way to find work with a non-profit when you have no experience in the industry but have the desire to work for one. **Content:** # Finding Work with Non-Profits **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** I [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a simple way to find work with a non-profit when you have no experience in the industry but have the desire to work for one. [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) This is a simple video to talk to those of you who are trying to make a switch to nonprofit work because you want to do meaningful things with your life than just simply shuffle paper and deal with the financial transactions, for example. You want to do work that you believe has meaning. Some of your skills are going to be transferable and sometimes you can get that job that you want by emphasizing the transferable skills to that sector. But I![interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/interview-PRXG3HS-300x184.jpg) want to remind you that nonprofit [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) often pays less than private sector so you may need to accommodate the differences financially. You may need to take a lesser [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). However, some organizations really want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people who have experience in the nonprofit area. How do you get that experience? Answer. Volunteering. It’s one of the few times I I suggest volunteering as a way to gain experience. Now for college students, that and interning can be an effective route toward finding work. But for adults and (and I use that with air [quotes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/)), you are going to need to do some after-hours work to get the attention of some of these organizations. Putting in effort sometimes on phone lines, taking calls. So, for example, you’re working a hotline dealing with people, serving meals for that kind of organization. Volunteering in some way shape or form to that firm, that organization, to get the attention of people so that they will want to come back to you at a later point to talk with you about full-time work. Will this work all the time? Absolutely not. Nothing works all the time. However (#1), you will get a flavor for what it’s like in that organization and thus determine whether is something you really want to do or whether it was just the whim and the reality is different than your fantasy. (#2) Frankly, it’s a passion of yours period fulfill the passion. It can affect your life in many different ways by doing this volunteering and all of them are good. [***Telling Stories, Not Tall Tales***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aK2) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Job Search Tips, Non-Profit, Text **Tags:** finding a job with a non-profit, Finding Work with Non-Profits, non-proofit rganizations --- ### [6 Second Job Search Tips: Resumes #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A Six second job search tips about resume objectives **Content:** # 6-Second Job Search Tips: Resume Objectives #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A Six second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tips about [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). [***Free AI Cover Letter Generator from a Good Source***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-l2c) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Is Getting Hired Right on the Spot a Red Flag?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b9a)*** **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Resume Objectives --- ### [6 Second Job Search Tips: Jobs #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-jobs/) **Published:** June 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six-second video about the true nature of jobs. **Content:** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/S9Izb_1vi-0) A six-second video about the true nature of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Jobs --- ### [The Counter-Signal: Build a LinkedIn Monopoly](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-counter-signal-build-a-linkedin-monopoly/) **Published:** June 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you are an information worker or laptop professional aggressively hunting for a role in today’s oversupplied market, your biggest enemy isn’t the economy **Content:** # The Counter-Signal: Build a LinkedIn Monopoly **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are an information worker or laptop professional aggressively hunting for a role in today’s oversupplied market, your biggest enemy isn’t the economy — it is your own visibility strategy. When desperation peaks, most professionals default to a defensive, low-leverage posture: they toggle the “Open to Work” banner, publish an emotionally charged essay about their sudden exit, and broadcast generic praise for their industry. This conventional approach backfires because it signals dependency. It frames you as a petitioner pleading for an entry point in a crowded room. In a hyper-saturated ecosystem, an average skill set marketed through standard professional compliance is completely invisible. To break the commodity [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), you must weaponize The Counter-Signal, an aggressive, clinical content engine that shifts your public perception from an unemployed job seeker to an active, uncopiable and unique corporate asset. Content is not an exercise in vanity metrics, personal vulnerability, or chasing “influencer” status. For a modern laptop professional, content is a functional, live [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that establishes your [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). It doesn’t tell people you can execute; it strips back the curtain to reveal your raw diagnostic framework in real time. Here is how to architect a contrarian [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) engine to secure a premium role immediately, while systematically embedding long-term [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) into [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). ## Part 1: The Short-Term Sprint (Landing the Immediate Role) When you are actively on the market, your content should not seek general agreement; it must provoke strategic curiosity. Conventional wisdom tells you to share “safe,” universally accepted industry insights. That guarantees you blend into the background noise. ## 1. The Contrarian Friction Audit Instead of echoing industry consensus, identify a widely accepted “best practice” in your sector that you know is fundamentally flawed, inefficient, or leaking margin. - The Tactic: Write a punchy, technical autopsy of this structural failure. Detail the precise historical friction it creates, name the exact capital or operational drag it inflicts on an enterprise, and lay out your contrarian, clinical solution. - The Reality: When a line executive or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager scrolls past an article that actively dismantles an active operational headache they are facing on their shop floor, they stop. You aren’t pitching your past biography; you are diagnosing a live business vulnerability before you ever say hello. ## 2. Open-Sourcing the Proprietary Tool Most job hunters hide their methodologies behind the equivalent of a paywall or save them for the second round of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). They treat their intellectual property like a state secret. - The Tactic: Do the exact opposite. Take your most valuable operational asset, whether it is a complex SQL script architecture, a data migration checklist, or an algorithmic resource-allocation framework, and give it away natively in the feed. - The Execution: Strip away all external links and fluff. Publish the raw logic and the functional template directly on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Do not ask for emails; do not redirect to a personal blog. When you reduce the friction of consuming your highest-value output to zero, you turn your profile into a high-leverage product page. You force the market to evaluate you on proof, not promises. ## Part 2: The Long-Term Engine (Insulating Your Career) The most catastrophic error information workers make is going completely silent the moment they sign an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) letter. They retreat into corporate anonymity again, assuming their current [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) is a permanent shield. Personalized [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) through continuous content is a compounding macro asset. If you only build your well when you are thirsty, you will choke on dust. You must maintain the signal when you do not need an exit path so that when market shifts occur, the market naturally defaults to you. ## 1. The Structural Trend Registrar Once you are securely embedded inside an organization, pivot your content engine away from short-term troubleshooting and toward tracking macroeconomic tectonic shifts within your domain. Document the friction between legacy tool stacks and emerging infrastructure, or analyze how regulatory shifts alter unit economics in your space. - The Positioning: By positioning yourself as a registrar of structural shifts, you bypass traditional corporate gatekeepers. Competitors, institutional investors, and Tier-1 [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) teams do not track applicants; they track domain experts who can articulate where the market is going next. ## 2. The Abstract Project Log Treat your daily corporate execution as an ongoing, abstract [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) engine. Every time you optimize an enterprise workflow, untangle a cross-functional database conflict, or stabilize a declining team velocity, log the underlying engineering principles. - The Directive: Maintain absolute discretion. Never disclose proprietary internal data, trademarked metrics, or corporate politics. Focus entirely on the generalized methodology. By maintaining this public archive over a multi-year horizon, you build an uncopiable signature of execution. When you are ready to pivot [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you will never have to submit a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a machine again; your active profile serves as your permanent, verified track record. ## The Bottom Line An oversupplied market shows no mercy to general compliance — that is being mediocre and ordinary. If you are an information worker competing for premium remote roles, individual contributor roles, or executive leadership positions, you cannot afford to hide behind a generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or an “Open to Work” badge. Stop waiting for an [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) to validate your intelligence. Take absolute ownership of your professional narrative. Turn your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) feed into an uncopiable execution layer. Document the systemic friction you see, broadcast your anomaly stack, and deliver uncompromised value to your target market. Show the room exactly how you engineer results, and let your competence pull the right opportunities straight to your inbox. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Branding, Text --- ### [No BS Career Advice: June 21 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: June 21 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![The fastest way to pass an interview Gemini_Generated_Image_6ucbdk6ucbdk6ucb](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/The-fastest-way-to-pass-an-interview-Gemini_Generated_Image_6ucbdk6ucbdk6ucb-1024x559.png) My practice has gotten very busy. So many need what I know and how I guide people during a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition. I can’t share stories because it betrays confidentiality but I can say I have been supporting people with diverse experiences and backgrounds. If you want my help, schedule a session with me at[ JobSearch.Community.](http://JobSearch.Community) ## The Counter-Signal: Build a LinkedIn Monopoly If you are an information worker or laptop professional aggressively hunting for a role in today’s oversupplied market, your biggest enemy isn’t the economy—it is your own visibility strategy. When desperation peaks, most professionals default to a defensive, low-leverage posture: they toggle the “Open to Work” banner, publish an emotionally charged essay about their sudden exit, and broadcast generic praise for their industry. This conventional approach backfires because it signals dependency. It frames you as a petitioner pleading for an entry point in a crowded room. In a hyper-saturated ecosystem, an average skill set marketed through standard professional compliance is completely invisible. To break the commodity [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), you must weaponize **The Counter-Signal**, an aggressive, clinical content engine that shifts your public perception from an unemployed job seeker to an active, uncopiable and unique corporate asset. **Content is not an exercise in vanity metrics, personal vulnerability, or chasing “influencer” status.** For a modern laptop professional, content is a functional, live [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that establishes your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**. It doesn’t tell people you can execute; it strips back the curtain to reveal your raw diagnostic framework in real time. Here is how to architect a contrarian [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) engine to secure a premium role immediately, while systematically embedding long-term [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) into [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). ### Part 1: The Short-Term Sprint (Landing the Immediate Role) When you are actively on the market, your content should not seek general agreement; it must provoke strategic curiosity. Conventional wisdom tells you to share “safe,” universally accepted industry insights. That guarantees you blend into the background noise. ### 1. The Contrarian Friction Audit Instead of echoing industry consensus, identify a widely accepted “best practice” in your sector that you know is fundamentally flawed, inefficient, or leaking margin. - **The Tactic:** Write a punchy, technical autopsy of this structural failure. Detail the precise historical friction it creates, name the exact capital or operational drag it inflicts on an enterprise, and lay out your contrarian, clinical solution. - **The Reality:** When a line executive or [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager scrolls past an article that actively dismantles an active operational headache they are facing on their shop floor, they stop. You aren’t pitching your past biography; you are diagnosing a live business vulnerability before you ever say hello. ### 2. Open-Sourcing the Proprietary Tool Most job hunters hide their methodologies behind the equivalent of a paywall or save them for the second round of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). They treat their intellectual property like a state secret. - **The Tactic:** Do the exact opposite. Take your most valuable operational asset, whether it is a complex SQL script architecture, a data migration checklist, or an algorithmic resource-allocation framework, and give it away natively in the feed. - **The Execution:** Strip away all external links and fluff. Publish the raw logic and the functional template directly on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Do not ask for emails; do not redirect to a personal blog. When you reduce the friction of consuming your highest-value output to zero, you turn your profile into a high-leverage product page. You force the market to evaluate you on proof, not promises. ### Part 2: The Long-Term Engine (Insulating Your Career) The most catastrophic error information workers make is going completely silent the moment they sign an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) letter. They retreat into corporate anonymity again, assuming their current [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) is a permanent shield. Personalized [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) through continuous content is a compounding macro asset. If you only build your well when you are thirsty, you will choke on dust. You must maintain the signal when you do not need an exit path so that when market shifts occur, the market naturally defaults to you. ### 1. The Structural Trend Registrar Once you are securely embedded inside an organization, pivot your content engine away from short-term troubleshooting and toward tracking macroeconomic tectonic shifts within your domain. Document the friction between legacy tool stacks and emerging infrastructure, or analyze how regulatory shifts alter unit economics in your space. - **The Positioning:** By positioning yourself as a registrar of structural shifts, you bypass traditional corporate gatekeepers. Competitors, institutional investors, and Tier-1 [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) teams do not track applicants; they track domain experts who can articulate where the market is going next. ### 2. The Abstract Project Log Treat your daily corporate execution as an ongoing, abstract [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) engine. Every time you optimize an enterprise workflow, untangle a cross-functional database conflict, or stabilize a declining team velocity, log the underlying engineering principles. - **The Directive:** Maintain absolute discretion. Never disclose proprietary internal data, trademarked metrics, or corporate politics. Focus entirely on the generalized methodology. By maintaining this public archive over a multi-year horizon, you build an uncopiable signature of execution. When you are ready to pivot [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you will never have to submit a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a machine again; your active profile serves as your permanent, verified track record. ### The Bottom Line An oversupplied market shows no mercy to general compliance–that is being mediocre and ordinary. If you are an information worker competing for premium remote roles, individual contributor roles, or executive leadership positions, you cannot afford to hide behind a generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or an “Open to Work” badge. Stop waiting for an [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) to validate your intelligence. Take absolute ownership of your professional narrative. Turn your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) feed into an uncopiable execution layer. Document the systemic friction you see, broadcast your anomaly stack, and deliver uncompromised value to your target market. Show the room exactly how you engineer results, and let your competence pull the right opportunities straight to your inbox. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 These are among some of the blog posts I released in the last week: **[Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: When you try to make your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) appeal to every single open vacancy, it ends up appealing to absolutely no one. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) drops a quick, No BS truth check on the high cost of generic positioning and why specialized [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) metrics always win. Link: **How to [Negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Through a [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/)** Excerpt: Surrendering your compensation expectations to an intermediary can stall your financial growth before you even speak with the decision-maker. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details a precise psychological blueprint to control the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) conversation through third-party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) without breaking rapport. Link: **What To Tell The Agency [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) to Work for You** Excerpt: Agency headhunters work for the client paying the fee, not the candidate hunting for a desk. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers the explicit verbal script and boundary adjustments you must deploy to reverse this dynamic and make third-party [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) aggressively market your talent. Link: **High Leverage [Careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) 2026: How to Capitalize on Labor Shortages** Excerpt: Persistent structural talent deficits across premium industries have created massive negotiation leverage for top-tier professionals. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) synthesizes immediate labor data to map out how to target high-friction industries and demand maximum compensation packages. Link: **What Leaders Do #shorts** Excerpt: True leadership isn’t defined by administrative oversight or executive titles; it is defined by a willingness to manage friction and shield teams from corporate politics. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines a rapid posture check on what genuine authority looks like in high-stress environments. Link: **[Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) #shorts Excerpt:** Relying on the illusion of stability within traditional [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) models keeps [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) completely defensive. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) drops a rapid six-second diagnostic check on the true, changing nature of modern corporate roles and why you must continuous to treat yourself like an independent business entity. **Link:** **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): June 14 2026** **Excerpt:** True structural leverage in your professional life is never built through simple compliance or standard multi-tasking updates. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) unpacks a critical real-world client advisory session detailing the raw psychological adjustments and aggressive market re-positioning rules required to overcome immediate [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) rejection. **Link:** **Writing [Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and [Cover Letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) with [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) #shorts** **Excerpt:** Utilizing generic prompts to generate artificial candidate marketing assets results in flat, robotic text that automated scrapers and human screeners immediately reject. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines a quick, practical framework to build customized semantic prompts that protect your unique baseline voice. **Link:** **What Do All Successful Athletes and Pros Have in Common?** **Excerpt:** Top-tier operators across competitive arenas don’t build their dominance through isolated individual efforts—they submit their execution to external accountability. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains why elite professionals across sports and corporate leadership depend on rigorous coaching to isolate blind spots. **Link:** **How to Use 15-Minute Micro-Sprints to Land Your Next Role** **Excerpt:** Allowing your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) process to stretch into exhausting, multi-hour administrative sessions leads to fast tactical [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/). 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Link: --- I have many books and guides to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) available on Amazon. Search for mine by my name, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). This is the last week I will be featuring “[**Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide to Your First Post-Graduation Job Search**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWKR72KK)**” for $0.99. Order it for the student in your life before the price goes up next weekend.** --- People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice, Text **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: June 21 2026 --- ### [Do I Have to Have Both a CV and a LinkedIn Profile #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-i-have-to-have-both-a-cv-and-a-linkedin-profile-shorts/) **Published:** June 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Do I Have to Have Both a CV and a LinkedIn Profile #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/dhfVt0osBg0) Is it necessary to have both a CV and a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile? ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, LinkedIn, No BS Resume Advice --- ### [If You Look Like Everyone Else](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-look-like-everyone-else-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** What do you think happens if you look like everyone else? **Content:** # If You Look Like Everyone Else **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/6WIBnXFYXFY) What do you think happens if you look like everyone else? 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My guest, Christine Campbell and I, discuss things people do wrong and how to respond to behavioral [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions. ## [***Can Negotiating Salary Backfire?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hfM) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) So my guest today is Christine Campbell. Christine is a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) coach with an MA in [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) development and experience working with [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) counseling clients course many fields and industries, most of whom work in Silicon Valley, up to and including a director level. Her expertise is [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) professionals to create powerful stories to address behavioral [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions so that she could walk into [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) feeling [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). Christine, welcome. Thank you for making time today. Christine Campbell This is so great. Thank you so much for having me, Jeff. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) My pleasure, folks, we’re gonna have fun today. I know this already. So you started in [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) counseling, since transition and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), what made you segue into job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Christine Campbell I feel like that’s the biggest ROI. Besides the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), where just an hour with a good coach can take a job seeker to the next level, you know, you can go from horrible to bad from bad to Okay, from okay to good. And from good to great. And even from gray to excellent sometimes with just a couple of tweaks. And so I feel like that’s, that’s time well spent for me. And I also, I also enjoyed doing [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), just tricks and strategies, because I’m bossy, and I like to tell people what to do, rather than you know, your traditional coach, just as mostly a good listener and asking questions and pulling things out of people. So this suits my personality. And if you do the same thing over and over and over again, right, you get good at it. And so I really, I really enjoy that I have I, I outsource [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) writing and assessments. And you know, the deeper side of [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) counseling, when somebody comes to me says, Gosh, I really want to get out of my field. I’m like, let me point you to Jeff. Right, let me, right? So you know, that’s the nice thing is that we get to specialize and find with all [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), right, get on the right bus and then find the right seat. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) So true. And you talked about the typical coach, she basically, I don’t wanna say the passive, but the coach [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) basically says, you have all the answers. And in [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). That’s not true. Christine Campbell But people think it’s all common sense. But I think people often under some people underestimate the amount of common sense that they have. They’re also not the most coachable. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) I find they come to me because they want answers to their questions. They want a model to work with, that’s going to get them the results that they want. And they’re figuring it out on their own. They’re up against roadblocks, and they’re hitting their head against the wall. And they’re like a bird going help me. Help me. Christine Campbell Well, that’s for me, I find I I make have the biggest impact, I am most helpful for people who either have bombed [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and who are just getting desperate, or somebody who keeps coming in second or third, but never first. Or of course, somebody who has a high stakes [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) coming up with a fan or you know, a job that they really, really want. So those are the three types of people who are the most open to input and easiest to work with and who will make the biggest improvement in their in their ability to integrate well. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) So let’s dive in. Okay, so what do you find people do? Christine Campbell What do people do wrong? People everything [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) I know everything. Christine Campbell Oh, no, no, no, I mean, I think the first thing is right, the assumption that just because you’re a good conversationalist, and you know how to have good conversations that it makes you automatically good [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) we there’s an art to it. And obviously preparation you know, deep dive into [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) don’t just go to the website of the company, dig deeper if you have ability to get into Dun and Bradstreet find out about the finances and their competitors and just really really become an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) in the company you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) The trick question here? Yeah. Why? Why? Christine Campbell Okay, well so you want to build rapport right? A you want it you want to a it makes you feel better, it makes you feel confident when you feel [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/), not just about your own stuff about them. You come across as intelligent also, you know, as you want to show with somebody who prepares and is knowledgeable and who did the work and, and to demonstrate I care about this [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) enough that I spent a couple of hours being [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) and so they also they can ask better questions, right? You know, I’ve heard of people asking so what exactly do you do here? Like, what am I Waste of time, right? So that’s short. Right? Right. So that’s the first one not being [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). And again, I focus mostly on behavioral questions, telling stories that don’t have a positive result. Right? You know, you want to make sure that when you tell a story that demonstrates you either increased revenue for the company, you decreased expenses, you created efficiencies and save time, or creative harmony, sometimes stories can have more than one component in them. If your story doesn’t have one of those four end results. It’s not impressive, right? [***Should I Confirm an Interview?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hfw) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Once you repeat them again, okay? Christine Campbell Okay. So, the first one is, have you made money for the company? Ideally, always, like with a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you want to throw some numbers in there increased revenue in the first year by 10%, or by 10 million, the more quantity, the more you can quantify it, the more powerful it’s going to be. Were you able to save the money, you know, reduced expenses in this department by 10%? In the first three months, right, created efficiencies, cut the time down for this process by from from a month to a week? That’s really impressive. And the fourth one, create harmony, can you tell a story where there was a really, really difficult manager who was hated by everybody, and and you were able to figure out why they are that way. Get along with them, and then coach your co workers and how to interact with person with a person so that projects runs more smoothly. All of those things are right, impressive. So you want to impress the interviewer with a good result. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Interesting. So we have the not be ready with stories not having done researching. First, we’re gonna do a deeper dive into stories in a minute. I want to get a couple more because I do a lot of [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) as well. I like to hear what other people do. It’s awful to me as well. Absolutely. So what are the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that people said, Christine Campbell they forget to mention the hardship, I find that that is, you know, in your, in your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Mr. David Watt, what what you talked about, you know, star and sore and par, etc, etc. I find that in order to be truly memorable, and really impress people by behavior, [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) of you questions are all aimed at finding out your soft skills. And a huge, soft skill that I want to have if I’m [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) an employee is are they good problem solver? How do they deal with adversity? How do they, how much grit do they have? What’s their influence management? So a lot of people when they [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) gloss over the difficulties and they say, Well, this was the situation. And then I did this and this and this and this and as a result, blah, and it’s boring, right? And it’s not impressive. You don’t really get the juicy, soft skills out of that. And when I coached my clients, I said, please bring me the suffering. Tell me the hardship. Tell me about all the problems you had to overcome. Your budget was slashed. Your coworker had to go on medical leave, you had a really you somebody was sabotaging you. I had one candidate that I coached and he went on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and he called me the next day. He said, Well, Christine, he said it was incredible. The [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) was kind of rolling along. And the interviewer was just kind of leaning back and asking questions. And then when they asked me behavior [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) question, and I said oh, and the problems we encounter, he said, the interviewer physically leaned forward, and was wrapped with attention, because suddenly, people love drama. And that’s what will make you stand out from the other candidates. And then you can show your super skilled superhero skills and then produce the great result. But if you gloss over the hardship, you’re doing yourself a disservice. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) There’s a an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) I did. Last year, I believe it’s, it’s called, there are stories. And then there are stories. And he writes for TV. So if you think about the model, for TV, there’s always some crisis that occurs. And the world is about to be destroyed. Like I used to know joke with friends of mine, that most movie plots were developed by software, because they’re so predictable. Everyone’s having a good time. And suddenly the world is going to end and our heroes get into the spaceship fly. And of course, there’s a problem on the ship at some point. And the female scientist and the male goon something they’re going to be attracted to one another. It used to be the other way around. It used to be the male sciences. But no matter these days, just the female scientist and the male gewoon are going to be attracted to one another, and they’re going to persevere and save the class, Christine Campbell almost dying in the process at least once. And at [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) the end, it’s like a James Bond movie where he and the girl would apparently wind up in the rest. Right, right. So we want to have stories that really touched the emotional heartstrings of people. Yeah, wherever we can really make a difference. Christine Campbell Yeah, you want the person say, Wow, that sounds really, really hard. And then and then when they listen to how you solved it, they they want you want to impress them with how you overcame hardship. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) It’s like every story we read to kids. It’s a fairy story, Once Upon a Time assigned to a group. And in this group, there were 18 people, four of whom were competent. You took over from a manager who left suddenly, that project was three months late, and you had to get it delivered on time in the next 45 days. [***Leadership During Times of Extreme Fear***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hfe) Christine Campbell Exactly. We want to hear that your risk, they want to hear that you’re resourceful. And and you know, because I usually behavior [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions, ideally come towards the end, after which it’s already been established that you’re, you know, you’ve answered the technical question. And you’ve established that you’re smart and competent, and know your stuff. And the behavioral [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), stories, in addition to just soft skills, also then allow you to talk about what tactics you’ve used, right? What, what, what, and then sometimes saying, Oh, my God, I had no idea what to do. And then I did some [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). And I figured I found this great program here that bla bla bla bla bla bla bla, but yeah, it shows your thinking and and how how resourceful you are. And that’s what you wanted any employee no matter what the level, right. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) And one of the funding, I had to write an article about this today, it’ll be out tomorrow, about dealing with fear as a leader. Because normally, when you’re stepping into situations like that there’s some version of the crisis. That’s really what we’re talking about in terms of obstacles that take place, there’s a crisis that causes everyone to be [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) this thing is blown. And that’s the way you tell the story is to illustrate the crisis that took place. And then from there, how you were the hero who wrote in on the horse? Family 60 minutes later, the camera shut up. She seems like everything’s okay. Right? Everything Christine Campbell and or not? Or was it or one can say, Well, okay, I’ve been holding this together. And I’m so glad the calorie has arrived. Now let’s together take it to the end, right. Also, another [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that people made either. Either they talk about we as a team, we as a team, we as a team, and I cannot tell as the listener, what was your part or II. So you want to make sure that when you tell your stories, you say, you know, my team and this this, and this is what I did. And this is what we did to have have both to make sure that that it’s understood that you work with others, as well as their Lone Ranger’s don’t do too well in corporations. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Not at certain levels. They know it’s the way people ascend most of the time as being Lone Ranger’s. But they get to a level, it’s really about how you inspire teams to do great work. Christine Campbell Well, but even software engineers, they have regular meetings where they have to figure out together, you know, who’s working on what, and what are you doing, and where you’re stuck? And what do we got to do? Even even even in those [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/)? You’re, you know, no, no, no person has an island, right? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) So let’s talk, use an example of stories and how you do a framework for folks in telling the story. So I’m going to toss the baton to you, you’re in charge of telling people how to construct the stories. Christine Campbell Yes, and, and I was just listening to your, the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) you did with David Watts about and you and you actually parsed out that read, there’s the STAR method method, there’s the SOAR method, and that the there’s the PSR or the PA r method, and I found that interesting, I tend to go for the sore or the par methods only and I’ll spell those out. But you You did a great job saying you know, if you’re at this level, you use this etc, etc. So the STAR method stands for a situation, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tactic or situation task is has to be situation or task Action Result. It’s geared towards staff people primarily. Yeah, Amazon likes this framework as the exception where they wanted to associate with everything. Christine Campbell Google Google as well I have I have candidates who were told by Google before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), please be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to to to tell your stories using the star format. I prefer like so what I was talking about earlier about the hardship etc, etc. So you know, Mostly it’s the sore methods, the suit the situation, obstacles, action and result. And then we also and then the shorter version of that is part the problem, or PSR. problem, solution result. I mean, they’re all similar. But you know, as we, as we talked about a couple of minutes ago, you really don’t want to gloss over the obstacle. Part, because you’re missing something juicy. Juicy, right in this [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) context, so they understand what it was that you really did and the hardships that you face. [***When You’ve Been Made Redundant, Fired, Laid Off, RIF’d***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ha1) Christine Campbell Yeah. So So when somebody calls me and says, Oh, my God, I need help. I’ve been bombing [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), what I do is on the phone first, you know, that during the free consultation, I explained all of this to them, I said, Please prepare five stories. And so here’s the other kicker, as you’re preparing your stories, you start, you start with your biggest successes. So I have them think about the five biggest [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) successes they found, and it doesn’t have to be recent, it can be 10 years ago, or 15 years ago, but tell me about a huge [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). And then let’s roll it backwards. Because there were there was hardship. And there were obstacles and problems in there. And then you parse that out. And then afterwards, you you you’re on your, you know, online, you know, on a piece of paper or in a computer, you then write what was the situation? What was were the obstacles? What did you and your team do? And what was that result? You know, that make money, save money, create efficiencies, and increase and create harmony? And then afterwards, and then I asked them, What soft skills are you demonstrating here? And what behavioral questions could this story be answering right? Is this a story about? Tell me about a time you had a difficult coworker? Difficult manager a difficult where there was a breakdown in a project where you made a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)? Or my favorite? You know, I do love in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with somebody asks, tell me about your biggest [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)? Because that right, that shows you know that get that? It’s a great question, because it allows the person to talk about their biggest triumph and they get to light up. And and do you want to hear that somebody had an outstanding [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/)? So then, then, so I have my clients write out a couple of stories like that, and then an RS zoom session. I said, Okay, I’ll throw a question at them, and then have them tell me their story. And then I said, Okay, perfect. So what what really worked really well was this, this and this, but let’s tweak this, let’s, let’s I want give me more hardship, or Hello, let’s quantify the results. And then afterwards, after our session, we do that with a couple of questions. And then they go home, and then they have enough information that they can continue creating more stories and fine tuning the stories and then we meet again, and we’ll keep practicing until either they have it in their body, or they have an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) in it, and they land the job often after just a session or two, I get an email saying I got the job. And you know, that’s, that’s what makes our heart sing. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) You betcha. And I want to couple this part with some of the work that I do, which is I believe that most job descriptions are 80% accurate, because no one ever takes the time to update. So with that, when you arrive at an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), whether in person or zoom, or however, I believe that you start off the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) by saying, hey, thanks so much for making time to meet with me. You know, I recall the position description, but I want to get your take on the role. Could you tell me about the job as you see it and what I could do to help. And thus you hear about what their [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are about the job at the beginning of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? Yes, so everything is about connecting the dots with what they’re looking for. And that includes your stories, which you can have [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). But folks, you got to be able to think on your feet, especially those of you who are aspiring to leadership or who are in leadership. So in Christine’s approach, which I use as well, by the way, you know, the idea is, once you have what they’re looking for, now you’re going to [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) the story to connect the dots for them. And the less you make them work to figure out how you’ve done what they need you to do, the more likely you are to get hired. Christine Campbell Absolutely. And what is so awesome about zoom [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) is you can tape a cheat sheet with a heading of your stories right next to the computer screen so that you don’t you’ll have deer in the headlight moments. So if somebody asks you a difficult question, you can just look to the right and go. I can tell this story now. So it makes it so much easier than having to do that live in the moment across the table. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) You betcha I tell people to this is one of the Few times I tell people by sticky notes, because if I put my finger over the camera, you can see my finger. But if I put it to the right where you tell people put the sticky note, or to the left, you can see that my fingers there. And thus, that’s where the sticky notes go. So you don’t have to break [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/) to look down or to the side, you just basically are switching over slightly, and getting the note in front of you to be able to see what your answer should be. Or you can Christine Campbell even like right now I have the zoom doesn’t fill my screen, it just it Fields up 1/3 In the middle, you can even have a document on both sides squeeze together and have a typed out. And then you can even get the more information on there. And it’s nice and clean and tidy. So So I love zoom [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), because that way you can it just makes it easier to because people are you know, you’re nervous. And sometimes our brains go blank. [***Video Interview Myths***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hfj) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) If you’re dealing with one of those old fashioned firms that wants to do it by phone, even better, it’s [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of all, because they can’t see you. That, however is your voice is your sales tool. And thus, your voice can sound flat and monotone. It has to be passionate and engaged and excited. And you have to sound like an actor on the stage on screen. Because you’re selling your lines. Absolutely. Try to be personally persuasive, and communicating with people. Christine Campbell So don’t over caffeinate, right, just you know, make sure you’re grounded. Make sure you’re super nervous. You walk around the block before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) so that you can come to center and just kind of, you know, calm down. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) I’ll tell people to go to the gym beforehand. Get on a treadmill or elliptical, get a run in do something that gets your heart rate going but also doesn’t give you the caffeinated edge before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Christine Campbell Yeah, can I answer? Go back to your question, what are some things people do wrong? Worse, right? So, so you and I are both strong personalities, we are not passive people. So for us, it’s natural that if somebody were to if we were to if somebody were to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) us for a job, we wouldn’t just passively sit there and answer the questions, right? Like what you said earlier that, you know, the first question you ask us, tell me about the job descript? You know, how do you see the job, I always if you know, you have to use your your also your intuition. Some some interviewers want to be in charge, and they only have 20 minutes, and they have the 20 questions to get through. So it’s so so in that case, you do have to just comply and just go with it. But if it’s a little bit more, easygoing, make it a conversation, make it a two way street, because it is a two way street, right. And you want to get as much information out of them as they want to, as they want to get out of you. And so whenever I get asked a question as a job seeker that usually prompts me to then ask a question back, you know, I think the most number one most important question people need to ask is, what are the biggest challenge for your department right now? What are the biggest challenges? Ideally, you already know about the biggest challenges of the company? Because if it’s a larger company, then you right? We know what that Tesla’s biggest, as far right now, but it’s a smaller company that’s harder. So I just a couple of days ago, in my newsfeed, I found a great article 20 Great job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions to ask the interviewer. And I thought that was just brilliant. We don’t spend enough time preparing for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and thinking about what questions we can ask them. So that took some of the, you know, having to brainstorm out of it. But make sure you ask don’t wait until the very end to ask questions. See if you can if and get permission from the interviewer to make it turn into dialogue and get your questions in as you’re talking about a particular subject because it’s a it’s much more natural. And be it shows how engaged and interested you are. ***[Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response to Your Application](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lkC)*** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) I think when most people [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), there’s a distinct power differential that exists where they have all the information. And you are the supplicant. Right? And I know asking my opening question levels, the playing field, because suddenly you have information that you’d normally get in a typical [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) at the end where they go, so do you have any questions for us? And of course, you’re going to ask about the job then when it’s too late to do anything with that information anyway. Yeah, so I think my approach to this is designed to level the playing field and to turn it into a conversation instead of like the salesperson walking in with their I’m gonna make this like Willy Loman Death of a Salesman. So let me open up my briefcase and sell you everything I’ve gotten there. No, okay. Loss. Instead, you’re doing what good salespeople do these phase. And that is tell me about what you need or what you’re looking for. Let’s do requirements gathering. So this way you can tell your answers and talk about what you’ve done that matters to them, and not just talk about what you’ve done, which is different things. Christine Campbell Yeah. And asking upfront, how much time do we have? And also getting a sense, right. And I know that might be a maturity thing, a friend of mine got trapped. She was giving really great answers, long answers and asked lots of questions. And afterwards, she got the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), he was a young young kid, completely green behind their ears, and heat. He was the pre qualifier. And, and he said, Sorry, you didn’t pass this phase, because I had 30 questions I needed to get through. But you talked so long that I only got through my 15 questions and like, Well, why didn’t you say so? Right. It’s like, that’s a bad interviewer set expectation at the beginning. But also as the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) my friend learned from that to ask better questions at the beginning, and to have a sense what what is the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) worse agenda and also understanding the different phases? [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) phases? Right? If you’re Is it a preschool? Is it a very short pre screen [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) over the phone? Well, you you’re not going to be talking about your difficult manager. And you’re going to the conversation with the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is going to be different and shorter than the actual conversation with the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. And you’re going to ask different questions of team members than you would of the of the VP. So just being mindful of this, the various levels of interviewers that you’re going to encounter and being mindful about about that, but just ask. people will tell you. [***Can I Walk Out on an Interview?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h5R) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) I think with Zoom [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), it’s easy, because you’re scheduled for a certain amount of time. You’ve gotten the calendar invite, it says nine to 9:30. You know, it’s a 30 minute [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and with the screener, the corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), they’ve got a checklist of things that the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers told them to check off, I guess, have you done this? Yes. How’d you go about it? 60 seconds answer tops. Right. Have you done that? Oh, okay. Let’s go to the next one. Have you done this? Yes. Okay, keep going. And I’m a believer that you try to keep the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) interactive. So AB a minute 15 If you slip no more than a minute 30 Because no one has an attention span from Christine Campbell when you see the person’s eyes rolling their head stop right. I paid about pay attention read body language [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) their eyes glaze over look in their mouth like they’ve just stifled the yarn in the chair problems change the [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) in the room and things up because you’ve been talking much too much. Christine Campbell Yeah, ask a question right that immediately you know Tony Robbins induced a state change if it’s not if the if the emotion is in the room if the other person is becoming catatonic. Find a way to change their state and and jar them and you know, ask them a question that’ll wake them up. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) That’s a fun approach. I have to do something the Tony Robbins method of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). Christine Campbell Oh, my God, go get them [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) a fun way of son approach to a topic. Anyway. What else? Haven’t we covered yet that we really should in storytelling and behavioral [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and things that people do wrong? I [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) Christine Campbell think we may have headed over, obviously, the obvious one, [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with a thank you email, right to everybody, you know, maybe you know, email, you know, you want to make sure everybody’s included in that. And also, as your last question, ask about what is the process? What is the rest of the [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) process? What are the next steps so that you are not, you’re not like sitting at the edge of the street, they see that they they already know that they have three more candidates to talk to and that their goal is to take the next me and maybe to not [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for another week or two etc to they already have a sense, but they might not they might forget to tell you always ask what’s what are the next step and just and to get permission? If I have not heard from you in a week? May I check in? Right? Because then if you get permission from them, they and they usually will say Oh, of course and you know, it’s like well, should I talk to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) what? How should they contact you? Right? That’s the sales technique. Always, always, always get permission to check in if you haven’t heard back and people either are shy about it. There’s so much ghosting going on in both directions right now. So if you have permission, people are shy that you know my candidates call me and they’re like, I haven’t heard in two weeks. What should I do like well call the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) right. Call the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and and leave one message you emailed them. And then if they don’t answer, you know, stay on it for us every three days and then every week, etc, etc, don’t become a total nuisance because they are often getting ghosted by the sometimes they get ghosted by the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. But right, take the power back and ask them what is the rest of the process. One of my candidates was [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with a super amazing high tech company, and they had the process online. And you can see five candidates in the first round four candidates, the next etc. This is where you are, it’s and so she could go on to the system every day and could see when people got eliminated. And she made it to the very second to last round. And then she got eliminated, but it was very Glasnost, it was completely the process was so transparent. And that was so helpful, because it’s nerve racking, right? It’s [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) it’s there’s so so much at stake, that I’m hoping companies will eventually kind of wake up to the to, if I’m [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) somewhere, and it is a traumatic, horrible experience, frankly, if I can, I’ll walk away from that. Right. And if [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at least 20 people want a bad experience. Yeah, Christine Campbell Absolutely. And if the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager is unpleasant, I don’t want to work for them. Right. So so right, it’s it’s it’s a it’s a job seekers job market right now. So you know, I think I’m hoping that [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) start waking up to the fact that if, you know, just goes both ways. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) And for me, by the way, I do that question about state where we are in the process with the process like I do. That’s my next to last question. So when they when they asked, So do you have any questions for us? Next? Last question is, could you give me a sense of what your timeline is for next steps? And when I might hear back, and I tell folks, you tend to be three responses. The first one is get 20 more people to talk to get back in touch when hell freezes over. That’s one luck. The second, I’d expect to early part of next week, which is okay. So if I haven’t heard from you by Wednesday, Thursday’s, okay, if I [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/). And there’s two responses to that, which is Wait, which tells you you didn’t do quite that? Well, but that’s a signal to you. Because otherwise they’d say, Sure, no problem. And the third response that you might get is expect the early part of next week, you’ll hear from nature, other ones, because you get back to me so and so and so and so the more specificity you get, the more likely they’re interested. And then the final question I have people ask is, is there anything that you’ve heard, or not heard? That gives you a reason to question whether you’re qualified to do this? Wow, which gives people one last cut at dispelling any erroneous assumptions that a firm is making? Because sometimes, again, I work with the assumption that [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers not all that skillful [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), right, the sample proof than that, but I know they’re not all that skill. So sometimes they ask a question, especially with the tech firms that lends people to think the answer is in one direction, and they wanted something different. So that question, is there anything that you’ve heard or not heard? That gives you reason to question whether I’m qualified, great question, gives them an opportunity to open up and say, I didn’t really hear a lot about such and such. ## ***[Changing Careers–Career Metamorphosis](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dG8)*** Christine Campbell Yeah, we want to flesh out the concerns if there if you have a way of flushing out their concerns, then [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) that’s one shot. Christine Campbell Exactly. Can I do one kind of point out one more thing. Time Thank you. Make the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) your friend, right? Because they are either if they love you, they will go to bat for you. If they don’t like you, the buck stops right there. They they want to get people placed quickly because they especially right now, in the large corporations, they’re they’re trying to get hundreds of positions filled sometimes. So they want to they they want a successful placement quickly and they hate it when when [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers suddenly get you know, disappear, etc, etc. So they are the liaison between you and the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager and, and it’s okay to make requests of the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). So I had one candidate, and he was [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager and the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager was super rude. He was driving. And so he wasn’t visible on Zoom. And it was just really awkward. He was distracted. Then he walked into his house and my candidate thought that the first thing he’s going to do is go to his computer and turn on Zoom. But he didn’t do that either. And afterwards, the candidate came to me and he called me he says I don’t want the job that was so RWD I said, well, but do you love the company says I so love the company, but I don’t want to work for this person. So I said, well give it let’s see what happens. So they loved him. The [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager loved him. And he met with a team via zoom. And instead of 30 minutes, they spent two hours talking with a candidate and talking about picking his brain and talking about challenges and brainstorming and finding solutions. And he got contacted by the recruiting manager by the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and it was said, they want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. And he called me said, I don’t want the job, the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers a jerk, is that okay? I said, so, let’s, let’s make the assumption that maybe he was having a bad day, let’s say there was a crisis at home, and he had to rush, leave the office and rush home and deal with a crisis. And that’s an issue. If that’s true, he should have told you, but he just didn’t tell you. And, and give him one more benefit of the doubt, if you love the team and the company so much. So he I recommended that he asked the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to meet with the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager one more time. He loved him. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Never make a marriage decision based on one date. Christine Campbell People loved him. He was on Zoom. They had a great conversation. And I was my instinct was right. He was having a crisis dealing with the crisis. And six months later, he’s still loving the job. So talk to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and say, Look, this is my concern. And can we can we can I have another shot with that one person? [***Mid-Career Career Change? Don’t Forget to Do This***](https://youtu.be/UZL_yxzveHk) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Exit Package***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lk3) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) ***[Are You The Target for a Job Layoff?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-47)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Should I Apply to One Job at a Time and Go Through The Process or Multiple Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-b6d) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ***[What You Must Do Before Your Next Job Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GS)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Answering Behavioral Interview Questions The Right Way, Behavioral interview questions --- ### [Turn Your Next Job Interview Into a Conversation](https://thebiggamehunter.us/turn-your-next-job-interview-into-a-conversation/) **Published:** June 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop acting like a defendant and learn the simple mental shift that changes the entire power dynamic in your favor. **Content:** # Turn Your Next Job Interview Into a Conversation **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most people fail before they even answer their first question because they treat the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) like a high-stakes interrogation. Having good answers is just table stakes; the top performers get hired because they know how to switch from a stiff Q&A into a genuine, two-way professional dialogue. Stop acting like a defendant and learn the simple mental shift that changes the entire power dynamic in your favor. We’ve all been there, right? That feeling of a job interview—it’s like a high-stakes test. But what if I told you there’s a simple little shift, a strategy that can turn that interrogation into a real conversation and actually help you land the job? Well, in this explainer, we’re going to break down that exact technique. Look, having good answers is table stakes, right? You have to have those. But [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) points out there is this hidden factor that consistently separates the people who get the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) from everyone else. So what is it? Turns out, it’s not just what you say, it’s all about how you say it. All right, so let’s start with the big problem. According to Altman, the whole issue starts before you even open your mouth to answer that first question. It’s this super common [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), and it’s all rooted in having the wrong mindset. It’s what makes so many candidates come across as, well, stiff and kind of unapproachable. And this right here, this is the core of that [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). Think about it: do you walk in thinking, “Okay, this is a test. I have to pass. A formal Q&A session.”? Or do you see it as a meeting between two professionals who are just trying to solve a problem together? Altman says that one little mental shift, well, it makes all the difference in the world. And this is the key insight from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). He’s a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach they call [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Pretty cool, right? Anyway, after doing literally thousands of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), he spotted this crystal-clear pattern: the candidates who treat the whole thing like a test, they just come across as stiff. And you know what? They consistently lose out to the ones who don’t. Okay, so if being stiff is the problem, what’s the fix? Well, the solution is something Altman calls the conversational shift, and it’s a total game changer—a strategy that flips the entire dynamic of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) on its head. So, what is this strategy? It’s the conversational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). And the goal is actually really simple: you actively turn that formal, stuffy Q&A into a genuine, two-way dialogue. And what’s your main tool to do that? It’s all about asking your own smart, relevant [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) questions. That’s how you build that human connection. Now, let’s be super clear about what this is not. Altman is very specific here: this is not about laughing and cracking a bunch of jokes. It’s not about being overly casual or, you know, trying to dominate the conversation. The goal here is to be engaging while still being completely professional. It’s a fine line, but it’s a crucial one. But why does this work so well? I mean, why is it so much more effective? The answer really gets to the core of what interviewers are actually looking for underneath all the questions, and that is a real human-level connection. Think of it this way: your main goal is to lift the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) up from being just a simple business transaction. The moment you connect with that interviewer on a human level, you stop being just another piece of paper, another [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in the pile. Suddenly, you’re a memorable person. You’re someone they can actually picture themselves working alongside, day in and day out. Okay, so how do you actually do this? What’s the tactic? It’s a really simple three-step flow. Step one: the interviewer asks you a question. Step two: you give your great, concise, strong answer. But then—and this is the magic part—step three: you ask a relevant [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) question of your own. That’s the move. That’s what turns a one-way street, an interrogation, into a real conversation. And remember, we’re not just talking theory here. This is a real pattern that [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) saw over and over again—as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/), as a coach, across thousands of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). This is a proven dynamic that works in the real world, with real [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) on the line. All right, let’s pull all this together. What’s the big takeaway? Here’s what you need to remember for your very next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). The difference in the outcome is just… it’s huge. It’s stark. Based on everything Altman has seen, the candidates who can pull off this conversational style are—and I’m quoting him here—”far more effective” and ultimately far more successful than the ones who stay stiff. It’s not even close. So, if you only remember one single thing from this entire explainer, please let it be this: the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), most successful [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) are conversations, not interrogations. Simple as that. So, as you’re getting ready for that next big opportunity, the choice is really yours. Are you walking into a test, or are you walking into an opportunity to actually connect with another person? How you answer that question might just be the thing that lands you the job. ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Follow on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews --- ### [How to Tailor Your Resume for the Greenhouse ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-tailor-your-resume-for-the-greenhouse-ats/) **Published:** June 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Greenhouse prioritizes someone's original uploaded document **Content:** # **How to Tailor Your Resume for the Greenhouse ATS** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Many job seekers believe that [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) are emotionless robots designed to automatically reject their [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) based on a lack of keywords. For companies using Greenhouse—a dominant [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) among mid-market tech companies, startups, and modern enterprises—this is a persistent myth. Greenhouse does not auto-reject [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) based on keyword density; instead, human [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) review your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) manually, though they are increasingly aided by [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools. To succeed, you must tailor your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to please both the human recruiter’s eye and the system’s underlying parser. **The Dual Audience: Human [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Summaries** Unlike legacy systems that force [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to read scrambled, auto-filled data forms, Greenhouse prioritizes the candidate’s original uploaded document. In the Greenhouse profile view, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) sees your actual [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) alongside a sidebar of parsed data. Because the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) reads your file directly, visual hierarchy and clear formatting remain highly important. However, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is effectively read twice: once by the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) and once by Greenhouse’s parsing engine. Greenhouse recently introduced an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) layer, such as the Talent Matching feature, which generates candidate summaries, match scores, and shortlist recommendations. Crucially, **this [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) only reads the parsed text, not the visual [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/)**. If your formatting breaks the parser, your skills become invisible to the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), resulting in a poor match score and a generic summary. **Format Cleanly for the Parser** To ensure your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is accurately parsed, you must stick to clean, text-based formatting. A **text-based [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/)** exported from Word or Google Docs is the ideal format because it preserves your visual design for the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) while allowing the parser to extract data reliably. Avoid graphics-heavy headers, tables, and images. If your name or [contact information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) is embedded in an image, the parser will miss it. Place your name, email, phone number, and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL in plain text within the main body of the document (preferably the top three lines), rather than hiding them in the document’s header or footer. Additionally, while recent Greenhouse parser upgrades handle two-column layouts better than before, a **single-column format is still the safest choice** to prevent the system from scrambling your work history in the keyword search index. Standardize your [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) dates using the “Month YYYY” format so the system can accurately extract your years of experience. **Optimize Keywords for Talent Matching** Greenhouse’s Talent Matching [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) extracts structured data from your resume—specifically skills, job titles, years of experience, [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) dates, and company names—to compare against the recruiter’s criteria. To optimize for this, include a **dedicated “Skills” section** featuring comma-separated plain text. Do not bury your core technical skills inside long paragraphs, as the search index and the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) rely heavily on structured skill blocks. You should also explicitly mirror the language used in the job description. While Greenhouse’s natural language processing can recognize synonyms and related terms through semantic search (such as knowing a “web developer” matches “software engineer”), exact phrase matches from the job posting are highly recommended to ensure undeniable alignment with the role. **Align with the [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) Scorecard** Ultimately, human [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers make the final decisions using Greenhouse’s structured Scorecard system. Interviewers rate you against pre-defined focus attributes, which are directly derived from the requirements and responsibilities in the job description. To prepare your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for this human evaluation, ensure that your bullet points provide concrete evidence of these exact attributes. Start your most recent roles with your strongest, quantifiable achievements. Use real scenarios and measurable outcomes (e.g., “increased revenue 15%”) rather than vague claims. This makes it exceptionally easy for a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) scanning your [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) to check the necessary boxes on their scorecard and move you forward in the pipeline. Successfully navigating the Greenhouse [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) requires a balanced approach. By combining a clean, single-column [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) layout with exact-match keywords and quantifiable achievements, you can ensure that your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is perfectly legible to the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) parser while remaining highly persuasive to the human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) evaluating your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Follow on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System, Text **Tags:** How to Tailor Your Resume for the Greenhouse ATS --- ### [Ace Your Next Interview with These Pro Tips](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ace-your-next-interview-with-these-pro-tips/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In this deep dive, Ronnie and Bobby share advanced, no BS interview prep techniques that help you outmaneuver even the toughest interviewers. **Content:** # Ace Your Next Interview with These Pro Tips **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3060 “Most people prep for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) like amateurs—vague answers, poor framing, and zero strategy. In this deep dive, Ronnie and Bobby share advanced, no BS [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) prep techniques that help you outmaneuver even the toughest interviewers. Learn how to use real frameworks (not fluff), nail behavioral questions, and deliver answers that get offers.” [***Enhancing Your Job Search with AI***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mef) Welcome to the Deep Dive. Today we’re cutting through the noise and pulling out the most vital insights from a stack of incredible sources about a topic that touches almost everyone’s life, [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Specifically how to avoid those common pitfalls, you know, the ones that can trip you up before you even really get a chance to shine. Our mission today is to equip you, our listener, with a shortcut to being well informed and really confident for your next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). We’ve taken some fantastic material, including insights from seasoned [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) coaches, real world examples, and we’re going to unpack the nine key [ways people often inadvertently sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/9-ways-people-sabotage-themselves-on-interviews-jobsearchtv-com/) themselves. And more importantly, how you can avoid doing the exact same thing. That’s right. We’re going beyond this sort of obvious dress well and beyond time advice. We’re looking at patterns, connecting the dots from, you know, successful [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and bringing you the essential wisdom to navigate these things strategically. You’ll gain practical, actionable advice that helps you understand not just what to do, but crucially why it matters, hopefully giving you some of those aha moments. Okay, let’s unpack this. Let’s jump right into a big one. Money. It’s often the first hurdle. And frankly, many people inadvertently, well, throw money away during negotiations because they misstep really early on. Absolutely. The first major [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is destroying your negotiating position right at the outset, particularly when asked about [salary expectations](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-answer-the-salary-expectations-question-in-a-job-interview/) during, say, an initial phone screening. [Job hunters often](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-interview-mistakes-10-mistakes-job-hunters-make-way-too-often/) don’t realize this is the very beginning of the negotiation, you know, and their first answer can dramatically limit their future earning potential. Okay. So if you’re on that call and they hit you with the dreaded, what are your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) expectations? Question, how do you deftly handle it without leaving money on the table? Right. The key is to pivot. Your first move should be to ask them for the budgeted range for the position. In many places, they’re actually legally required to provide this now. Oh, interesting. I didn’t realize that was legally required in some places. Yeah, it’s becoming more common. So if they give you a range, respond positively, but crucially, noncommittally, something like, that sounds like a good ballpark. And I’m confident that once we determine this is a great fit, we’ll certainly agree on a fair and competitive compensation package. You [keep it open](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-how-many-browser-tabs-do-you-keep-open-jobsearchtv-com/). Okay. Keep it open. But what if they’re hesitant or they say they don’t have a range readily available, or maybe they push back and insist you give a number first? Yeah, that happens. If they really press you, you can say you’ve done some [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) online and seen salaries for similar roles ranging from X to Y. Give a well-researched, fairly broad range based on your experience and the [market value](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-being-filtered-out-on-linkedin-embrace-market-value-filters-and-be-found/), but then immediately reiterate that you’re sure you’ll agree on something fair once a mutual fit is established. You can also add something like, you typically see yourself at the mid to upper end of that range. That signals your value without committing to a specific number. Right. Signals value. Exactly. The goal is really just to defer and redirect, keeping your options open for later. Okay. So once we’ve masterfully navigated the money talk, that leads us to the actual content of your answers. The second pitfall you mentioned is giving those generic standard responses. The ones that sound like they came straight off a website. Oh, this is absolutely crucial. While a formulaic approach might work okay for [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) discussions, for questions about your experience, your approach, you need to be both authentic and strategic. We sometimes call this the yin and yang of a good [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). It’s this essential balance between genuine self-expression and [strategic alignment with the job’s](https://thebiggamehunter.us/strategic-job-change-and-career-planning-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/) needs. You have to be yourself, definitely, but it needs to be your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), most relevant self, proactively selling your fit for that specific job. That idea of authenticity is powerful, yeah, but it also feels like a bit of a tightrope walk. How do you avoid rambling or maybe oversharing, especially when you’re nervous, while still being genuinely you? That’s a great point. Start with what we call the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend answer. Before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), literally say out loud what you’d tell your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend if they asked you about that experience or skill. Okay, like a practice run. Exactly. Like if they asked about a past project, you might tell your friend, oh man, that one was tough, but we totally nailed it. I remember thinking, get that raw, sincere thought out. Then you edit and polish it, add the strategic elements that tie it back to the job you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for. This helps you speak with a sincerity and emotional intelligence that interviewers really value. And they can tell, right? Oh, they can tell. They’ve heard [canned](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) answers a thousand times. They can smell inauthenticity a mile off, and it’s a huge turnoff. Okay. Building on that, the third major misstep you highlighted is shooting yourself in the foot when asked about negative or sensitive subjects. Things like, why did you leave your last job? Or maybe, tell me about your previous boss’s weaknesses. Those feel like minefields. Right. They can feel tricky. But remember, every single question, even these so-called negative ones, is actually an opportunity to sell yourself. For handling these, we use a little tool called the ABC tool. A is for analyze. First, quickly think, what are they truly trying to learn here? If they ask about a difficult boss, they’re probably looking for things like discretion, emotional intelligence, your ability to work with different personalities, or maybe your conflict resolution skills. Ah, okay. So understand the real question behind the question. Precisely. Then B is for brevity. Keep the negative part incredibly brief. Don’t launch into a long winding story about why you were [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) or why you had a challenging boss. For instance, if you were [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), a brief professional answer might be something like, 50 positions were eliminated from my company due to restructuring, and unfortunately, one of them was mine. After taking care of some personal business and enjoying some long-awaited time off, I started looking for not just any job, but specifically the right job where my skills could truly make an impact. See? Brief, professional, forward-looking. Got it. Brief on the negative. Then C is for circle with positives. Always, always follow that brief, negative part with positives. For a difficult boss question, you might say something like, my boss was incredibly passionate about his work in [achieving excellence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/achieving-excellence-careerangles-com-shorts/). While I prefer to focus on the positive aspects of my past experiences, we were actually able to achieve some remarkable things together, and I’m really looking forward to discussing those achievements with you. Or, if asked about your own weakness, briefly acknowledge it, but immediately state what you’re actively doing to improve it. Frame it as a growth opportunity. That ABC framework sounds incredibly helpful for structuring the content. But what about the delivery? How long should answers like these actually be, particularly for those sensitive topics? Good question. Generally, you want to aim for about a minute to maybe a minute and 15 seconds for most answers. We live in a world of short attention spans, right? Don’t make them tune out. Yeah, keep it concise. Exactly. And for those negative topics, probably even shorter, maybe around 40 seconds or so. Just enough to address it, get off the hook, and pivot to something positive as quickly as possible. Address it, but move on. Okay. That perfectly leads us to pitfall number four, rambling. It’s so easy to do when you’re nervous or, you know, trying really hard to impress. Oh, this is one of the most common issues we see. The solution is partly careful planning, but also self-awareness in the moment. Have a mental map, maybe two, three key points for common questions. And if you find yourself starting to wander, interrupt yourself gracefully. Seriously. You can say something like, long story short is, or to get to the essence of it, what I’m trying to convey is, and then just get straight to your main point. Interviewers actually appreciate that kind of conciseness. That’s good advice, interrupting yourself. And when you are done, how do you signal that without that awkward pause or maybe that upward inflection that sounds like you’re asking a question? Yeah, that upward inflection is deadly. Know your ending. Often it’s just a slight downward note in your voice indicating completion. It sounds more confident than a rising tone that makes you sound unsure or like you’re asking, was that okay? You can also briefly [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) back to the question you were asked, or even better, [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) forward to how your experience relates directly to their company or the role. The idea is to concisely tie everything together with what they need. Okay. So moving on to number five, don’t just sit back and hope they ask the right questions to highlight your strengths. You need to be proactive about your messaging. This feels like a real strategy shift. It absolutely is. You need to go into every single [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) knowing what unique special qualities you want to convey. What are your top two or three key selling points? What’s your [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) for this specific role? What genuinely makes you stand out from the dozens, maybe hundreds of other applicants? This requires a bit of introspection about [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) narrative before you even walk in the door. So once you’ve identified those standout qualities, how do you actually weave that into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) naturally, especially early on? Your answer to those foundational questions like, tell me about yourself or walk me through your background, needs to strategically bring out those top two or three qualities right away. And here’s a pro tip. Even before they ask, tell me about yourself, you could try to slip in a clarifying question about their top priorities for the role. Something like, before I dive in, could you share what the top one or two priorities are for the person in this role in the first six months? Ah, clever. Get them to tell you what they care about most. Exactly. This then allows you to tailor your initial summary. You can start with a concise, maybe 20 second synopsis of your overall experience and then directly connect it to what’s most relevant for their specific stated needs. It’s a powerful way to show your unique fit right at the start. And it demonstrates you’ve done your homework and you’re focused on their problems. That really does sound like a [powerful way to differentiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/changing-the-power-differential-in-the-interview-jobsearchtv-com/) yourself right from the get-go, which brings us neatly to number six. Don’t wait until the very end to ask your questions. Yes. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), the most memorable ones, become dynamic conversations, not just one-sided interrogations. This makes both parties more comfortable, honestly, and it allows everyone to shine a little more. It really levels the playing field when both sides are engaged in a genuine dialogue. So beyond that opening clarifying question you just mentioned, what are some other practical ways to turn an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) into more of a, you know, a two-way street? Well, you can ask for more background when they pose a question. For example, you could say, that’s a great question and I’d love to answer it, but just to make sure I’m hitting the mark, could you tell me if you’re more interested in the x-aspect or the y-aspect of that, or perhaps what that looks like here at your company? So you tailor your answer better. Precisely. It ensures your answer is targeted and immediately relevant. Also, at the end of one of your answers, you can ask something like, was that the level of detail you were looking for? Or is there anything more you’d like to know about that particular experience? Well, maybe even… Or even, how does that approach compare to how things are typically done here? The goal is simply to get them talking, show your genuine interest in their company and the role itself, and demonstrate that you’re an engaged, curious, thoughtful professional. Moving on to number seven, being vague. You mentioned this briefly, but generalities just don’t cut it in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) setting, do they? Absolutely not. You need to be specific. Specificity is credibility. When discussing your experience or your approach, use concrete examples. Quantify your results whenever possible. Money saved, money earned, percentage improvements, time reductions, increased efficiency. Business fundamentally speaks the language of numbers. Even if you don’t have exact figures readily available, use strong adjectives like dramatically improved, significantly reduced, or substantially streamlined. What about roles where it’s harder to quantify? Like, maybe more creative or people-focused roles? Great question. For roles that aren’t as easily quantifiable, use compelling anecdotal evidence. Tell a brief story that illustrates your point. Or, even better, use direct [quotes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) from superiors or clients about your impact. For instance, you could literally [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) a powerful compliment from a CEO about an initiative you led. Or explain how your project streamlined a process, perhaps saving five hours a week for three team members. Frame it in terms of resources or time recovered, not just direct revenue. This makes your answers specific, interesting, and frankly, incredibly memorable compared to vague claims. That’s fantastic advice for making your impact crystal clear. But it raises another important question. How do you prove those intangible qualities, the, you know, the soft skills or emotional intelligence? That brings us to number eight. Right, the soft skills. You don’t just claim you’re empathetic or a good team player. You have to demonstrate it throughout the entire process. How do you demonstrate it? It means actively showing empathy and respect to everyone you encounter, from the person who scheduled the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), to the receptionist, right through to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. It means being patient if there’s an interruption, listening attentively, and generally treating people with genuine care, not just, you know, phony politeness. Interviewers are constantly observing how you interact, not just what you say. Okay, so demonstration is key. But beyond that immediate interaction, how can you provide more concrete evidence of these softer skills in your answers? Look for social proof before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Strong [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) recommendations, for example, are often reviewed by interviewers before they even meet you. Make sure those are up to date and relevant. Then in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) itself, have [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) stories ready. Situations where you clearly demonstrated teamwork, resolved a conflict effectively, showed leadership, or maybe coached a junior team member. Many people find structured frameworks helpful here, like star situation, task, action, result, or search situation, obstacles, actions, results. Right, the star method. I’ve heard of that. Yeah, there’s just structured ways to tell a concise story that demonstrates your skills and impact. But the absolute most critical part of any of these frameworks is the R, the result. Don’t just tell the story and stop. Don’t shortchange the impact you actually made. Quantify it if you possibly can. Describe the tangible [benefit to the company](https://thebiggamehunter.us/got-the-job-offer-company-benefits-to-look-into-shorts/) or, as we mentioned, [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) someone’s positive [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) about the outcome. Always, always focus on the positive outcome of your actions. Excellent point. Okay, finally, number nine. Not preparing sufficiently in advance. It sounds almost too obvious, but clearly it’s a massive pitfall people fall into. It’s truly astonishing how many people wait until maybe an in-person [final round interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-is-hr-calling-me-after-a-final-round-interview/) is to really start preparing seriously. But by then, they might have already fumbled a crucial phone screening or an earlier virtual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) without even realizing it. The core insight here is simple. Realize that any conversation with a potential employer, from that very first [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) call to an informal coffee chat, is effectively an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). You need to have [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) some of these elements we’ve discussed. Your key selling points, your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), your negative situation answers, as soon as you’re actively in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), maybe even before you start [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/). So you’re saying don’t wait. Don’t wait. You don’t want the very first time these crucial words or stories come out of your mouth to be in the actual high stakes [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) situation. So for the listener who wants to be truly ready, what does comprehensive preparation really look like in practice? Okay, realistically, give yourself at least a full week to prepare properly for a significant [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Practice your answers out loud. Seriously, not just running through them in your head, hearing yourself say it is different. Do mock [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Get a trusted friend, a partner, maybe even a professional coach, and actively ask for honest [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Don’t just practice. Get specific [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) on your tone, your pacing, your body language, your facial expressions. Especially with video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) being so common now, right? Exactly. If you’re using video, check your background obsessively for distractions. Make sure your lighting is good. Ensure your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), your excitement, your personality actually come across authentically through the screen. And review recordings if you can. Look at how your gestures and expressions might reveal unconscious habits. Maybe you fidget or look away too much. Anything that takes attention away from you and your message is basically a liability. Thorough preparation builds [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), reduces [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and ultimately allows your authentic [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) self to shine through when it counts. Wow, that was a truly insightful deep dive into avoiding [self-sabotage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sabotaging-yourself-during-a-presentation-or-job-interview-nobsjobsearchadvice-com-2/) in [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Really practical stuff. From mastering those tricky [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) discussions and handling tough questions gracefully, to proactively highlighting your unique value, proving your soft skills, and truly understanding the critical power of preparation. It’s clear that strategy, authenticity, and practice are definitely your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friends. Indeed they are. By understanding these nine common pitfalls, and more importantly, proactively addressing them, you’re not just passively answering questions anymore. You’re actively shaping the narrative. You’re demonstrating your unique value, and you’re working to transform the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) into a genuine, engaging conversation. Remember the importance of being specific, being concise, and making every single interaction count. So what does all this mean for you, the listener? It means you absolutely have the power to transform your entire [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) experience. You can find helpful resources online. There are books about winning [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), free tools like infographics on handling [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) questions, negotiation templates to help you plan your strategy. Many experts also [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) services if you need more personalized help with [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles, or developing a comprehensive [job search strategy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/this-is-the-only-job-search-strategy-you-need-to-get-right-to-find-a-new-job/). And maybe here’s a final provocative thought for you to consider as you prepare. Interviewers are often quite paranoid, maybe understandably so, about making a bad [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). Statistics actually suggest a pretty high percentage of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers experience what they call buyer’s remorse within 18 months of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone. Understanding this underlying fear, this [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on their side, can help you frame your answers, not just to show you’re a good candidate, but to actively alleviate their anxieties, to demonstrate that you are not just the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) choice, perhaps, but also the safest choice. What does that perspective shift change about how you might approach your next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? That’s definitely something to mull over. We really hope this deep dive has provided you with valuable, actionable [insights for your job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/unlocking-the-secrets-to-a-successful-job-search-with-expert-insights/) journey. We’ll be back soon with more fascinating information to help you navigate the world. Be great! ***[Better Than Applying Through The ATS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6U3)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Giving Thanks](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85y)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Great Indeed.com Resume Hack***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2rc) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his [work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-tell-me-about-your-work-history/) or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews, Preparation **Tags:** Ace Your Next Interview with These Pro Tips --- ### [Being Bold? No, SUPERBOLD!](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-bold-no-superbold/) **Published:** February 4, 2024 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** If you've ever wanted to light up an interview or any other place in your life, my interview with Fred Joyal is something you should listen to. **Content:** # Being Bold? No, SUPERBOLD! ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** If you’ve ever wanted to light up an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) or any other place in your life, my [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Fred Joyal is something you should listen to. [You can purchase his book with this link https://amzn.to/3h4xj32](https://amzn.to/3h4xj32) So my guest today is Fred Joyal, Fred is the author of the Super Bold, Super Bold. And it’s from underconfident to [charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) in 90 days. And for many of you, it’s an important thing for you to work out because you’ve been beaten up for so long that you don’t realize you’ve been beaten up. So Fred is someone who I think you may know, one of his businesses, 1800 dentist, 1800 dentist, and he’s also dabbled in stand up in improv, and acted in bad movies. And in great TV commercials. Which commercials have you been in? My own? Okay. [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) Perfect. He’s played, he played in beat Richard Branson and chess on the island, and was also an answer to a Jeopardy question. I love that part of the book. And that’s really part of what we’re talking about how you stand out from everyone else. Fred, thanks for making time to talk to everyone today. I really appreciate it. Yeah, I’m excited to be here and impart a little life wisdom or life tools that people can use. And thus, it starts off with the question of Super Bold. Yes. What do you mean by Super Bold? And how would you translate that for someone? That’s just a Super Bold? What do you mean by being bold, or super bold? So Boldness is [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) in action. It’s, you know, [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) is something you want to feel. But you have to take it into action. Bold people do stuff, they take chances, they take risks, they start businesses, they ask for raises, they introduce themselves to anybody they want to meet. And, and super bold is to be able to summon that boldness whenever you want. And people say, Well, you’re they may be born that way. You know, that’s the way they act. I can’t do that. Well, I’m a bold introvert. I started off in my life incredibly shy, but I figured out ways to become as bold as I wanted to be. Now it took me way longer. I’ve distilled it down to something somebody can learn much more quickly, and then keep on working it the rest of their life. That’s really cool. Because so often, I’ll speak for myself, you know, I grew up as a lower middle class kid in the Bronx. And I used to pop like Sylvester Stallone, you know, Ben de I was raised to talk. And I got to college, I was treated like an idiot. I can’t imagine why No, No, it’s, it’s strange. And in making conscious choices, I didn’t want to be that way. I knew I had to work at it. My first interim step was a funny British accent. I realized how ridiculous I sounded. Talking through New York, like this eventually just changed my speaking style one more time, to where it is now. Practice will help people get better. So I get where you’re coming from. Because I’ve lived my version of, yeah, well, you you’ve done stuff to change yourself. And that’s all this is really about is like, somebody has to decide they want to be more confident, they want to act with boldness, they want to be able to summon that when they whenever they needed whenever they want. I can’t make somebody want to change, I can’t make them want to change by reading the book, they got to read the book and go, Yeah, this is who I want to become. And I’ll show him exactly how to do it. I’ll show him a fast and simple way to keep expanding their comfort zone wider and wider and wider. Till they they really achieve their dreams. And, you know, they achieved their dream, maybe a better [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and maybe a better relationship. Why wouldn’t it be all of those things, you know, so [***Group Interviews: The Way to Answer Questions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5i) it should be and I’m going to pick on one word in your subtitle. And I love that word, because I know when [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) competence is only one thing they look for chemistry, [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), chemistry, maybe a little bit of [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/), self [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). They, they want someone who cares. But that word [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) I’m always asked about, gee, I don’t think I’m really [charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/). I don’t want to become [charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/). Well, that’s, that’s, that’s what boldness does. When somebody is bold enough when they’re confident just in a way that just radiates from them. That’s all the [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) is, is somebody just feeling so good about themselves, that they attract people and they’re very positive people. They’re their tribe. To make stuff better than they’re really comfortable making other people feel better about themselves. And that’s a lot of what I talked about in the book is it’s not just being bold, it’s like being bold in a, in a way that uplifts other people, as you’re achieving your dreams, because that’s, that’s gonna be the most satisfying life. And when you do that, in some of the things, I have very specific ways that I talk about how, for example, you make somebody that you’re talking to feel like they’re the only person in the room. That’s a life skill, you can learn that. But when you do that, people never forget you. And they go, they’ll say, I met Jeff, like five years ago. Yeah, really interesting, charming guy love the guy. You may not have said five words to them. But you ask them a whole bunch of questions about their life. Right? You show that you were totally interested in them, and only them at that moment. And that made a huge impression. That’s what [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) is. [Charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) is this magic that occurs when you exude [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). And you care and are really interested in people. Bill Clinton was really good, or actually is really good at that. And if memory serves me right, again, experience of him at one point where he captivated everyone he met with we’re sure that story. Yeah. So this was in he was fundraising. For his first campaign, it was at a large home in Beverly Hills, and there were several 100 people there. And he would meet people, one at a time. And he would lock on to them. And and that you could tell that they and it would be 30 seconds. That’s Are you shaking their hand, he’s, he’s asking them something, or they’re saying something. And you know, and I remember this, this one woman had come up to him and said, you know, my brother died in the Gulf War. And and, you know, people have forgotten about that. And he looked right at her and he said, I haven’t forgotten. So he listened to to exactly what she said. And he thought about what would be the most connected thing he could say to her. And, and she was in tears, she turned away she was in tears. And so I really believe that’s part of why he got elected is he could he, he could exude that [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/), one person at a time and then eventually to large audiences. It’s funny, one of one of the hat phrases that he would say is I feel your pain. And in retrospect, as were many years removed from his presidency, he really gave you the feeling that he felt your pain. Yeah, it for interviewers, or for interviewers still looking for any sort of a connection with the person opposite that. Yeah. And often, everyone’s a little robot there, right? Yeah. Yeah, this is the and this is a guy that had to admit his infidelities to the world back when back when it mattered, apparently. You know, and but but that’s, it’s the same thing. For any one of us. It’s for you and me, I’m we’re going to talk about stuff that matters to me. And hopefully, I’m going to find things that matter to you. That That I can And that people who are listening on the go, yeah, that that resonates with me. And I do want to become bolder, I want to be bolder for that reason. And that’s part of what I tell people is like, this isn’t just so you’re the life of the party, it’s because there are going to be these moments that these opportunities come up, you’re going to get one chance, and it’s going to be brief. And you’re not going to want to hesitate. Because if you do, you’re going to regret it the rest of your life, it will be a create turning point in your life that you will miss and it may be somebody that you meet. That could be a connection for work, it could be a relationship, it could be giving a eulogy for a close friend or a parent. And you and I so many people, I met funerals, often unfortunately, as you get older and older and and there are people who, who I know are close to these people, they won’t get up and say anything. I’ve read eulogies for other people, because you’re like, I’m not a good public speaker. It’s like you want to be able to get up and say what you feel about that person, you’re going to get one chance at that. And life is full of these things. You want to be the one that stepped up that didn’t stop yourself. And that’s what Boldness is Most people do not stop themselves. They act, they take a shot, they go out, they put themselves out there, they don’t worry about [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) or embarrassment or any of those things. And that’s the difference And folks, if you take away anything from this conversation, you’re going to take away more, but I want you to hear that statement again. Both people don’t stop themselves from acting as suffocate. Yeah, so yeah, I’m [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/). Ooh, [Becoming THE GOAT](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4En) People might laugh at me. I’ll be embarrassed. I might fail. Oh, really? It? How did you think you learn to speak English or, or walk? So, I mean, it’s like bold people go like failures are just, that’s a stairway up for them. It’s like a bumped into that wall and that wall and that wall. Oh, I got through, I found the door. You know, that’s, that’s the difference. And the thing about under confident people, and people who tell themselves they’re shy, or people who hesitate is they’re really good at coming up with what could happen, that’s bad. Or interpreting it as bad what what they can think of all the bad things that might happen. What they’re terrible at, is calculating the odds of those things actually happening. You know, they think it’s like, 90% chance it’s gonna happen. And it’s like to write bold people go, I don’t even have to calculate the odds, because I’m gonna, I’m gonna deal with whatever happens. So what can people start to do to become more bold, more [charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/)? What sort of actions can they practice in order to start moving the needle? Knowing that it’s going to take time? Yeah. So the, the way my book is structured is I talk about the mindset and I talk about some some social skills and communication tools. And then I dive into a whole series of exercises, five levels of boldness, muscle exercises, that you’re going to do, from from wherever you are, you could be a total shy closet case kind of person that just, you know, like, you can’t look people in the eye, right? I’m gonna, I’m gonna start you wherever you are, and move you up and up and up at a pace you can handle. But you’re going to start to do exercises that are many of them are aimed for failure. It’s like you’re going to, you’re going to smile at people until somebody doesn’t smile back, and then you’re going to go, nothing bad happened. They just didn’t smile back. You have and it’s, I want you to register that you have no idea what headspace that other person is in. They can could be the worst day of their life. They could have just gotten [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/), just gotten divorced, their blood sugar could have plummeted or whatever. You don’t know. So why are you taking it on? Why are you worried about oh, people, people are gonna think this about me? It’s like, Why do you care? What? Why would their opinions matter to you? You don’t know that? Right? So I’m gonna have you start doing simple things like smiling at people then maybe introduce yourself to a stranger every day. With no agenda. It’s, it’s, uh, you’re just gonna be me, you may just say hi. Just wanted to say hi. Just wanted to say that that hat looks righteous on you. And you know, you should wear it every day, you know, or whatever, I call it doing a drive by compliment, right you do it, you have no expectation no agenda. And when people feel you’ve got you got no ulterior motive. They just glow with it. Again, this is part of being [charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) is you you’re generous with your praise with your compliments with with your, your uplifting voice. And when you do that, it becomes magical. You feel like like wow, I’m it’s like you’re walking around, touching people with a wand. You know, because a complete stranger has gone out of their way to say something nice to them. And and then I’m going to build you up, you’re gonna start to do crazier and crazier things as the exercises go up. I’m gonna have you every time you see an employee’s only do sign you’re going in, right? Because you’re going to find out, nothing bad happens. If it’s unlocked and you go in. Nobody’s going to beat you to death on the other side. Right? Nobody’s going to arrest you. Half the time. Nobody’s going to say anything. Because they think you belong there. This is this is the other thing I want to drive home. And it’s not really in the book. But I said to people all the time. It’s like I want this to be your mantra. I belong everywhere. I belong everywhere. There’s nowhere I don’t belong. It’s a choice to feel like you don’t belong. So choose to feel like you belong. Wherever you are, you can be. I’ve been I’ve met billionaires, okay, guys who, who, who will make more money than if I live to, you know, 500 I couldn’t catch up to them. And I, I treat them like people. I’ve been in situations where I’m the worst dress like I’m the most underdressed person there. I still belong there. You know why? Because I’m just a human being like everybody else. They’re all just human beings. They may have a toxin, and I may have jeans on. But I belong there, because I’m there. Because I felt myself that. ***[14 Practical Steps To Establish A Standout Personal Brand Online](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dkI)*** And folks, just want to remind you that would Fred’s doing here is to feeding the programming you’ve gotten throughout a good part of your life, with different tools and tactics. Because when you think about school, I don’t know what it’s like in other countries, I went to school in the US. And basically, the idea of school was shut up and do what we tell you to do when we tell you to do it. regurgitate the facts, when we ask for the facts, or else Or else, you won’t get a good grade and get into the college you want to get into. You will be a bomb and regresses in college, you won’t get the good job. And then you find that when you get a good job some you do a good job by being obedient and following instructions and doing people do what people tell you to do. And one day they fire you because the economy sour you go, what happened? I was doing a good job. And being a conformist doesn’t really serve most of the time, does it? No, I mean, that’s why when you’re in that job, and you’re doing it in the conformist way, you see somebody else get a promotion, you see somebody else get a [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/), you see somebody else move to a different business, and then with a better job, you see them start their own business, and you’re like, how is this happening? It’s like it’s happening. Because you’re not conforming, they’re not they’re not waiting for somebody to tell them. Yes, they’re waiting. They’re not stopping themselves till somebody says no. And then sometimes they take it as not yet. And they try to find their way through anyway. So And sadly, as you say, this stuff is it’s not taught in school, your you are not taught even, you’re not taught how to shake hands and make [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/). Right? You’re not taught how to introduce yourself to anybody you want to meet. But why the heck not? Why wouldn’t that be a life skill? We got it, we got to spend like two days learning how to drive a car, then take the test, and another two weeks to learn how to actually physically drive it. And somebody is going to check to see if we know how that but but know how to beat somebody that you would like to meet, know how to talk like a normal person don’t know how to show you’re interested in that. Nobody teaches you that. Agree. I was thinking the story about Steven Spielberg as a young man and how he really got launched in the movie business. He was on a tour. And he wore a suit that day and carried a briefcase. And one day he hopped off the tour bus. And he walked into one of the studio buildings and just started working on his movie. And no one championship. And he did this for a month before someone noticed him. And they said what do you do? A movie? Like how did you get me here? And he told them and Door was open? Yeah, basically. And yeah, the beauty and the story is if you’ve seen his movies, his his company’s called ambulate. Yeah, and that was the name of the first movie. He worked on Amblin it’s a hokey movie. Maybe I’m looking at it from older eyes. But he was like 16 years old at the time doing right. He did make Schindler’s List. So you know. Yeah, he’s got he’s got some sophistication to it. We got that. But fundamentally, for those of you who hold back, what’s the risk for you to do things differently? What might happen? So well, is that a classic example of I belong here or not? I just went, I’m here. I must belong here. So, right. I got the suit the prove it. Yeah. So can you give us a couple of exercises that people can do? I know you mentioned smiling, which I’m pretty good at. ***[7 Ways Effective Presentations are Helpful in Your Career Advancement](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fuH)*** Yes, you are there. But a lot of people aren’t. A lot of people are. They’re stingy with their smile. I smile at everybody. I talked to anybody in an elevator. I just stopped I’ll say something Next, you know, the guy that just got out with too much cologne on I’ll turn it to the person I’ll go, that was quite a bit of Cologne. And they’ll go, oh my god, I thought it was me. But yeah, but yes, that’s that is amazing. I said Yeah, I think there’s some on me still, you know, or and you just had this little exchange talk to strangers that’s like you pretend you’re not five years old anymore talk to strangers and and interact with without an agenda but you know then there’s little exercises and other interact without an agenda, it say more about hat? Well, you know when they say oh, you’re going to network, you’re going to meet people, it’s the worst motivation to walk into a room of people that you may want to know, what you should do is you walk in in there and say, I’m going to I’m going to make five people in this room feel really good about themselves. And I’m going to find out something really interesting about those five people. That should be your agenda. I you know, as I said before you you can have a conversation with somebody. And all you and this is one of the key rules, power tools of life. ask good questions. And and when when somebody says something interesting, you don’t try to top it. You go tell me more about that. If they say I like that people do this all the time, somebody will say I was I just got back from Rome. And they’ll say, oh, yeah, I was in Rome. Five years ago, I saw the Rolling Stones at the Colosseum, you know, and it rained and it was like, I was like, I can’t top that I just I just drank espresso and walked around in ROM. So it’s like, so that you’ve you’ve imbalance that instead of going, really? What was your favorite part of Rome? What town town I want to go back and I want if I miss something, I want you to tell me what that would be. And you and see that the nature of the question. I’m eliciting them to talk more about themselves. And I’m, I’m locked on a lockdown like Bill Clinton. I’m like, I’m attending to them. I am listening actively to what they have to say. And I’m not waiting to tell them something. I’m not trying to be funnier than them. I’m not trying to be smarter than them. I’m not trying to correct them. I I can correct anybody’s grammar that I’m talking to you. Do you think that would endear me to them? If I did that? I don’t think so. To translate. You’re one of the outcomes of this because often people don’t understand why this is a great thing to do. One of the things I learned as a headhunter was the more they talk on the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), the more they like you. Yeah. So every time you’re there, basking in their magnificence, listening to everything that they’re saying is those the most important words that could ever be uttered by a human being on the planet. They like you more doesn’t mean necessarily, you’ll get hired, but you’re getting ahead of the situation by being the one that they like, and are interested in, because you’re willing to listen and make them feel important. Instead of yourself feel important. For Yeah, that’s they’re coming away. And they’ll say, Wow, she was great. I loved meeting her. She was so interesting. And then you and they know nothing about her because she was just great at asking, asking questions, and making them feel like they’re the most important person in the room. And they just go She’s amazing. You got to meet her. This is what this is. What you don’t plan for and you can’t really strategize is your boldness and your [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) when it radiates. All the a lot of the interesting stuff comes completely out of left field. I think it happened to me yesterday that I was walking around this trade show with with somebody. And this this man recognize me recognizes me starts to tell a compass over talks to me starts to tell me that the woman who is with you need to know this guy, right? He says he knows more about marketing in this industry than anybody. It’s just like, I wasn’t that I’ve never heard of you. And I said, I don’t know. Right but but he I let him he and before I was done, she was ready for a full on marketing consultation with me because I had connected with him three four years ago and and really just did exactly that. I was just interested in his story. I didn’t tell him that much about me. So To do who I was. But what I did was he thought he considers me like an icon in my industry. So the fact that I talked to him at all, he was so [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) about the fact that I listened to him, and remembered what he said and all of that even remembering his name, which is, hey, one of the things that people when they’re anxious, and they don’t relax in a conversation, they forget the people’s names. Use their name, say their name. Say it again, the next time you see him, know it, those things, people love their names. This is not a mystery, right? But we get if you forget it, you say, Look, you told me such an interesting thing that I forgot your name. Please remind me of your name one more time, right? You you imbedded a compliment in the request, instead of going I’m really bad with names. Can you tell me a name again? Right. It’s like, that’s like, you’re so unimportant. I didn’t register anything about you, including your name. Right? That’s when you say it that way. You’re less important than a social security number. That’s what you say? Because everyone knows the social security number, right? It was ridiculous numbers arbitrarily chosen. But I can’t remember names. Yes, right. Yeah, you can remember all of these digits, you know, [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) people remember the whole credit cards and everything like that. So and the secret gotta remember the secret code and all that. So what what I do is with the exercises is huge. You just start to do them, you do them every day. Now there’s a method I call the pride method, which is a five step method for doing exercises and building your boldness. You can also use it in real situations, but you’re going to use it in the exercises, to figure out what bold people already know, which is 99% of the time, nothing bad happens. And very often something good happens. And, and hey, everything good in my life. I can probably attribute to some act of boldness somewhere along the line. Either the the job, I got the business, I’m in the relationships, I have the friends I have. All just like I you know, I have a lifelong friend that I met the first day of college, it was just as I decided to talk to him because he was from the south Yeti. Interesting accent. He’s from Louisiana, when I started chatting with him. One of my [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friends, it’s still to this day, because I just I didn’t sit there saying I you know, I’m shy. Right? What this is, the thing is, I always attack people who say I’m shy. It’s like, No, you behave in a shy way. You’re you’re tall, or you’re short, or you’re heavy, or you’re skinny, or you’re blonde, or you’re brunette, that’s what you are, you are not shy, you’re behaving in a shy manner. And I’ll bet you can come up with 20 times when you didn’t behave shyly at all. You were in Thanksgiving dinner with all your friends and family and you there was nothing shy about you is screaming at the football game, you’re, you know, you’re making fun of your cousin. So you’re not shy, you’re just you act shy. Sometimes, unfortunately, when it matters most that you shouldn’t, you know, there’s a whole bunch of people who are confident until it matters, till it until it until the time they actually have to step up. That’s what super bold is, is like, you step up, you never stop yourself. But when it really matters, that’s when you bring it and you mentioned is one of the exercises smiling. Another one was going through the door for employees only. And really focusing on the person that you’re speaking with. As examples of three exercises, you want to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) one or two more. [***The Easiest Way to Negotiate a Higher Salary for Yourself***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-pH) Sure. One of the things that and this is just a, a silly thing, wear a BandAid on your face, like like right here, like right across your forehead, wear it all day, right? And embrace that sense that you go like people are looking at me, because you need to let go of the fact that people are thinking about you all the time. And that that matters. You know, I can remember being a teenager like I have a pimple it’s like, I can’t go out of the house. Why would that make any difference? Somebody Look at me go he’s got a pimple. It’s not permanent, but he clearly has a feminine, so what and so that the band aid makes you realize that your self consciousness is self administered and you want to defeat it. I actually I did this lecture to talking about Super Bowl this to about 500 high school kids. And they were really dialed in, it was really great. They were extremely receptive. And then after lunch, I came back from lunch. And five of the kids had band aids on their face. Right? And I said, and they were and other people like, Wait, did you get band aids? I want to do that. It was like they had some of they found like, you know, the, the the first aid kit in the, in the school and grab some band aids? And it was like, yes, yes, you’re getting it. So it’s just, it’s so you, you know, there’s so many insights that change how you do this. One is that people are not thinking about you anywhere near as much as you think they are. Who are they thinking about? themselves? That right? They go right, they think about you for three to eight seconds, and then they go back to their favorite subject. Right? So stop worrying about this so much. One of the exercises I have in the book is to make a list of all the people that you know, and rank on a scale of one to 10, how much their opinion should matter to you not how much it does, because you could be out of control? And how much you how much should it on a scale of one to 10. And I guarantee you, if there’s more than five people that rank 10, I would be amazed. And the rest of the people should be a one or a two, maybe a three, man whole bunch of them should be a zero. Right? Because whose you know, your mentor should matter to you, your spouse should matter to you, your your siblings should matter to you, your boss should matter to you. After that, why are you so worried about these people’s opinions of you? First of all, are they right about you? Are they are they taking a snapshot and they’re making a decision? I mean, people are judging people by social media, by the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) pictures they could possibly be posting of themselves. Or and even retouching them instead. And then going, Oh, I know this guy, you know, I just happen to meet people say, Oh, I met this actor, he was a total jerk. I said, Oh, really, you know that he’s a total jerk, because he didn’t say hi to you. So you understand him as a human being. Right? And you understand that deep down? He’s a jerk. Right? It’s like we do this. So why would you worry about that person’s opinion. When you learn to discard those opinions, you’re unstoppable. And folks, I want to translate this into [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a moment. Practicing this shift makes you more powerful on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). If you act like a sheep, on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), there’s other sheep with comparable skills that are going to come in and be interviewed. And if everyone is a sheep, there’s nothing for the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager to choose between. Pretty similar, but if you are magnificent, if you are super bold, yes, you’re cutting to the front of the line for a lot of people, some people you may overwhelm it happens. But the idea is you’re like a product. They put colors on these product boxes, right? Hey, doubt that the colors are designed to attract people, and your personality is the color in the commentary that’s gonna make you stand out from everyone else. Yeah, and and do you say, Oh, I don’t want to be too much. Oh, so you want to be not enough? Is that what you’re aiming for, I would rather be too much in some situations and be able to dial it back. That’d be not enough and never get a chance to dial it up. Because that’s what happens when you’re when you’re hesitating. When you know, hesitation is the opportunity killer. That’s, you know, in life in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). If you see somebody that could advance [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), now, they may not be able to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you or something like that. But you may be able to say, I’m really thinking of moving into you know, the the marketing department, you know, I know I’ve been in sales for a while but I feel like I could be in marketing. And I and I know you’re you’re the head of a marketing at this company. What qualifies? What would what does it take to qualify? How’d you get there? And you interrogate them? You go like, when did you know that you wanted to do it? What do you know? When did why did you feel like you had a grip on them? What what resources did you use? What are they going to think about you? They’re thinking? If I had a business I hired this guy, right or I hired this woman she’s she’s so curious about I’m getting better that I want to work in for me, or I’m going to the next time somebody says, because this happens to me all the time, too. I got three emails right now, do you know a person who does blank, right? Where I know somebody who needs one. That’s how 80% of the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) you’re going to get are going to come from those things. So it’s about did you make an impression? Did you seem intelligent, curious, interested? [Charismatic](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/), because that they’re going to remember you and they’re going to somebody says, I’m looking for, you know, somebody in my marketing department, I need somebody who’s willing to grow because I get a marketing director, she needs a right hand. And you go, I know exactly who that is. I met him two months ago. Let me find his name. You know, that’s what happens. It’s funny, because we talked about the smile at the beginning. What makes people think someone is self confident, a smile, a twinkle in the eyes, right? And if you’re deadly serious, you may be extremely competent. But is there anything for people to really attach to? Is there a likability factor? Other you’ve demonstrated great competence, obviously. But the smile, the twinkle, it shifts the conversation to human from the I’m going to hammer my knowledge into your head until it you’re the skull just explodes? Doesn’t work, does it? Well, you know, one of the things I talked about, I have a list of things of what not to do, when you’re doing social interaction. And I talked about some of that by, you know, playing top this, and you know, I get, I get a better story than you are trying to be funny. If you’re funny, be funny, occasionally, but again, that makes it a competition, somebody has got to be funnier than you, why not go. That’s the funniest thing I ever heard. Even if it isn’t, somebody let somebody else be funny. But the thing that that under confident people and shy people do is when somebody finally lets them talk, they unload, they go into a model, an unbroken stream, because they’re there. They’re not shy. They’re just hesitating. And when somebody finally lets them talk, they can’t stop. They’re like, they’re it’s it’s this stream of, of consciousness. And there’s no pause in between. It’s really hard to listen to somebody do. And it doesn’t make you interesting, it doesn’t matter how interesting what you say is, you didn’t give them a chance to say, oh, you know, tell me more about that. Or that’s interesting. Or, you know, I didn’t understand that, or I don’t, you didn’t check to see if they care, right? You didn’t notice that they were looking in three directions, and the whole time you’re talking, cuz you never took a break? The second you catch yourself monologuing you need you need to stop talking, and then say, I’m really passionate about that. You know, I’m sorry, I go on. But But tell me more about this trip to Rome, you were not immediately ask your question. And you’ll see the relief on their faces. ***[The Final Interview with the CEO](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5Nf)*** It’s so true, is relief. Fred, how can people find out more about you Super Bowl, your work? How can they connect with you? Okay, so Fred joyal.com is my website J OYAL? Yeah, thank you. So, and it’s, you know, just, you know, I have my name everywhere, and it’s my Facebook and my Instagram and all of that stuff. But the website is, is a place where you could find out a lot more about me and see, see, lectures I’ve done and articles that I’ve done. It’s also and if you want to order the, it’s gonna be on Amazon, of course, it’s it’s, it’s there. It’s in hardcover, it’s in audio, it’s me reading the audio, and it’s on Kindle as well. So it’s a digital form. And if you go to other media, like Barnes and Noble, it’s there too. So you can get it those three ways. If you don’t buy the book, the hardcover, you can go to the website, let’s say you got the Kindle or the audio version, you’re you’re listening on Audible, you want the exercises. So you can go to my website and download a [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) of the exercises. You can also go to my website and then and download the first chapter, if you want to do that. But I want you to physically have the exercises. And there’s also journaling that you’re going to do in the book. The book is about taking action. It is not a novel, it is not something to read for entertainment. It is about changing your life and that means you’re going to have to do stuff. And the journaling helps you and then The exercises are there. So for you to do step by step, and you’ll understand the pride method, and all these and power tools of communication. All of this stuff is is there in the book. So, Fred joyal.com, go to Amazon to buy the book. You can even book if you got a 30 if you need 30 minutes, because you go like, no, no, I really am shy, I can’t get out of the house. I can’t, I can’t look people in the eye, or whatever. Or you say, like I’m a CEO, and I can’t I need to interact with people and I I stink at it. I’ll do a half hour consultation with you just book it, go to my website and book. I’ll talk you off the ledge. I’ll get you out of the house. Excellent, Fred, this has been wonderful. Thank you. [***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/).![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg) [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Finding a New Job During an Economic Crisis***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-c34) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles **Tags:** being confident, bold, Charisma, charismatic, confident, developing confidence, Fred Joyal, superbold, under-confident --- ### [How to Build Unshakeable Career Confidence Through Action](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact mechanics of building career boldness, overcoming the fear of rejection, and shifting your mindset **Content:** # How to Build Unshakeable Career Confidence Through Action **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop waiting for a sudden burst of confidence before you apply for that next role or speak up in meetings. Confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a muscle that only grows when you lean into intentional discomfort and take risks. This episode breaks down the exact mechanics of building [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) boldness, overcoming the fear of rejection, and shifting your mindset from asking for permission to evaluating if a company is even worth your time. We’ve all felt that sudden spike of dread. Maybe it hits when staring at a blinking cursor, or right as your hand reaches for the handle of a corporate [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) room. That hesitation manifests in quiet, destructive ways: we avoid taking on new challenges, we suppress our actual professional needs, and we struggle to set healthy boundaries in the workplace. The data reveals how deep this [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) runs across demographics. Men typically apply for a job when they meet about 60% of the listed qualifications. Women, however, tend to wait until they hit 100%. This paralysis traps us because we’ve bought into a myth: we think we have to actually feel confident before we are allowed to take action. Researchers use a specific term for overcoming this: [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) search self-efficacy. As this chart shows, it is a measure of a person’s belief in their ability to perform [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) exploration activities. Look at the inputs: vicarious experiences and [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) management. This replaces the vague idea of confidence with something measurable. It proves that shyness isn’t a permanent trait or unchangeable identity. You behave shyly in certain moments, but it is a temporary, constructed state. Because it is constructed, confidence functions exactly like a biological muscle. It only grows and strengthens when it encounters deliberate resistance. To build that muscle, we have to start an action-first engine. That means abandoning a defensive fixed mindset, where your abilities feel set in stone, and adopting a highly adaptable growth mindset. In a growth mindset, failure is just data. When you encounter a gap in your knowledge, the internal dialogue shifts from a defeated “I don’t know” to a curious “I don’t know yet.” But a mindset shift isn’t enough on its own. You need a daily workout, which comes in the form of micro-risks. Try walking down the street and smiling at strangers. Keep doing it until someone doesn’t smile back. When that happens, you’ll realize the rejection is entirely harmless. You have no idea what kind of day they are having, and their reaction says nothing about you. Or, try walking confidently through an unlocked employees-only door. You do this to dismantle worst-case scenario thinking. Nobody is going to arrest you; most people will just assume you belong there. Surviving these tiny, daily micro-risks trains your nervous system. It creates a powerful new baseline of boldness that protects the brain against the fear of social rejection. There’s an assumption that to leverage this boldness and network effectively, you have to be the loudest, most extroverted person in the room. That is completely false. Consider Bill Clinton. In a crowded room of hundreds of people, his [charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) didn’t come from shouting over the noise; it came from locking onto one person at a time and giving them his absolute, undivided attention. [Introverts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-network-successfully-as-an-introvert-without-faking-it/) can easily leverage this exact strategy. Instead of feeling the exhausting pressure to perform or speak, you simply deploy deep, active listening. You ask targeted questions. If someone mentions a trip to Rome, you don’t jump in to top their story with your own; you ask what their favorite part of the trip was, making them feel like the most important person in the room. [Charisma](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) is the magnetic pull created when you exude genuine care and intense interest in the person standing right in front of you. Once you’ve mastered these social interactions, you have to push further. Your confidence will naturally decay if you stay inside your comfort zone, making stretch assignments the crucial antidote. You have to actively volunteer for tasks that slightly exceed your current capabilities. That is the only place where actual mastery is built. Pushing professional boundaries and claiming space before you’ve mastered it matches the trajectory of some of history’s most successful [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). The accumulation of these risks makes the final step possible: claiming your authenticity. When you sit down for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), you must reject the instinct to be a conformist just to appease the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. Adopt the internal mantra: “I belong everywhere.” Whether you are the least experienced person at the table or the most underdressed, you consciously reframe your right to occupy that room. Showing up authentically acts as a shield. If an employer rejects the real, unapologetic you, they have successfully filtered you out of a work environment where you never would have thrived anyway. The hesitant applicant who froze at the door becomes a candidate operating with super boldness. You stop asking for permission. Instead of begging someone for an opening, you are now evaluating if the company actually meets your standard. Ultimately, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) aren’t looking for flawless perfection or a robotic recitation of a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). They want to hire people who possess a twinkle in their eye, a genuine willingness to learn, and the unshakable courage to act. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching.![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg) ***[Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days](https://amzn.to/3h4xj32)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Finding a New Job During an Economic Crisis***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-c34) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Attitude/Mood, Career Angles, Success, Success Secrets **Tags:** How to Build Unshakeable Career Confidence Through Action --- ### [The Connector's Advantage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-connectors-advantage/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Connectors have many advantages, not simply in their job search but in their career overall. **Content:** # The Connector’s Advantage **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Connectors have many advantages, not simply in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) but in their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) overall. Michelle Tillis-Ledderman, the author of [The Connector’s Advantage](https://amzn.to/3qF9WAE) discusses how to become a connector and using it throughout your search and [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). BTW, she offers a bonus at the end of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for the purchase of the book ***[The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2)*** So my guest today is Michelle Tillis-Lederman, one of Forbes Top 25 [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) experts, and the author of four books, including the internationally known “The 11 Laws of Likeability” and her latest, “The Connectors Advantage,” which is what we’re going to be focusing on today. She’s a connection creator and CEO of Executive Essentials, which provides customized communications and leadership programs for Fortune 500 firms and other substantial organizations. And she’s appeared on a host of different networks,. NBC, CBS, Fox, NPR, The New York Times CNBC, the usual suspects. Michelle, thanks for making time today. I really appreciate it. How are you? Good, Jeff, [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to be here. I’m glad; it’d be terrible if you weren’t [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to be here. So connector. What’s a connector and why do we care about that? I love that question. A connector is simply somebody who prioritizes relationships in everything that they do, in all of their interactions, professional, personal, across the board, the relationship comes first. And that’s a really simplistic way of thinking about a connector. But why we care is because connectors have an advantage in whatever it is they’re working on. Whether it’s a new job or promotion, getting a client, you know, even health and happiness. You are going to get there faster, easier and better as a connector. And that’s what the advantage is faster, easier, better results. I mean, we don’t have to do it the hard way. You know, I tell a story in the beginning of the book about how some things have happened for me. And I really people go ‘you’re are so lucky.’ I’m like, I’m not. I’m not lucky. I’m a connector. And it’s those relationships that enable things to happen. Tell us the story of how it happen for you? Well, I think one of the stories I tell is, is when I got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), right after 9/11, you know, with the rest of the world, you know, and I was doing great. I had great reviews, it was just everything was getting slashed left and right. And so it was a Monday. I got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) Tuesday. I cleaned out my desk.. I called my friend from Business School. He said, “Come work here.” I mean, I wasn’t calling for a job, I was calling to say, ‘hey, let’s go out and get a drink because I just got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/).’ And his response was come work here. And that was on a Tuesday, I went to his office Wednesday. I met with his boss on Thursday, I started the following Monday. I know for me, when I worked in search, so many of the [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) I got to institutions came about as a result of a relationship with one person who got to know, like, trust and respect me for what I could do for them. And they said, “oh, by the way, have you ever spoken with so and so? Let me put to the two of you together?” Yep. And you know, the thing is that a lot of companies have internal [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) programs where, if you are working for a company and you bring somebody in, you [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) them in, you actually get the commission rather than a recruiting firm because they trust the people that are already there to know who would be successful there. So it’s actually not just to your advantage to make those connections.. It’s to their advantage as well. And 85% of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) at any level are coming from [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). I find that one stunning, because the number. I’ve always heard was 70. I knew [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) had upped it to 85. And it doesn’t surprise me. And I think what’s fascinating is also in the original number of 70, of the 70%, 70% of them (or 49% in total) came as a result of introductions to people that your network knew who you didn’t. Yeah. And it’s the executive level, that number goes even higher– 90+% at the executive level. You’re not getting the big ticket [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) unless you know someone. It’s the original social proof. You know, in The Stone Ages when I started in recruiting, it used to be “the old boys club.” And the old boys would all know one another. They went to the same schools, and they referred one another. There’s a Women’s Club as well now, but more importantly, there are ways that we can connect with people in order to develop those relationships and impressions.. So there’s lots of different ways of being a connector. What do you recommend for people when you coach someone at an executive level? How do you train them to be an effective conector? So, what I talk about are the seven mindsets of the connector. And I’ll list them out;you can choose whichever ones you want to focus on. But these are the mindsets that help enable you to prioritize relationships. So we are an “open and accepting” connectors have a clear vision, connectors believe in abundance, they trust, they’re social and curious, they’re conscientious, and they have a generous spirit. Versus the non-connector personalities who are miserly in so many different ways. Clutch, hold on to, rather than be generous, it’s the opposite of abundance is scarcity.. And that’s really one that people focus on a lot, because especially in the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), there’s this scarcity mindset. “I need,” and I need to protect. I shouldn’t tell anybody this, and somebody’s going to take this out from under me.” You know, we take these very defensive protective stances. And I understand it, scarcity is tangible, right? It makes sense. I understand scarcity, probably better than anybody else. And I tell the story in my book about kind of growing up with scarcity. And it’s a shift not to say everything’s fine.. It’s a shift to say, I believe in the possibility of being better. I believe that there’s enough to go around. And so I take a mindset of ‘I don’t have competitors, I have a lot of strategic partners, or alliances.’ And if I am, you know, going after a job, and I don’t get it, what I would do at that point would say, “You know, tell me what, you know, what it was that I didn’t have? Maybe there’s somebody I know, right? Or where do you think I would [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) fit in in this organization. Because sometimes, you weren’t [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for the right job, but there’s some somebody else that you’d be great for. And you might get referred, you know, to that other person. But also, if you build that relationship, and you help them find somebody else, you do favors. That generous spirit that we’re talking about, of giving, then you’ve built two strong relationships. And you know what? When we think about connecting, we’re not in a short term perspective. We’re thinking long term, you don’t know where they’re going next. You know, you don’t know who else they know who’s looking. And so it is really about a non-linear spirit. Right? It’s not ‘I give you. You give me. and one of the fun places where people really wrestle with this, I know is when they talk to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), it’s all about me get me in the door. And even when they’re not able to because there’s a skills deficiency or some knowledge about you that makes them not interested or some other reason, is reluctance to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) for fear that fill in the blank the thousands of different fields. And I think that’s probably the biggest inhibitor to why people are reluctant to be connectors. Is that what you say? I don’t know, if people are reluctant to be connectors, I think it is that that sometimes that scarcity mindset takes over. Sometimes it’s that they don’t have a clear vision, right. That’s why there are seven mindsets, and they enable each other. It’s hard to have a generous spirit if you don’t have a mindset of abundance, right? And it’s hard to get the advantage of faster, easier, better results if you don’t have a clear vision of what you’re going for. The difference between a connector and a networker doesn’t sound radically different, except networkers seem to be more transactional versus connectors have a mindset that it comes with being a networker. I’ve always hated the word [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). It has the word work in it. Like who wants to do it? You know? And, and my, my publisher said, I had to use the word [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) in my first book because it was for SEO. And so when my brother in law came in my office, I was finishing up “The Connector’s Advantage,” and he’s like, ‘Oh, another book on [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/).’ Like, no, no, this book is on connecting.. He’s like, ‘well, what’s the difference?’ And I looked up at him. And I was like, ‘that’s a great question.’ And I thought about for a second, I said, ‘well, [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is something you do. But a connector is who you are.’ And I think that’s the mindset difference that. I want people to take away is that oftentimes, when we think about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), we’re flipping a switch, we’re buying, okay, ‘I now go to this [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) event. All right, now, I’m going to hand out cards, and I’m going to do this thing,’ right? Versus a connector is always in the mindset of the relationship, and of connecting to others. And, you know, it could be on the playground, it could be you when you’re volunteering for something it could be when you’re running at the park. I mean, I met somebody at the dog park and ended up [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) her. Fabulous. So let’s talk about these mindsets, and give people a sense of where they might fit in, into these attitudes. And maybe we can talk about how you can grow into a next level mindset from that position. That good with you? And what you just said actually made me think of the connector spectrum. And it might be helpful for us to explain kind of the levels of connector, because you were saying grow into, you know, and one of the things that. I want people to recognize is probably everybody who’s listening to your show is already at some level on the connector spectrum. They’re not non connectors, right? That’s a very rare breed of people who don’t value or believe in the value of relationships who are really just kind of recklessly, right? At a minimum, people are emerging, right? They’re emerging connectors, they see the value, but they’re not really competent in their skills, not really employing those skills, yet those mindsets, then we have the responsive connector. So when your responses Connect, or people are asking you for introductions, people are asking you to connect, people are asking you for favors, and you are responding. Right? So you are actively responding. But it’s only when somebody else is doing the initiation.. If you want to get to the acting connector level, and this is a great target group for most people, you want to start initiating as well don’t just respond, but initiate be thinking, How can I help this person be thinking? Who would they want to connect with? be thinking, who do I want to connect with, and who can help me connect with those people. So being a little more proactive, and initiating will get you to that acting level? Now, I’m gonna pause you there for one second, because I want to work with with this one, since this is the one that you consider the initial aspirational category. So put me in that position. I’m attempting to connect,. I’m a coach, I help people find work. I do [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). So I help with transitions for people. And if you are encouraging me to be a more effective connector, let’s assume that all I’m doing is waiting for the email to come in from someone who wants help. That sounds like a lot of you, folks. What could I do differently, As the coach or the candidate. I’m going to be the candidate trying to find additional situations. Alright. So as a candidate, what you want to be thinking about is, you know, look at some technical things that you can do is to continue to support and nurture the network that you have and expand, right. So if we are just being in that responsive acting level, then we’re really focusing on the network that we have, and making sure that it is, is strong. So I want you to maybe spend 15 minutes a week on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). Find five new connections a week. Send five notes to people that you already connect with, engage with them on social media. That’s one place you can do it. Maybe make five phone calls a week. Maybe send five emails a week. So it’s just you don’t have to do big things. But like yesterday, something popped into my head and. I immediately texted her saying, I’m thinking about you. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.. And then we got into a text chain. You know, somebody emailed me after 15 years, and we got on the phone for an hour and a half. So, it is about not being [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) to do that reach out, you know, and to just, you know, make those new connections on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) are great, too. But I want you to make sure that you’re nurturing the network that you have, and I want you to always do this. Ask this question in whatever you’re doing. What are you working on? You know, how can I help? You know, where’s your focus right now? Or who do you want to connect with? Any one of those questions, is going to tap into your generous spirit and your willingness and desire to add value to somebody else. And when you do that, the connection strengthens, and it extends. So some of you, as you were talking about this, you reminded me of someone I knew many years ago, the first woman commodities broker dealer, Merrill Lynch, I say the old Merrill Lynch, pre financial collapse. And she had an audio tape, you know, a little cassette tape of the top performers at Merrill Lynch at a junket in Hawaii, that used to happen, and they have a speaker coming to talk to them. And he said, I want to teach you how to increase your book by seven to 10% in three seconds. Is there anything else I can be doing to help you? That was the simplest question in the world, and really was about service and about help? It wasn’t saying any more business? It wasn’t transactional in that way. It was just the friendly question. Designed to deepen the relationship a little bit more. Yeah. And, and I don’t want to get sidetracked.. I want to take your time. But I do want you to be able to answer that question as well.. Right? I want you to pose it, but I want you to have an answer for it. And that’s that clear vision, right? Because somebody might say, Oh, thank you so much for asking, what about you? How can I help you? And if you don’t have Oh, no, no, no, no, that’s not what we’re trying to do either. Right. You can have an answer. You can say, Well, you know, right now I’m focused on connecting to people this industry or, you know, I am really thinking about the job with this company, and would love to talk to somebody know anybody who works there. And I think we all know relationships.. Come out of give and take. But it starts with a gift. Yeah. And it’s give without expectation. But if they invite the question, make sure you have an answer. So we’ve covered two of the spectrum because you repeat the first two again. So everyone has a non connector, emerging connector to responsive connector all the way up to the first target, which is acting connector. And that might be as far as people need to get, the further up the spectrum you go, the faster easier, better the results can be. So you know, it’s not I am a what you call a global superconductor. So I got a job in literally three days after I got, you know, cleaned out my desk, that’s rare. When we start to think about two other levers we can pull one is the depth of our connections. So how deep in a geographic region an industry that function? Can we go? Right? somebody knows, Oh, she knows everybody in town, or she knows everybody in media, or my sister knows everybody in, you know, that’s an HR professional, or whatever it might be. So having that depth in a certain area, that’s called a nice connector. When you start to have breath, that’s when you are a super connector.. So the breath could be up and down the ladder across demographics, geographics. function.. Industry, right, so you got a guy, right, you always know somebody. That’s that super connector. And when you know people beyond your country’s borders, then you’re a global super connector. I love these descriptions. And I’m gonna back up to the niche connector. Because thinking of my own background in search, where I have specific expertise, that becomes a nice connector, someone who has in depth knowledge around some subject that allows the subject is the people in that subject. Right.. And you are definitely thank you, and specifically around [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) now, and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, but again, different conversation, and that we elevate to get in breath. And how does someone become more expansive, when they’ve been? I don’t wanna say siloed.. But they’ve self created the silo. I love that. And this is so important right now. And you know, I wrote this book about it, you know, it came out over a year ago.. And it is probably more relevant right now than ever, because the last section of the book is called expanded, diversify your connections. And I talked about how to be an inclusive connector. And with the social unrest, and with the polarization of our country, it is so important to think about how do we expand and diversify because when you have diversified thought, you actually make better decisions, you make more innovative decisions, you make faster decisions, when you are open to other ideas, and you have that relationship, you are seen as more innovative, more credible, more trustworthy. So yes, it’s so important.. And by the way, before I forget, I have a quiz. So people can take a little quiz, you’ll put it in the show notes, to figure out what level they are. So they know how to get up to that next level. So if you are thinking about that expansion, how to be inclusive, there’s certain mindsets just in that, but you want to make sure that you are putting yourself in places to be social curious, and the mindset with people that are different than you. And one of the tips is to have a host mindset, wherever you are, whether it’s in person or online, have a host mindset, invite others into the conversation, especially those that might not be using their voice for those that might not look like everybody else, or those that might have been there for the first time. So by making other people comfortable by inviting them in, I have a friend another author, he says that every time he goes to a conference, he looks for the person who looks the most out of place goes over and introduces himself and asks if they’ll sit with him. And I just love that it’s just simple little things to to, you know, and he doesn’t because I think he’s always felt like the unicorn, and he wants other unicorns to feel, you know, part of the group. But you know, I love the idea of just looking for somebody who you don’t normally get to talk to. And I remember the days when we couldn’t meet in person. Remember back in the old days when we actually met in person? One of the . . . one of the classic scenarios was, you know, you’re at some version of the conference, whether you’re the speaker or just another attendee, having a host mindset might be walking over to that one person at the large table seated by themselves and sitting down next to them.. But first asking, “Can I put my plate down for a second?” Or “can I get something for you” as part of the simple question that starts the conversation that allows you to break the ice with someone. Because they can say, “Oh, I’m saving that!” Okay, fine. But it opens up a door to conversation with someone who you don’t know, and allows them to feel comfortable with you. I love the smile on your face. I love that you said that because I have a story. And it was, I don’t know, maybe two years ago or something like that. I was at the National Speakers Association Conference. It’s like 1500 people, a huge conference hall.. I . . . you know, it can be very overwhelming. And it’s probably the first time I had gone in years. And I, I saw this woman sitting alone at a table eating lunch. And I walked over and I said, “Nobody should be eating alone. Can I join you?” And she said, “Absolutely.”. I sat down and we started chatting. Turns out this woman was sitting alone because she was tired of being bombarded by everybody. Because she was the founder of TEDx. When she told me that, you know, 20, 30 minutes into a conversation, I was like, Okay, I’m like, “Oh, looks like you wanted to be alone.”. And at one point, somebody who knows me took a picture of us from another table. She was holding my hand. And he sent me a text going, “How do you do it, Michelle?” And she said to me, she said, “You know, I was [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to have lunch with you, because you came over for me. You didn’t come over for you.” And there, folks is huge takeaway. If you haven’t caught this yet, pay attention. It’s give first, care first. I had no idea who she was. I just didn’t want to see somebody eating alone. And I, you know, wanted to give them company. And I love her.. We’re still friends. We talk about kids, it’s, you know, Perfect, absolutely perfect. And notice, folks, this isn’t hard. It’s about caring about other people, and having conversations with them, about where they are and not about, “I need, I need.” And going back to that miserly spirit that I spoke about earlier of being (I’m going to use the New York term that if you want me to translate, folks, I’ll do that\_ the mooch. There is something about that I think of it as being hungry. I know that when you’re in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), sometimes you feel hungry. And that could be a literal hunger. And that could be a figurative hunger. But it’s, it can kind of feed that desperation and feeds that scarcity mindset. And this feeds, you call it the moocher, the miser, I just want you to think about that, that focus on what you’re full of, right?. When you focus on the fullness of what you have and what you’re grateful for. And when we practice gratitude, that actually helps us embody the mindset of abundance. And, you know, this has been a really challenging year. I mean, God, you know, 2020 has not been easy for anybody, even if your business is doing well, it’s still been a difficult year socially, emotionally. We’ve all had losses, we’ve all given up things that were important to us this year. And so, you know, when we think about practicing gratitude, it’s, it’s a shift.. It is going like, “Oh, you know, my son had to do his Bar Mitzvah virtually. Oh, we had to cancel this vacation. Oh, right. Or I can say, Oh, my God, I am so grateful every day, that my kids are old enough to manage homeschooling. I’m so grateful that I have my dogs that cuddle me, I’m so grateful that we have a deck outside, but that we can sometimes work outside and get fresh air. And so, like, I mean, I just couldn’t list list, I can fill up your whole half hour with things that I’m grateful for. And so it’s an idea of focusing on that will enable you to try to start to reach that mindset of abundance, because that really is going to flip a switch for you and how you interact and how you connect. Folks, it’s kind of like opening up from a clenched fist to an open hand. And being Likr a hug. I’m starting with baby steps. We work up to the hug. If someone’s that has a closed fist, we’re not getting into a hug instantly. But we start the small steps that change things. Like any change, it’s a new habit. Try it, see what works. See what doesn’t work. Experiment. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? You’re going to be back in the same position anyway. But you might not be. And I give a lot of practical to do’ss and what I call mindset missions in the book so that they can implement the concepts. You got one you’re willing to share tonight.. Come on, Michelle. Sure. So, one of the mindsets. You know, one of the I guess, arguments people always get is “I don’t have the time, especially now.. Like I’ve got the homeschooling. I got the blah blah. I get it. I really, really get it. It’s my my major excuse, as well. But there’s a lot of underutilized time in our life. And I’m not talking about downtime. I want people to have their downtime, their relaxation time, absolutely protect it. But you know, when we were commuting, and some people still are, that’s kind of underutilized time, when we’re in food coma, right. So there are certain [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) levels of the day that go up and down. When you push yourself in a down [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), you’re not productive. So when, you know, you have down [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), and I know after lunch, I’m like, Ah, you know, I’m dragging, that’s a really great time to clean up your email to send a few notes, Fridays, from four to 5pm is the least productive hour of the workweek. That could be your hour for connecting, right? So it is, think about the things that you already do. So, for example, I said, I could take my dog to the dog park, right?. I might invite somebody to go to dog park with me, I go to the gym. I’ve had meetings at the gym, or at the diner after the gym because I have to eat breakfast anyway. I’ve had business meetings, getting my nails done. So if you think about the things that you’re doing already, invite somebody to do them with you. And you find underutilized time. There’s so many different ways and places that people can experiment with this, even during COVID and all the other justifications.. That’s the polite way of saying rationalizations that people use to not be connected. Now I’m curious, during these times are, it’s a little bit harder. Do you have one suggestion that people can implement, since they can’t necessarily tag along with someone or have some tag along with them to have. One suggestion you might have for folks. I don’t think it’s harder, necessarily. It might be a little harder for new people. But I think it’s actually the reason because people always say, “I don’t have any reason to reach out.” Well, yes, you do. Just say, How have you been holding up? How you doing? How is your holiday? How are you feeling?” I mean, anything like that. Thinking about you. But that’s all you need to do. So it’s really easy right now. And I will say that, you know, we have a group in my town, and we we have one guy who is like the cruise director, right, from The Love Boat. I’m dating myself, but that’s okay. And he has done a 80s, 90s trivia night. And now we’re doing a game night. And we’ve done birthday dinners. And I’ve had people in my backyard meetings to warm it up, college reunions and high school and business school and, and so it’s kind of like everybody wants that right now. So it’s really easy to say, “hey, let’s do this.”Create something.. Pick a date. Invite people. And even if it’s online, people show up. Yeah, you know, I walked into the excuse scenario, in posing it as being harder. I know, for me, I’m talking to lots of people. And, as we’re recording this, it’s the last day of November 2020. And we’re entering or have just entered, the pre Christmas run up, which historically is the easiest time of the year.. People are more generous. Start with people who you can text who you haven’t spoken with in a while. Reach out. Do that. “Hi, how are you? How are you holding up” conversation.. Expand it, as Michelle has suggested, and you know, reconnect, and then don’t let it go fallow. So what haven’t we covered yet that we really need to focus. In your typical, direct to the point, fast paced manner, we’ve covered a lot over what what haven’t we covered that we really should? You know, one of the things I want to circle back to because I know we talk a lot about the job. But one of the things about the connection advantage, it also impacts your health and happiness. And I don’t want that doesn’t get lost, because I think that’s also something that’s impacting people a lot right now. And social isolation is an epidemic in this country, and has been so amplified by social distancing and quarantine and COVID. And there’s a greater impact to your mortality, for being socially isolated than there is to smoking 15 cigarettes a day for 10 years, and equal to obesity, right? So, eat all you want smoke all you want, but make sure that you’re out there being social, you know, and so, social isolation is not the right word. We have physical isolation, but we don’t need to have social isolation. So, you know, when we think about happiness, one of the studies, it was a Gallup study on engagement, showed there’s 12 questions that really directs to whether or not you have an engaged employee. One of those questions is do you have a [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend at work? When you have close work relationships, your productivity is increased, your happiness is predicted. I mean, there is a 50% increase in that productivity.. So if you want to be happier if you want to be healthier, just get connected. And folks, it starts with courage. Because for many of you, you’re frightened to do it as though some Boogey Man is going to come out and get you. They aren’t. Just take the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/), follow the other person’s lead.. You’ll get there. Take time, take more steps. And I’ve loved this [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Michelle, how can people find out more about you, the work that you do, I know I’m gonna have the link to the quiz in the show notes. But talk with folks about the book, how they can get it.. And the special feature, I actually do have a book special. So the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) place to find and connect with me is starting on my website, which is MichelleLederman.com.. So go there. And from there, you can get everywhere else. So you can look into me, you can find my YouTube, I do video series, I call them [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) shorties and four foot 10. We won’t talk about that. So it’s a play on height, as well as the length of the videos. I have a blog, lots of free content there. If you join my community, you will get a video series, you’ll get free chapters from the book, you’ll get different assessments all for free. That’s right on the main page of my website. But I’m also doing a book special. And I want people to have the gift of connection. So I want you to be able to gift this book of connection to somebody else. I put in a signed copy, a personalized note, a bookmark and a cute little package and I ship it off as a gift from you. You can get that. And you’ll see below at my website slash gift-of-connection or something like that. But the link will be in the show notes. Yes, it will. And Michelle, this has been wonderful. Thank you. And folks, we’ll be back soon with more I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as you well know by now. Visit my website, the big game hunter.us there’s a lot there to help you as well. Michelle and I have different themes to the work that we do. She’s great around [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), I think I do a pretty good job too. But I have a lot more than just simply that. So, visit the blog, go exploring. Thousands of posts. Also, I encourage you– my class on Udemy, the book on Amazon,, The Ultimate Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Framework. Both are available; they’re both terrific. They will help you [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) far better than you would without.. And, lastly, connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/TheBigGameHunter. Mention that you saw the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I like knowing I’m helping some folks. Right? And once we’re connected, I’m going to stay connected to you. Hope you have a terrific day and most importantly, be great. Take care. [***The Missing Ingredient in Your Interviews (Branding, Resumes, Networking)***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-i9K) [![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/networking12-envato-300x247.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/networking12-envato.jpg) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **.[*A Marketing Approach to Job Search*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI)** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Asking for Directions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1Ul) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** The Connector's Advantage --- ### [High School Grads, College Grads #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-high-school-grads-college-grads-2/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six-second job search tip for students. **Content:** # 6 Second Job Search Tips: High School Grads, College Grads #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/9Cy3A0Gs6dY) A six-second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tip for students. 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Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, College Grads **Tags:** College Grads, High School Grads --- ### [Always Do Your Best | #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A simple quote from Og Mandino to remind us why we should. **Content:** # Always Do Your Best | #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/407atxVZWvQ) A simple quote from Og Mandino to remind us why we should. [***Decisions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6D) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) podcasts with more than 3000 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts** ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. ![Always do your best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Always-do-your-best-1-1024x1024.png) **Categories:** #Shorts, No B. S. Coaching Advice, Quotes **Tags:** Always do your best, Do your best, Og Mandino, Og Mandino quotes --- ### [Complementing the Resume with Visual Proof](https://thebiggamehunter.us/complementing-the-resume-with-visual-proof/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Complementing the Resume with Visual Proof **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** For decades, [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) relied on a universally accepted currency: the text-based [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). People listed their past responsibilities using action verbs, bullet points, and high-level summaries of their responsibilities. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) skimmed these documents for keywords, and [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) parsed the text to find a match. But text is no longer an indicator of human capability. The rise of advanced generative [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) models means that anyone can generate a highly polished, grammatically perfect [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) in seconds. When everyone possesses a flawless, keyword-optimized CV, the distinction between genuine expertise and a well-engineered prompt completely evaporates. Because text has become so heavily saturated, the talent market is experiencing a profound shift. The traditional [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is no longer enough to win on its own. In its place, professionals are leveraging **Visual Proof** and **Artifact Blueprints**—tangible, un-fakeable evidence of work delivered—to stand out and validate their experience. ## The Strategic Shift: Proof of Execution The concept of visual proof moves the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) conversation away from what people *claim* they can do and forces it onto what they have *already executed*. In a market defined by tight [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) budgets and intense talent competition, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are no longer buying potential; they are buying proof. In a traditional [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) pipeline, people rely entirely on text claims that must pass through an automated [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) filter, where they risk being discarded alongside thousands of identical submissions. Conversely, leading with a visual artifact sent directly to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) stakeholder allows a person to bypass the automated gates and secure an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). An artifact blueprint is a highly specific, downloadable or clickable record of human output. Depending on the industry, this can range from a redacted financial model or a workflow automation schema to a recorded screen-share video breaking down a complex problem. The goal is to provide immediate, scannable context that demonstrates human judgment, problem-solving methodologies, and technical execution. ## Visual Proof in Action: Real-World Case Studies To understand how this dynamic functions in highly competitive environments, consider the execution strategies used by two people who completely bypassed traditional [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) pipelines by leading with their proof. ### Case Study 1: The Product Strategy Blueprint Sarah, a mid-career Product Manager, spent months [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to technology companies through standard job boards. Despite having an immaculate [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), her submissions were consistently caught in the initial automated screening filters, or she found herself competing against hundreds of identical text-based profiles. Recognizing that [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) were fatigued by text-heavy descriptions of “cross-functional leadership,” Sarah stopped [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to open listings entirely. Instead, she built a dynamic [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) using a text-first database structure on Notion. She identified ten target companies and built an explicit **Product Improvement Blueprint** for each. Instead of explaining her product discovery process in text, she embedded actual artifacts from her previous work: - A live, interactive Figma prototype showing her user-experience architecture. - An embedded Miro board displaying her multi-variable roadmap prioritization framework. - A redacted product requirement document (PRD) demonstrating how she aligns technical constraints with business [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/). Sarah sent a direct, personalized link to this Notion repository to the product directors at her target companies. By putting the artifacts upfront, she visually demonstrated her product sense before an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) was ever scheduled. Within two weeks, she secured three direct [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers who completely bypassed the corporate recruitment gatekeepers. ### Case Study 2: The “Home Lab” Technical Walkthrough David wanted to transition into a highly technical cybersecurity role, but faced a major barrier: his background was non-traditional, and his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) lacked the pedigree or enterprise names required to clear the standard corporate [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) threshold. David knew that simply listing certifications on a piece of paper would not distinguish him from thousands of other people trying to break into the industry. He decided to leverage the **Deployment Method** to make his technical execution completely undeniable. To bridge the gap, David constructed a physical enterprise environment in his home using cloud instances to simulate real-world security incidents. This home lab served as a live staging ground where an incoming attack would trigger real-time logs and [alerts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-alerts-3/) on his SIEM monitoring dashboard. He then used screen-recording software to capture brief, 60-second walkthrough videos of his execution. In these videos, he didn’t just talk about security; he shared his screen to show himself actively configuring a server, analyzing a live log file, and mitigating a simulated network breach. He hosted these micro-videos on a clean [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) page and embedded the links directly into the top third of his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) profile. When a local technical director clicked the link, they didn’t see a list of bullet points—they saw someone actively demonstrating enterprise-level troubleshooting. David was hired over people with superior academic credentials because his visual proof eliminated the risk of a bad hire. ## Designing Your Own Artifact Strategy Implementing a visual proof strategy requires shifting your mindset from that of a standard applicant to that of an active [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/). If you want to integrate this approach into your current [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), map your past outcomes into concrete, external resources. - **The Value Ledger:** Begin maintaining a daily ledger of your professional outputs. Track specific data points, dashboard screenshots, and system architectures that show your distinct operational contributions. - **The Explainer Snippet:** Identify a highly complex problem you solved in a past role. Use a screen-recording tool to create a concise, under-two-minute video breaking down the architecture of that solution. - **The Redacted Case Study:** Take a complex business asset you previously authored—whether it is a marketing campaign breakdown, a project schedule, or a workflow audit—and redact any sensitive corporate data. Turn it into a downloadable [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) that acts as a blueprint of your execution. Ultimately, the market will continue to move away from unverified claims. In a landscape where text is cheap and easily replicated, the people who succeed will be those who stop telling companies what they can build, and start showing the blueprints of what they have already executed. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) resolving workplace issues. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Complementing the Resume with Visual Proof --- ### [Job Search Resilience And Being Solid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-resilience-and-being-solid/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This interview with Stuart McCalla of Evolution was a thoughtful conversation about many different emotional subjects related to job search starting with resilience. **Content:** # **Job Search Resilience And Being Solid** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ## Job Search Resilience And Being Solid **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** This [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with Stuart McCalla of Evolution was a thoughtful conversation about many different emotional subjects related to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) starting with [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/). [***Roadblocks. Perseverance. Adversity. Resilience. Determination.***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gRJ) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 00:04 So my guest today is Stuart McCalla. Stuart has worked in tech and in some of the most well known companies in the country. He’s a managing partner at Evolution, a [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) culture and leadership development firm. And Stuart has taken his life lessons and professional lessons and woven them into a [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) culture he provides to clients. Stuart. Welcome. Thanks for making time today. **Stuart McCalla** 00:33 Thank you, Jeff, thank you for having me. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 00:36 It is my pleasure. So folks, we’re gonna be talking about a bunch of things. But I think it really is gonna start off with talking about [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). So when we think about [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/), Stuart, why is it important to people to be resilient through their search **Stuart McCalla** 00:57 Well, a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), especially in this day, and age can be a brutal thing. Most people experience job searches as not a pleasant experience. **Stuart McCalla** 00:57 Exactly. Even maybe a little bit worse than that, right? It’s it can be a really intense. And more so because a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) people put their worth attached to their job. And so getting a no or [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) can be really intense for folks. And so, crafting or cultivating a sense of [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) is going to help you be more successful in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and be able to navigate the nuances, the weirdness, the rejections, the highs, the lows of any [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) that anybody’s engaging with. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 01:06 It’s up there with root canal **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 01:13 So some people think of [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) as having one definition. I want to make sure the audience understands your definition of [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/), How would you define it for them. **Stuart McCalla** 01:53 It’s a great question. You know, [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) for me is multi layer, but it really is the idea of knowing who you are. And not being knocked around or not your sense of who yourself is not being shaped by the forces around you. And that you’re able to [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) to the situation around you still stays true to who you are. So [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) is not ‘I can overcome anything’ because anybody can overcome anything and change who they are to overcome that thing. If you’re resilient, if you are adaptable, if you are sure of who you are, then nothing’s gonna knock you off your pedestal or knock you off your balance basically. Right. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 02:38 It’s so funny and, folks, if you’re listening to this in podcast form, Stuart presented that sentence, that definition, solid. Firm. There was a quality in his speech and in his manner, that he was unmovable. **Stuart McCalla** 03:00 Yeah, thanks. Thanks for that. But that’s many years of dealing with, you know, job searches and clients and, you know, knowing who you are, getting to the heart of who you are in any [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [Job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is going to be almost like personal self development. You’re going to struggle. So as you can imagine, it’ll, it’s a crucible that refines you. And so seeking a job or getting a job and a job that you want. Think of it as a crucible, think of it as a passage for you to go through and enjoy it that way. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 03:36 It’s so funny, because, you know, having worked in search for as many years as I did, I spoke to 1000s and 1000s of people who were basically like fish in a pond, trying to jump on whatever hook got thrown in the water for them. And that sense of certainty about who they are and what they want was non-existent. I needed a job, any job. Any job became their manner. And thus anyone meeting with them will get that sense of [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and desperation that so many people have as they engage in that [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)? **Stuart McCalla** 04:22 Yeah. And, you know, I think it’s not very useful to adopt that stance of desperation, [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And I want to just say an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), I know that people have are desperate and anxious because the world you know, if you’re having a job and you’ve got like two kids, and you know, you may be the only breadwinner or maybe one of two and you need that income, it can feel very defeating and [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) producing. So what can you do under [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) and how do you learn to deal with [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/)? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 04:57 You anticipated my next question. That’s perfect. We had to do a segue at some point. **Stuart McCalla** 05:05 Great Minds, right? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 05:07 Or something like that. So how do you start developing that sense of [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/)? **Stuart McCalla** 05:13 Yeah. So I’ll tell you what I did iand everyone is going to be a little bit different. But the first thing I did was I made sure to collect people around me who were mentors and guides. And you’d be surprised a lot of folks will say, ‘Well, you know, in getting a job, I don’t need a mentor.’ I’m like, actually probably do. A mentor is going to be able to tell and be a voice of reason for you. You’re going to be telling, they’re going to be able to tell you, ‘hey, maybe you shouldn’t do it this way.’ Or ‘have you thought about a different way,’ or ‘this is my experience.’ And having that information come in, that you can process, analyze, and then move on. And use is super useful. And many people really want to be mentors, you’d be surprised a lot of folks who have said to me, ‘Well, I don’t know any mentors,’ I’m like, ‘well go ask your old boss,’ if you have a good relationship with that person. Go ask somebody in your field. Do an informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). You might not be able to get the person that you want, but they might pass you on to somebody else that might become a become a mentor. So that’s one first, that’s the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/), I think **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 06:18 I’m going to add it into one thing have or [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a coach to work with you. **Stuart McCalla** 06:24 Well, I mean, I’ll just say, you know, I’ve . . . **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 06:27 and the same issues with [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) exists with mentors. They’re very good coaches. And there are some really infantile baby coaches, talking about the [dream job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/14-tips-for-landing-your-dream-job-from-experts/) with wonder. You know, it’s childish advice that you get from them, because they don’t know. **Stuart McCalla** 06:47 Well, I think, you know, the coaches is, we’ll go off a little bit of a tangent here. But the coaches who I think are most profound, have done their own work. So they know where they stand in the world. And so coaches, the coaches that I’ve seen, and I’m hoping I can count myself one of them. But it’s not for me to say. It’s for my clients, and for the people who interact with me that when I do my own work, I show up differently. And so the same thing with a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). If you do your own work, if you investigate the things about yourself that people have said, sometimes you’d make do in the job, or if you have a practice by which you are journaling, and you’re reflecting on your [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and see the highs and lows that are happening within your life. There’s a lot of community, that can be some weird ones, so but if you if you join a community of people who are doing similar work, I mean, be careful, I think I’ll just let’s just say that, right. But if you join a community of people who are doing that work as well, too, you then develop and have that skill reflected back to you, that sort of self-exploration. You know, deep dive within yourself. And it’s not something you do every day. But as you do, a little bit, it’s it’s funny. I just got done with a weightlifting class. And I’m 51 years old, and weightlifting was not my thing for a long time. But what I loved about it was it is an incremental developmental skill. And the same thing with a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). It’s an incremental developmental skill, and building that [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) in that system around you is incremental, and developmental,. It’s not going to happen overnight. It takes a little bit of time. So develop that time and be deliberate about it. I remember writing notes. I still look at my notes from when I was looking for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), and I wrote notes on everything that I happened in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). What did i . . . What did I learn? What did I like? What did I not like? Why did I not like about that person? What was my experience? Like, ask yourself questions after [every job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-do-after-every-job-interview-shorts/). And you’ll see over time a pattern developing and that’s what you want. [***Resilience, Not Worry***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bPv) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 08:56 Absolutely true. And, you know, for so many people, they think they’re supposed to figure out things by themselves. **Stuart McCalla** 09:06 That’s right. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 09:07 I’m an adult, I should know. That’s the shorthand for ‘I can do this by myself. I should be able to do this by myself.’ And I always ask the question, ‘and who told you that?’ **Stuart McCalla** 09:21 Not only who told you that? But why did you even think . . . You know, all the most successful people that I know have a team around them. Whether it’s a team they pay for. It’s a team that they’ve built over time through relationships. They have a team around them. When I coach my clients, and I’ve, you know, coach CEOs and senior vice presidents and executive vice presidents. The first thing I ask is, what’s the team around you as you’re embarking on this [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) journey? It’s not just me. I’m one person. That’s going to give you an insight. But do you have a naturopath? You know, a therapist Got the spiritual adviser, a yoga teacher, like, whatever it is around you, but it’s not just to one person, it’s not two people, it’s probably about six or seven. And just develop that team around you that you can go to, so that you’re not doing it by yourself. Nobody has ever accomplished anything by . . . So I’m gonna say this completely declaratively. And I could be completely wrong. But no one has accomplished anything by themselves, that has had huge impact in the world. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 10:31 And there are a lot of people who operate at a lower level, and are thinking of themselves as having impact. And they do, of course. **Stuart McCalla** 10:40 And they do, of course,. I mean, that’s, that’s also a thing. So many people in their [job search don’t see](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-job-search-mistakes-making-it-hard-for-employers-to-see-your-value-jobsearchtv-com/) the impact they have even on the companies that they’re going and [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 10:52 So in developing [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) around the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), I want to connect it with that for a second. What sort of things should a person be cultivating in order to develop that [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/)? That solid quality? We’ve spoken about having a team of advisers around someone as an [important](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-qualities-are-most-important-when-managing-a-team/) quality, and developing a degree of, I don’t wanna say personal certainty, although that could be a shorthand some people could use for it. But, you know, being solid. I’m going to go back to that word from earlier.And how do you start developing that solidness as an individual, male or female? How does that work? Where do you start? **Stuart McCalla** 11:41 And I love that you said that it’s not gendered. It’s not it’s male, female, it’s young, it’s old. There’s people in their 60s who are developing this sort of solidity. And the way that I think about it is depth. Have you looked at the deepest aspect of yourself, and swam with the sharks in your psyche? Right, so have you noticed, oh, wow, there are these family histories that I hold, or there’s trauma that has been passed on intergenerationally. Or there’s, you know, things that I do that I’m unaware of that have negative impact on my family, or the people around me. But that solidity comes from examining who you are. And I’m biased as a coach, because that’s what I do with my clients. And I do with myself, like, I don’t do anything with clients, with my clients when I’m not doing myself. But that, knowing who you are, and that solidity makes you grounded, feet on the ground, feeling the earth, feeling the power of the earth. And, in a lot of times, when I’ve helped people around, trying to get a job, they get so focused on the, as you said, jumping on any hook, that they can’t really just enjoy the pond that they’re in right now. And of course, you may get the . . . you might, you might have to take the job, the first job that comes your way, once again. I’m not saying don’t take the right job, or don’t take the job for you if you’re in dire straits, around finances, and you have to, you know, provide for your children, your family. But don’t think of it as that’s the end or be all. Think of yourself as a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). So if you hold yourself solidly– who am I as Stuart. I’m not the flashy, go lucky, [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) guy that’s going to make you feel necessarily great about everything when you’re in a [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) conversation with me. I’m the kind of guy that’s going to hold you and be solid with you, as you explore sometimes intense experiences, all to make you a better leader. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 13:47 And hat exploration serves in the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) process. **Stuart McCalla** 13:53 Absolute. It’s essential in the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) process. That exploration and it was so interesting when I first discovered that because I said I took notes. And as I was talking to my mentors, they would say, ‘Oh, you have a whole bunch of assumptions about the people that you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with. That they don’t know you, that they’re not. I mean, how disrespectful that is. If you go into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), like this person’s, you know, an idiot. That’s not That’s not, it’s not. it’s probably not gonna go well for you in the job experience. Or this person doesn’t see me or they don’t you know, the way sometimes we hold sour grapes, especially when we don’t get the job or we made a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). What happens if we go in and we say, ‘Okay, what is my experience of this? What am I doing in this [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) that I noticed is either going great or going not so great. And who are the people that I can talk to who can reflect back to me both the positive things that I’m doing, and also the not positive things and negative things that I’m doing? So you’d have a mirror [***5 Ways to Maintain Your Job Search and Foster Resilience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fbF) **Stuart McCalla** 14:04 And you’ll notice folks, that he spoke about himself, because I know so many professionals, so many people looking for work, always blame someone else. Yeah. It’s their fault. Why aren’t they (fill in the blank)? You’ve got a part in this equation, too. So there’s a dynamic that exists between you and other people, that helps to create the flow of the conversation that allows you to either perform at a world class individual or not. **Stuart McCalla** 15:42 I love that you’re saying and reminding people that it is . . . there is an equation to this. And I’ll just [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) folks how can this person sitting in front of you that’s [interviewing you know who you really](https://thebiggamehunter.us/i-know-your-dont-really-want-to-interview-them/) are. They have 15, maybe 30 minutes talking to you. And they’re making all sorts of assumptions about who you are. So it’s not the person in front of you that’s the issue. It’s what can you do to get past that person to the decision-maker. So let’s be tactical here. Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go less, less theoretical, and more tactical, right. So you’re in any job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you’re looking for the decision-maker, and it’s usually not necessary, it’s usually not the person [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. And you’re making a good enough impact on the person that’s [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you so that you can get past the next level. Be yourself. You’d much rather be yourself and get rejected and not be yourself and get into a job. You’re like, ‘this sucks. right?’ So be yourself. Move as, as, be thoughtful, be kind, be who you are. Hopefully, you’re thoughtful and kind. If you’re not, well, I don’t know what to tell you. But develop that work, develop that aspect of yourself, right. And be thinking of it as a, as a strategic process. You’re in a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I [remember going to a job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/remember-to-show-this-on-job-interviews/) and, especially in the tech world, sometimes you have like four or five, six [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). And you’re like, by the time the fifth one rolled around, I was like I don’t even know if I want to work with this company. This is crazy, right? But there’s a goal that I’m trying to reach. And I know what that goal is. And so I’m going to be strategic about who I’m going to talk to, what am I going to deal with, what am I going to put up with, so I can get to that decision maker and have that in depth detailed conversation. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 17:34 It’s funny how often . . . [Job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is so much like dating, in that people have this nice dating facade to start off with. And often, it takes a long time to lower the guard and open up as a real person so that you can [decide whether or not you want to be](https://thebiggamehunter.us/take-the-pillow-test-to-decide-whether-to-change-jobs/) in relationship with whoever this person is, and they with you. Or whether you’re just going to keep the act up in which case you never know whether they fall in love with you or the act. And the same thing exists professionally with [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). As Stuart pointed out, be yourself and as I like to say, risk everything by being yourself. Because if you’re rejected because of who you are, wow, that’s great. **Stuart McCalla** 18:28 It really is. There’s such a relief when you’re rejected for who we are, for who you are because, if you think what happened if I wasn’t who I was and I ended up getting this job because I’ve done both. So I think I’m what I’m speaking about this. I’ve done both. I remember trying to contort myself into a into a position into a shape so that I could get a job. I got the job and I was extremely miserable. Jeff I was one it was the most miserable job I’ve ever been in and it had nothing to do with the people. It was all about what I was presenting in this position, within this role that I was in **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 19:06 And thus the expectations you created with them. **Stuart McCalla** 19:09 That’s right that’s right. And so they were looking for a quiet , a quiet non-confrontational yes, man. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 19:22 They got a one out of three maybe. **Stuart McCalla** 19:24 [***I Hate Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-i4V) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 20:21 I assume . . . Well, folks, I always do a pre [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with my guest. And in speaking with Stuart, one of the things he wanted to speak to are mental models. and how to deploy mental models as part of this. I hand the baton to you. Take it away. **Stuart McCalla** 20:42 Yeah, well, mental models are great lenses by which you look at the world and help you make determinations. So there are [mental](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-mental-toughness-careerangles-shorts/) models on the developmental side, like who are you as a person. Enneagram is one that we’ve, I’ve heard people use. The leadership circle profile. Center for Creative Leadership, there’s all these mental models that people use in order to determine who you are as a leader, and who you are as a person. There are also mental models on the kind of work that you do. So I used to do Agile [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) for a long time. So if anybody knows what that is, it’s a type of business methodology around understanding the way work happens in business, both from the individual all the way to this systemic. So integral theory is a great mental model for people to use. Cynefinm David Snowden’s work, it’s a great mental model to use. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 20:45 Could you spell that for people. **Stuart McCalla** 21:38 Sure, and it sounds nothing like how it’s spelled, like how it sounds. It’s CYNEFIN. He’s Welsh, I believe. And he used that’s that I don’t remember what the term means. But whether you’re whether the thing that in front of you, the problem that you’re facing, whether it’s simple, complex, complicated, or chaotic, it’s a great way to look at anything actually. Is it a simple problem? complex problem? Is it a complicated problem, or is it a chaotic problem. And I’m not going to go in and try to explain a class on connection right now. But I think for anybody who’s looking at it, what would be like to take that model and try and wrap your job, your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) into that is a simple problem or me trying to find a job by just going out and sending 200 [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). This is a complicated problem. Like there’s a [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) practice that I can use. Is it a complex problem, I don’t know what this thing is. I’m going to keep trying to figure it out. And so I’m going to try all these different tools or tactics, or it’s chaotic. I have no idea what’s going on. So I’m just gonna throw out my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and stand in the middle of the street. Whatever it is I can do to make sure that [people notice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-notice-part-2-career-angles/) me. So having those models are super useful, especially in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). So collect models and think of them almost like, you know, when you go to the eye doctor, they put the different lens in front of you. And they’re like, do you see now? You’re like, ‘Nope, still can’t read whatever that thing is, but they, what the right model might get in front of your face. And often they’re like, ‘oh, I can see it clearly.’ Now, I can see what I need to I see what I need to do, or I see my next step. So you know, really use those models. And I would say like, put them in front of your face and look at the problem of your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) from that perspective. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 23:22 And it seems like that leads to the idea of experimentation. [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) **Stuart McCalla** 23:25 Oh, yes. It’s so funny when we were talking last I was I remember saying that. And it also goes with [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) game, but we’ll talk about that in a second. But experiments really are the way that you’re going to get the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) job. Should I show up early? Should I show up on time? Should I wear a t shirt? Should I wear a shirt? Should I be myself? Should I be somebody else? These are all experiments that you can try when you’re doing your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And I would say write down the experiment ahead of time to say ‘this is what I’m going to be. This is what I’m going to try. And I know I’ll be successful when this happens. So you have an idea, a hypothesis. And then you have the result by which you know that hypothesis is successful. And a lot of times people will go through a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and not be deliberate about it. The biggest thing for me when I was going through [job searches was being deliberate and creating](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-create-your-own-luck/) the experiments, the people that I could document and my notes. And it seems like a lot of work for a job. But it is a job. Like getting a job or [finding a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) is a job in and of itself. So treat it as such and document it. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 24:43 And it’s for those of you who are younger looking at this over a lifetime. **Stuart McCalla** 24:49 That’s right. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 24:50 And for those of you who are older, you’re looking at it for the balance of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Why not? **Stuart McCalla** 24:54 Why not? Why not? Because here’s the thing. If you experiment and build [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/), build mentorship, build a team around you, can you imagine if you got the . . . I actually got a job that I loved doing this. I loved the people I was with. Every day, I walked into that job, and I felt I am being well used. And it’s interesting way to put it right. But my work was having an impact. I was sitting with a small, you know, four hundred person company, but I was sitting with the CEO and all the C-suite execs because they valued my opinion. But I also could go and talk to the individual programmer, because they also valued my opinion, because I wasn’t trying to be above . . . it was a it was the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of both worlds. I was able to travel different levels in that organization. I wouldn’t have gotten that job if I hadn’t experimented and thought about what kind of work do I want to do? And I didn’t get that job the first time. And I didn’t get to that job the third time, but I got that job the fifth time. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 26:01 Beautiful. And you mentioned the term [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) game, if I’m not mistaken. **Stuart McCalla** 26:06 Yeah. Yeah. It was a term I came across in the early 2000s. Dating myself. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 26:14 I hope you’re having a good time. **Stuart McCalla** 26:18 Oh, good Lord, Jeff! **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 26:22 I told you, I did this. **Stuart McCalla** 26:28 But, you know, getting a no, I remember the first time. I got a no [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and I was like, G-d, I really wanted this job. I knew it’d be great. And I ran across this term, the [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) game. And this was the idea that you go and seek [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) to, to numb yourself a little bit to the idea of getting a no. And so part of my experiments is I would go out and try and get no’s. I would ask, I mean, there was some companies,I’d say like, ‘I could be a vice president at 32 [years old](https://thebiggamehunter.us/pretend-im-8-years-old-explain-to-me-what-you-do-why-youre-good-at-it/). I could be a senior vice president of a large tech company,’ and they’re like, ‘What? Who are you? Don’t call us again? Right?’ That was a clear No, right? There were some other companies that I would try stuff. And they would say, ‘Oh, well, maybe not yet. But if you did these four or five things, we might consider you. Now, isn’t that powerful? That in the [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/), I got learning at the same time, right? That’s what and that’s what you’re looking for. You’re looking for the learning. You’re not looking just to get in. No, you’re looking to get the learnings out of that. I mean, I tried things. I remember asking a very well known designer, for him to be a mentor of mine. He was leading the class with like, 3000 people in it. And how often he said, Hey, can you be a mentor? And he said, ‘Well, I don’t live here.’ And I was so freaked out that he was considering me to be a mentor of mine that I just turned around and walked away. But here’s the thing, he didn’t say no. Right? And so that’s the thing I’m looking for is . . . and I really advise people to really go out and try things. And be not [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of the now. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 28:11 And isn’t it interesting how often people are really [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of the Yes, **Stuart McCalla** 28:16 That’s right. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 28:16 As you, as you just expressed, suddenly, ‘oh, my god, he hasn’t rejected me yet! I’m outta here. **Stuart McCalla** 28:24 Well, that’s the thing is, I love that you’re saying that you have to be ready for the yes. Because you probably will get a yes. That will blow your mind. That will freak you out. That will make you sweat buckets, and great. Do it anyway. One of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) advice I got from a mentor is, you know, go for a job that makes you feel like you have to learn something new every day is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) job to be in. And it’s it’s so true. It’s so true. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 28:54 What haven’t we covered yet that we really should. **Stuart McCalla** 29:00 Um Well, I think what I said earlier around being a job seeker, is personal development. And if I can really emphasize that for folks, that it’s almost secondary to the job you get because a job is not the end all, be all. It shouldn’t define you. But if you use it as a way to investigate, develop and learn about yourself . . . Who am I under [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/)? Who am I? Oh, when things are going great?Great. What do I feel like when I talk about or talk with leaders? What are some of the things that I struggle with when I [work with teams](https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-things-managers-can-do-to-help-their-teams-truly-work-smarter-not-harder/) or work as an individual contributor and especially for the people who are in what are called underrepresented groups. Keep going. Keep going. Every job isn’t, as I said, it’s not the one that defines you. But it’s who you are as a person. And that’s what you’re looking for. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 30:01 Beautiful, Stuart. Thank you. How can people find out more about you the work that you do? Everything? **Stuart McCalla** 30:09 Well, first of all, I’m on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) because [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), but please look me up as Stuart. McCalla on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). I’m also on Evolution.team. We’re a world-class group of coaches. I do a lot of work with leaders, especially in transition. So if you’re in a transition state, especially at the higher levels of leadership, right, so if you’re an SVP or higher, even a CEO, so reach out to me there. I’m actually going to be at .la in this week, actually talking about diversity in venture capital. So there’s lots of different ways to find me, **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 30:54 Stuart, thanks for making the time today. And, folks, we’ll be back soon with more. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I do no BS [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). I do it globally working with people around [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, improving their management and leadership, resolving workplace issues, a holistic approach to you and [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). If you’ve got questions for me, you can schedule time for a free discovery call, schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). You can do that through my website, TheBigGameHunter.us. And while you’re there, there’s a ton in the blog that’ll help you. It’s information you can watch, listen to or read. I also have courses and books that I’ve written. Again, available through the website. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 31:41 Lastly, connect with me on [Linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/TheBigGameHunter. Have a terrific day and, most importantly, be great. Take care. [***Recruiters Are Not Your Friends***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5OS) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/getting-into-the-hot-field-web31_thumbnail-300x169.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally. That can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, management, leadership, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. I do a livestream on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and YouTube (on the JobSearchTV.com account) Tuesdays and Fridays at 1 PM Eastern. You can send your questions about [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) better, management, leadership or to get advice about a workplace issue to me via messaging on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) or in chat during the approximately 30-minute show. Website: [w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter | NoBSJobSearchAdvice.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/jeff-altman-the-big-game-hunter-300x159.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses) Main YouTube: [www.JobSearchTV.com](https://www.JobSearchTV.com) Instagram: [http://instagram.com/j](http://instagram.com/jeffaltman)[effaltman](http://instagram.com/jeffaltman) Facebook: [http://facebook.com/n](http://facebook.com/nobscoachingadvice)[obscoachingadvice](http://facebook.com/nobscoachingadvice) Podcast: [anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio](https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio) Video Podcast: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) Twitter: [http://twitter.com/j](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach)[effaltmancoach](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach) Medium: [jeffaltmancoach.medium.com](https://jeffaltmancoach.medium.com) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [My courses are available on Skillshare](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/skillshare) [CareerFitter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/Career) offers a free test and if you want [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) recommendations, upgrade to the paid version We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Building Job Search Resilience, job search resilience, job search well-being, Maintaining Resilience During Your Job Search, rejection, Resilience, Resilience and your job search, resilience in the job search, solid, Stuart McCalla --- ### [Pretend I'm 8 Years Old. Explain to Me What You Do & Why You're Good at It](https://thebiggamehunter.us/explain-to-me-what-you-do-and-why-youre-good-at-it-nobsjobsearchadvice-com/) **Published:** June 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** I'd like you to pretend like I'm 8 years old. I'm in 1st or 2nd grade. And, I'd like you to explain to me what you do and why you're good at it." **Content:** # Pretend I’m 8 Years Old. Explain to Me What You Do & Why You’re Good at It **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** “I’d like you to pretend like I’m 8 years old. I’m in 1st or 2nd grade. And, I’d like you to explain to me what you do and why you’re good at it.” I found this great question and I just thought it’d be a useful one to get you [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for. Now, the title of the video is a shortened version of it. The question goes, “You know, you’re seven or eight years old, you’re in first grade, second grade at most. Explain to me what you do and why you’re good at it.” I think this is a lovely question because it really takes a lot of the BS out of the description. What you’re designed to do, or what you have to do is boil it down to the core essence of what it is that you do. Because there w,ere a lot of situations that can be “jargon rich,” where people say a lot of BS, and in point of fact, it can really be condensed. It can really be made much more clear. It also gives the interviewer a sense of how you can explain concepts or seemingly complex concepts, and make them simple. So, here’s how you might answer. First of all, a one sentence, tops two sentences to describe what you do. So, if I were answering it from my time in recruiting, I might say, I help companies [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people, by finding them for them. One sentence. Notice what I did? Now, that might invitefollow up questions but, the key thing is the one sentence and then this one. “Do you understand? And just want to make sure you do? Because if you don’t, I’ll go back and try and explain it differently.” Then, from there, why you’re good at it. So, in the case of my time in recruiting, I might say something along the lines of, “I’m extremely well-organized. I’m a good communicator.” So, I can explain to people what the opportunity is, and explain to my client company, the firm that hires people, why this person would help them fill their job?” One sentence. It was a long one but it’s one sentence. Maybe it could be broken in two Then, you’d [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) by saying, “Do you understand? Or shall I explain it a little differently?” Again, you’re talking to a seven or eight year old in first grade, second grade tops. So the idea is to be simple. Now, if you think that was a more complicated answer that needs to be, leave a message, let me know what it should have been. But, again, condense what you do you do into very simple sentences. And always [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) by saying, “Do you understand. I just want to make sure that you do because, if you don’t, I’ll explain it in a different way.” What that does is demonstrate that you have a service orientation, because you care about the listener, you’re not just babbling some nonsense that they want to understand. After all, you’re in first grade. You’re seven or eight years old. From there, what you’re doing is making it clear that you want to make sure that they understand. And you’ve broken the concepts down, in my case, two sentences, one of which was a little long, but it had space for them to pause and for me to absorb whether or not they seem to understand. [***Recession-Proofing Your Career: Can You Help Your Organization to Be More Wolf-Like?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5N) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally. That can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, management, leadership, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: [www.JobSearch.Community](http://www.JobSearch.Community) Video Podcast: [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [CareerFitter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/Career) offers a free test and if you want [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) recommendations, upgrade to the paid version We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** Text, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** Explain to Me What You Do and Why You're Good at It --- ### [The Tough Interview Question You Aren’t Ready For](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-tough-interview-question-you-arent-ready-for/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Dang! This question is starting to surface on interviews and most people can't answer it. **Content:** # The Tough Interview Question Employers Are Starting to Ask That You Aren’t Ready For **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/meBRmHK7BMk) Dang! This question is starting to surface on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and most people can’t answer it. [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)*Schedule a Strategic Advisory call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) He is the Producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) I’ve simplified my [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subject Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** The Tough Interview Question Employers Are Starting to Ask You Aren’t Ready For --- ### [Slack Channels #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/slack-channels-shorts/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Slack channels are a great way to connect and impress. **Content:** # Slack Channels #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***]() Slack channels are a great way to connect and impress. [***Mistakes Job Hunters Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hwE) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Networking **Tags:** Slack Channels --- ### [Avoiding Career Management Scams](https://thebiggamehunter.us/avoiding-career-management-scams-jobsearchradio-com-2/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter offers a few warning signs to help you avoid career management scams. **Content:** # Avoiding Career Management Scams **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) offers a few warning signs to help you avoid career management scams. ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a career and leadership coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for more than 40 years. [![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/JeffAltman-62.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)?* [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) **Categories:** Career Planning, Scam, Text **Tags:** Avoiding Career Management Scams --- ### [How to Beat the ATS and Build a Resume for Real Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-beat-the-ats-and-build-a-resume-for-real-recruiters/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # How to Beat the ATS and Build a Resume for Real Recruiters **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Watch the video](https://youtu.be/Sd8-VkZWrEY) Stop wasting time trying to trick a mythical [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) robot that doesn’t exist. Your “optimized” keyword-stuffed [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) isn’t failing because a computer threw it away; it’s failing because it looks like a machine wrote it, and the actual [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager spent six seconds throwing it in the trash. This episode breaks down the real mechanics of modern [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) so you can write for the actual humans holding the power to hire you. 75% of all submitted [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) are thrown out before a human being ever sees them. If you spend time looking for [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) online, you will inevitably hear about the villain responsible for this statistic: the [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), or [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). The story goes that a ruthless [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) robot scans your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), looks for exact formatting, and automatically deletes your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) if it doesn’t like what it sees. This fear spawned an entire industry of rules. You are told to never use a two-column layout. You are told to hit a specific keyword density. You are told you need to run your document through third-party scanners to get a passing [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) match score. Job seekers end up stripping away all the context of their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), writing dense, robotic [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) designed to appease an algorithm. They optimize for a machine and end up sabotaging their chances with the actual [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. But data from millions of [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) at companies like Amazon and Microsoft confirms a different reality. The auto-rejecting robot does not exist. No major platform on the market today is programmed to throw your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in the trash just because you used the wrong font or missed a specific buzzword. An [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is actually just a highly sophisticated filing cabinet. It is a database designed to organize candidate information and manage a recruiter’s workflow. It does not make [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) decisions on its own. If you spend hours trying to trick a piece of software that isn’t actually trying to reject you, you are fighting the wrong enemy. To get an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), we have to look at what is actively filtering your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). When you hit submit, you usually have to answer a few basic questions about your visa status, your location, or your years of experience. These are called knockout questions. This flowchart shows the only real automated filter in the process. If a job requires three years of experience and you select one on the drop-down menu, the system routes your file straight to a [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) bin. Your answers to these binary questions are what disqualify you, not your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Once you pass those questions, the system parses your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Older databases try to extract your text to build an HTML preview profile. If you have a complex layout or tables, the system can scramble your text into a messy, unreadable block. This is where the myth of the formatting penalty comes from. But a scrambled preview does not equal a [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/). The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) can always click a button and open your original, untouched file. Submitting a clean, single-column [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) is smart because it prevents parsing errors and makes the recruiter’s life easier. But a stray graphic isn’t going to trigger an instant deletion. Your actual answers to the knockout criteria do. While legacy systems rely on parsers and knockout questions, the newest platforms use machine learning to evaluate your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). They have moved away from counting exact keyword matches and now use semantic ranking. Instead of blindly searching for the term “project management,” the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) reads for context. It understands that terms like Scrum, sprint planning, and iterative delivery demonstrate the same skill. The algorithm evaluates the depth of your experience and sorts the candidate pool into graded tiers. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) logs in and starts pulling [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), only looking at the A tier. The candidates in the B, C, and D tiers are still in the system. They were never formally rejected by the machine, but they will likely never [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) by human eyes. This contextual intelligence is exactly why you cannot rely on old optimization tricks. Pasting the entire job description in white text at the bottom of your document or stuffing a skills section with every buzzword you can find used to work on older systems. Today, platforms like Workday and Greenhouse actively scan for invisible text and mismatched skills. When they find them, they attach a fraud indicator directly to your profile. If you try to outsmart a contextual machine learning model with a trick from 2015, you aren’t going to end up in the top tier. You are going to get your file flagged as spam. Once you make it into that top tier, you face the actual final hurdle of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) process: a real person. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) typically manage dozens of open roles and hundreds of [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/). They do not read your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) like a book. They scan it, spending an average of 6 to 10 seconds to make a decision. In that tiny window, they are looking for specific evidence that you can handle the daily responsibilities of the role. They want to see that the scope of your past work matches the specific problems they need solved today. If you wrote a dense, repetitive document packed with isolated keywords just to please an algorithm, a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) scanning it at high speed will skip right past it. To survive that six-second scan, you have to write for the human. Start by tailoring your content. Use the exact phrasing from the job description to describe your actual experience. Data shows that candidates who tailor their [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) convert to [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) at roughly twice the rate of those who don’t. Then apply this formula to your bullet points. Start with a strong action verb, explain exactly what you did, and finish with a measurable result. That measurable result is critical. Dollar signs, percentages, and hard numbers physically stand out, instantly proving your impact. And don’t feel forced to cram all of this onto a single page. Analysis of over 200,000 [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) shows that a well-organized two-page document performs equally well across all experience levels. Don’t cut vital context just to save space. Keep your formatting clean so the database can organize your file, but make sure your writing is sharp, contextual, and persuasive. The machine might sort the pile, but a human makes the hire. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services à la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System --- ### [The Stacking Principle: Why Average Skills in Oversupplied Markets Are Invisible](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** When thousands of people share your exact functional title and educational pedigree, the market treats you as an interchangeable cog. **Content:** # The Stacking Principle: Why Average Skills in Oversupplied Markets Are Invisible **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you market yourself on a baseline capability like “project management,” “financial analysis,” or “software engineering,” you are functionally invisible. These are not differentiators. They are [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) skills in an oversupplied market. When thousands of people share your exact functional title and educational pedigree, the market treats you as an interchangeable cog. When a business has an abundance of options, it filters strictly on price or structural convenience, forcing you to compete in a race to the bottom. To break out of the [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), you must stop selling individual ingredients. You need to stack your anomalies–the rare combinations of disjointed domains, specific operational histories, and baseline technical execution that define your Onlyness. The goal is not to be a slightly better version of your peers; the goal is to become the only logical solution to a highly specific, high-stakes corporate friction point. ### 1. The Trap of the Linear Expertise Curve Most [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) development models push professionals down a linear path: if you are a marketer, become a better marketer; if you are an engineer, learn another language. This advice works beautifully in an undersupplied market where demand outpaces capacity. In an oversupplied market, it is a liability. Think about how standard [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advancement typically functions versus how you actually build a market monopoly. In a standard linear progression, you start with your core baseline skill and continuously try to add more of that same skill on top of it. You take more courses, hit more standard milestones, and check the same boxes as everyone else in your field. All this does is cement your status as an interchangeable cog in a massive corporate wheel. The Anomaly Stack completely breaks this model. Instead of stacking more of the same commoditized capability, you take your core baseline execution engine and intentionally layer an entirely disjointed domain and a specific operational anomaly directly on top of it. You are no longer multiplying standard compliance; you are engineering an unassailable market monopoly that makes you the only logical solution to a complex corporate crisis. As you climb the linear expertise curve, the marginal utility of your skill flattens out. The market will not pay a premium for a 10% improvement in your core function because it can buy an “adequate” version of that skill for a fraction of the cost. True market value is unlocked at the intersection of mismatched domains. ### 2. Identifying Your Anomalies An anomaly is any structural detail in your professional history that deviates from the standard linear path of your peer group. It is the thing that makes your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) look “weird” to a low-level corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/), but makes you priceless to a line executive dealing with a multi-layered crisis. To map your stack, isolate assets across three distinct tiers: - **The Core Lever:** Your baseline execution engine (e.g., Data Architecture, Corporate Finance, Supply Chain). - **The Disjointed Domain:** A secondary capability completely outside your main function (e.g., Deep Behavioral Psychology, Distributed Ledger Technology, Predictive Margin Modeling). - **The Operational Anomaly:** The specific, high-velocity environment where you earned your scars (e.g., Hyper-growth post-Series B, rapid down-market restructuring, cross-border corporate integration). ### 3. Engineering the Stack for Maximum Leverage One skill is a [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). Two combined skills create a niche. Three stacked anomalies create a monopoly. Let’s look at how stacking transforms an invisible professional into a premium asset. Consider a senior finance director competing in an oversupplied market. If they lead with standard accounting and forecasting, they blend into a sea of thousands. - **The Linear Profile:** “Corporate Finance Director with 12 years of experience in budgeting, forecasting, and team leadership.” (Invisible. Fully commoditized.) - **The Anomaly Stack:** Combine Corporate Finance + Semantic Data Integration + Post-Acquisition Restructuring. - **The Monopolistic Frame:** “A financial operator specializing in mid-market software mergers. I integrate disparate, non-relational data systems from newly acquired entities into unified predictive margin models, protecting cash flow during rapid restructuring phases.” Look at what happened to the competition. By stacking the anomalies, this professional is no longer competing against every finance director on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). They are now competing only against the tiny handful of people who can write financial structures and manipulate raw data infrastructure during an active corporate merger. They have priced out the noise. ### The Bottom Line Stop trying to win an oversupplied game by doing more of the same. The market doesn’t reward general compliance; it rewards specialized leverage. Audit your history. Isolate the operational anomalies and disjointed domains you’ve accumulated over [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), and stack them directly on top of your core execution engine. Turn your profile into an uncopiable signature. When you anchor [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) in your Onlyness, you stop chasing the market and force the market to chase you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[The “Too Experienced” Card is BS](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ozZ)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[LinkedIn in the AI Era](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oAW)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ### **[*Cracking the Job Search Code: What’s Working*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oaY)** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, Mistakes, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** The Stacking Principle: Why Average Skills in Oversupplied Markets Are Invisible --- ### [Looking for a Job As a Member of the LGBTQ+ Community](https://thebiggamehunter.us/looking-for-a-job-as-a-member-of-the-lgbtq-community-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** My guest, Amanda Boyd, and I discuss things to look for and, for employers, how to signal that you are an inclusive environment. **Content:** # Looking for a Job As a Member of the LGBTQ+ Community **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** People who are LGBTQ+ have additional concerns when looking for a job. Will my new employer be accepting of me or disapproving? My guest, Amanda Boyd, and I discuss things to look for and, for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), how to signal that you are an inclusive environment. ![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/holding-hands-pexels-rodnae-productions-4918472-300x200.jpg) [***How to Optimize Your Resume for AI Screening***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lDQ) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 00:00 So, my guest today is Amanda Boyd. She’s the founder of “Visible Talent” company in Akron, Ohio, which is a national inclusive recruiting agency specializing in connecting LGBTQ plus individuals and allies to ideal inclusive [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). Her firm’s mission is not only to support job seekers a comfortable and confident [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) experience, but to connect with [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) wanting to improve their diversity, mission, and commitment to DEI through [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) practices that go beyond lip service. Amanda, welcome. Amanda Boyd 00:40 Thank you for having me. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 00:41 My pleasure. So, when I hear someone starting a business as yours. There’s a backstory. Tell me about it. Amanda Boyd 00:59 I have been somebody who grew up very blue collar. I’ve been working most of my adolescent life into my adulthood now and I’ve worked everywhere from a free market to a fast food restaurant to, I was ahead of campus security at my undergrad and even now, my most recent [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) was as an art teacher, and now I’m an entrepreneur. So, when I think about back to my experiences, where I wasn’t the one [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), where I’m the one going in blindly to these [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and to these [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), situations, or opportunities that I’m trying to achieve for myself. I always felt as its somewhat disadvantage as an out in somewhat androgynous, noticeably visible lesbian. When I was an undergrad, my professors used to tell me, don’t tell them that they’re not going to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you at the education field is too conservative, even though I was an art teacher and so I went into these things and like, you got to wear a dress, you should probably wear a skirt, you have a pantsuit, what’s going on and it became this kind of like sense of [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) for me going into my first professional experience, is what do I wear, and I’m going to be judged and already minus one going into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) blindly, not knowing what the attributes or values of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) person was going to be and I probably went through five or seven different [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), as I’m coming out of undergrad, where I just didn’t get the position and I was being interviewed by a sisgendered white men. I always felt like whether that was because of me, and who I am, or it was because of my lack of [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) because I felt like I had something to hide. I was never really sure what was happening there until I met a principal in 2009 who saw me and when I say that she saw me, I meant that she used language that made me know that it was going to be okay. She asked me, oh, what’s your life? Do you have a partner? Do you have this, what’s going on, and just that small verbiage that she used let me know that I was in a safe place and that was actually the first person that gave me a chance professionally as somebody 22 coming out of school and as I reflect on that, and it was all uphill from that point, for me being able to kind of come out of my shell. But I never wanted to have employees as I became an entrepreneur feel that way in my [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and I always wanted to give younger people a ted talk that it’s okay, you’re not going to be for everyone. But as long as you’re being authentic then you’ve got somewhere to go and you can stand up on your own two feet. So visible talent is just that, it’s an opportunity for employees to [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) and be hired and it’s an opportunity for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to really put their money where their mouth is when it comes to diversity. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 04:04 And when you talked about your experience, when was that? What decade? Amanda Boyd 04:11 This is 2007, 2009. So, we’re talking like George W. We’re talking issue one, we’re talking don’t ask, don’t tell us, don’t want to fact. We’re talking, people are closeted in the military. People aren’t able to get married. People are trying to navigate civil unions. Adoption is the subject, surrogacy legal support was nonexistent. So, it was a different time. It was 15, [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) ago. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 04:39 And the other thing for the those who don’t know, you used the term sisgendered. You **[define it for them as well](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-well-defined-is-your-job/)**. Amanda Boyd 04:48 Again, I’m not an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) on the gender terminology, as a profession but sis versus trans is you can kind of do it for simplicity terms. Cisgender mean that you identify with the biology of birth and a transgender mean that you have gender identity that differs profile. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 05:11 Thank you. Because I want to make sure the audience follows what you said. So, with that, we’re going to be covering advice for both job hunters and [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to ensure that job hunters recognize environments where they can feel safer. I have to say safer because not necessarily safe, but safer and from an employer’s perspective, the kinds of things that they want to be doing to demonstrate a real commitment. So, let’s start off on the employee side. Amanda Boyd 05:51 I think there are a lot of choices that need to be made by somebody going into their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) field, when it comes to their sexuality. Everyone has their own threshold of what they’re willing to share and it’s usually erring on the side of closeted. But I would really empower in this day and age where we are going through a gender revolution. We are looking at the brink of the Federal Equality Act, is where is your breaking point. I don’t mean that you need to put your sexuality after your name as a moniker on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). But you can definitely put your pronouns. Are there ways that you can gently allude to your sexuality or even ally ship to the community by doing things like putting your volunteer work on the bottom of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? Can you [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) to your [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) in gender neutral language? How out do you want your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to be and that of course is a personal choice? But when you do that, I would empower you to stick to it, and if someone misgenders you, correct them. If somebody speaks about people in your life in terms of gender, or spouse that doesn’t reflect your lifestyle, husband, wife, etc., so on, speak up. If someone assumed you don’t have children, because you are a member of the community, speak up and so that kind of like having your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) translate into your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), have it been the same. It’s really easy to be out on paper, and go into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and cover inside yourself and not be as comfortable or as not to stand up for yourself or not to correct people who may or may not be ignorant or not even prejudiced, could just be ignorant to your needs and your preferences in the way that people speak to you. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 07:44 I’m going to interrupt for just one moment. I know that there was a point where I was working with a number of people who consider themselves gay friendly and they would always [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) to a partner and I started to correct them and say, remember, wife, husband, partner, because there’s equality in marriage in the United States now and I don’t know what other nations, but at least in the US, there’s marriage equality. So make no assumptions about who the spouses or the marital status of the [**person that you’re talking with and I know**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whos-the-smartest-person-you-know-personally-what-makes-them-the-smartest-person-you-know/) for myself, when I’ve spoken to people who’ve been referred to me as [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), as people to coach, I’ve always used that language and I’ve been thrilled when someone’s come out and say, I was talking with my husband about this for a man or talking to my wife, for a woman, because she felt comfortable or he felt comfortable opening up to me that there was a spouse of the same gender and for those of you who are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), and this is on both sides of the equation. I have to assume and please correct me, because I just don’t know that the choice about revealing is a reflection of your comfort and your willingness to be yourself. Amanda Boyd 09:11 I would tend to agree with that. I don’t mean to speak for everyone. Some people have a very strong line, if they want to **[keep their work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/other-than-money-what-would-have-inspired-you-to-keep-working-at-your-last-job-jobsearchtv-com/)** life and their private life private, but at some point, your private life comes into work and so I would tend to agree that the level of authenticity that you come into the workplace with, does reflect your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) and comfort level and I do think, it matters, something as simple as your attire. How are you going to present yourself in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) along with what you do on paper, what is your person? Are you going to be somebody who’s going to be gender neutral? Are you going to be present yourself as transgender, even though you might have and if you want to talk about terminology between cisgender? Dead names are also a big issue for transgender community is, do I put my legal name or do I put my preferred name and at what point does that differ between having the legal name change having a being process? Do you present yourself as female, but allow them to call you, William? If you are in that, and that’s your identity, that’s fine. But what if you prefer a different name? How does that go on the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and I do think that is also a personal preference but whatever you do, be comfortable in it and realize that if you are not going to be accepted in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you are not going to be accepted in the workplace. So, is that the life you want to live? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 10:55 Again, I’m learning along with some of the people, my audience that you would fill, you would have the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) with your preferred name. When you do the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) for HR, you might have the conversation by saying, so this way, it’s not with the workers. We’re making the decision. It’s with HR going. This is how I was born. This is the way you’ll find my background. Amanda Boyd 11:25 I was and I would definitely equate it no different than somebody who may be made named to married, divorced name to going back to the name. You don’t have to be ashamed of this situation or tread on it because name changes happen in every type of identity. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 11:42 Absolutely true. So, the first thing is making decisions about the degree of output that you’re willing to pay and what’s the second thing that someone might do? Amanda Boyd 11:59 I do think you should present yourself authentically in whatever gender expression that you choose when you go into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I think that pulling that, like I said, I have always in favor of going in there authentically realizing that if I’m accepted in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), I have a better chance of being accepted in the workplace and it really is a taking the temperature for the culture of an organization. The last thing I would say, besides [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and attire and gender expression, would be the negotiations. Heterosexual women tend to be the most complacent when it comes to asking for negotiations and [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). or asking for certain things in their contract and I think that if you are somebody that needs certain things in your life, whether it be adoption or surrogacy support, whether it be gender identity, ability in your healthcare, whether it be more higher wage, I think that sometimes in our community, we are less likely to ask for that negotiating because maybe we don’t feel like we are entitled to it. It’s really easy to feel, you have to come out as a child, you have to come out as a spouse. You have to come out in the workplace. I think that we should be asking for equality as well, when we’re talking about our pay, and our benefits and our packages that we’re accepting from [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 13:26 It gives me the idea that it’s part of the lack of freedom that people feel to be themselves that you can’t ask for fear. Amanda Boyd 13:39 They’re not entitled to it, like they’re not good enough for it, or they’re being to appreciative about the job instead of knowing what they have to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) in the workplace. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 13:51 Interesting. One of my things is helping people play big in the world and with that, comes the idea that supporting people with feeling free enough to ask to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/), if necessary, reject the offers that are inadequate, so that this way, there’s always going to be some firm that will provide the right [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). It’s a question of timing. Sometimes, if you need something now, I don’t presume to make decisions for people. But there’s an awareness of what you’re stepping into, and the compromises you’re choosing to make going into such an environment. I don’t encourage or discourage; I don’t have that power but it’s going unconsciously. Amanda Boyd 14:45 Absolutely. I was in another life. I was an art teacher and I had a professor told me, you can always start strong when it comes to classroom management and when it comes to classroom accountability, but you can’t go in there soft and expect to be able to have a bunch of six year old. Do what you say and that’s what we’re trying to commandeer our [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). But at the same time, if you come in strong with what your needs are, and who you are, it’s going to be a lot easier than that expectation is going to be set from the beginning. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 15:18 Excellent. Do we have more tips or we going on the employer side now? Amanda Boyd 15:22 I would go actually to the employer. I got more to tell that. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 15:24 Oh, good. They need to hear without a doubt. Amanda Boyd 15:32 Tip number one is, don’t assume that you can see the diversity in your applicants. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 15:38 Oh, they don’t have gaydar. Amanda Boyd 15:41 Of course not. We all might have our own level of gaydar. But yeah, I will tell you that, it’s really easy. Well, I’ll just [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) gay people. Done. My DEI goal, my quota has been met. I will tell you that, contrary to popular belief that you need to act first, before you start trying to change things, you need to take the temperature of your culture. You need to be listening to your allies because whether you think or not, the allies are going to be the most direct route to increasing your company’s inclusion. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 16:17 Define an ally for the audience. Amanda Boyd 16:18 Yes, an ally is somebody who might not identify as a member of the LGBTQ plus community. But maybe they are in favor of equal rights. Maybe they have a child that identifies a neighbor, a friend, a colleague. They are the people that are going to be more likely to stand up to bigotry. They are going to be more likely to call you out on your BS, if you are doing something that is not aligned and sometimes you have to ask, and when you ask, you’ll be surprised the people that have opinions, or that have relationships in their life, that involve the community. So, I think that before you try to change, make policy changes to be more inclusive. You should probably start listening to your people, because your allies are going to be the ones steering the ship. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 17:10 And let’s say it’s an environment where there are some allies, some not. How does someone navigate that environment as a leader of an organization? Amanda Boyd 17:21 Again, as I told the employees that they had to go in there and have their tipping point of what they’re expecting to do prior, how is their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) going to be? I would also empower the [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) to say, how inclusive do are we going to be and what level of non-inclusivity are we going to accept? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 17:46 That’s interesting because I don’t know that any employer can say, we’re not going to be a particularly inclusive environment. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 17:56 Gay is okay. Black is okay. I’m not sure about Latin x. Amanda Boyd 18:07 So yes, there are different levels of acceptance. But I think that when you have an environment that might be mixed in their politics, in their views, and their morals and their values, I think that cultures attract likeminded culture, we’re all people and I think that people that no longer fit a culture will weed themselves out if it’s something that is that much of a **[deal breaker](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-application-asked-if-i-had-signed-an-nda-i-have-is-this-a-deal-breaker-jobsearchtv-com/)** to them. So, I wouldn’t voice so much about the naysayers as much as I would **[try to listen more to members](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-you-handle-team-members-trying-to-take-over-management-of-the-team-no-bs-management-advice/)** of the community that might currently be in your organization, or the allies and around them. I would also want to let you know that as an employee, we are looking for the smallest signals of inclusiveness of inclusion. You don’t have to have a gay, a pride flag on your front door. You don’t have to come around and make special accommodations during Gay Pride Month. We don’t have to have an office parade but what we do need are the small signals during the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), onboarding, and job process that signals to us that you are a safe place. Amanda Boyd 19:29 The first thing I always look for on a company website. Do you have a diversity mission statement? It’s not going to be but if it’s there, we are going to notice it. On the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), do you have pronoun options? Am I being required to choose from a binary situation of male and female or are you going to be open and not just saying he, she, he, him, she her, they them, but do you have that other because the other is important, because self-identifying and gender expression and gender identity is as fluid as the number of people that you have in your organization. So, we have that diversity mission statement, have the pronoun option, one that you might not think about is reviewing your [**company dress code**](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ignoring-your-companys-dress-code-can-get-you-fired/). A lot of dress codes are binary by just tradition. Funny story is that I grew up in near Sandusky Ohio and I worked at Cedar Point many summers of college students. Their dress code, it’s better now, horribly gendered. Males couldn’t have their hair longer. Women had to wear a different type of tie to their shirt, when I was a housekeeper when I was working at the hotel. Are you required? What is business attire for your organization and if that’s the case, it is already harder for heterosexual and cisgender women because the suit thing. What is the equivalent of the suit and tie? But do you require a suit and tie? Is that where you’re saying that gender is defined in the business world? It’s something very slight, but am I going to [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/) as less professional or more professional if I wear a suit? What’s funny is that, there was a study recently that talked about how people are being promoted in the workplace and it appears that it all revolves around the masculine identity of the individual. So, homosexual or bisexual women that present themselves as more masculine and their expression tend to be promoted more so than straight women that it might be more traditionally female expressed. But at the same token, straight males seem to be promoted more often than more feminine gay males. So, it’s this thing, where are we equating our promotions? Are we equating [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) and moving up in the company in that kind of binary option where we’re talking about somebody who’s more authoritarian or masculine, being somebody who’s ready for the position? So, I would look at your soft skills as well and say, am I really judging this promotion based on the performance of the individual aside from how people dress? So that’s kind of where I am with dress code is, we don’t realize, even subconsciously, whether it’s written or not, what is your dress code? What are you expecting people to wear to work? Spousal benefits and what kind of health care are you choosing for your employees? Are you choosing health care that is going to be gender affirming, and allowing people to have gender affirming surgeries, more health care? Are you choosing healthcare that’s allowance for spouses to be involved? Do they have adoption benefits? Do you have surrogacy benefits? Our adoption options, because these are things that are very expensive in the community, and that we’re looking for, especially for high performing professionals within the communities that we need these to live with our families for the most part and that’s kind of a sticking point as well. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 23:31 I’m going to talk to parents, and is expensive, we did an international adoption and this is going back to 2001. We travelled to Central Asia and the cost of the adoption of that time was $35,000, which we had to bring us cash with us in new bills, because they don’t take checks in getting in that country through the currency system, because they had just extracted themselves from the old Soviet Union or Russia, and needed new bills. Lots of little things. So, the idea of adoption benefits I get, I know how expensive it is. Amanda Boyd 24:16 You know, and my wife and I are self-employed and so that becomes an option too. It’s like, how do you afford that? What we have, two children as well and going through the fertility process and trying to navigate that through an infertility clinic because when you can’t, when you don’t have the male and female partnership, people when you go into a fertility clinic, they assume you’re infertile and so what kind of testing are they going to put through your insurance? That’s unnecessary. So, I was able, I’d like I’m digressing here. But I was able to again, using these principles of standing up for who I am. I said, I don’t need these tests because I’m not infertile. I’m just gay. I don’t need X, Y or Z. So, I think, I was able to get probably half of those procedures not done because I didn’t need to be treated as infertile, I just needed to be treated as a person in a different type of relationship. So that’s what I would tell [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) should do. Use the small signals, have a mission statement, have some pronoun options, assess your dress code, culturally, listen to your allies, pick healthcare that works for everyone. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 25:32 And for someone who has a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, of course, pronouns present there, so that when someone is researching who they’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) with, they see the pronouns and it’s a signal. Amanda Boyd 25:46 Yes, and what’s really interesting too is that you’re seeing a lot of allies take on even emojis on their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles. They’re putting the pride flag after their pronouns and parentheses, even though they may or may not be a member of the community. So, I think this kind of emoticon world that we’re living in, where symbols are everything. Having the words of your pronouns is a very simple way to signal to someone that you are a safe place in an inclusive place. But I do think that, even on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), where it’s more professional, I think people are open to having those symbols on their professional page, because it’s just again, it speaks louder than words sometimes. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 26:25 And for those who don’t understand. They don’t know, they don’t care. Amanda Boyd 26:31 No one thinks less of you because you put in your pronouns. I think you’re attracting the attention from the people that you want to signal to. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 26:41 So, what else should we be talking about today, that we haven’t spoken about? Amanda Boyd 26:47 What would you be talking about, the Federal protections that we’re about to see, the Equality Act? As of 2020, there were 22 states and DC, that only 22 states have expressed the inability to discriminate in the LGBT community and so we’ve got 28 states here where you can still be [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 27:22 Bizarre. Amanda Boyd 27:25 I don’t think anybody, regardless of their sexuality, your personal life, inside a lawful person should not be any reason to be able to dissuade the performance that you’re doing on the job. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 27:41 So true. So, in the new Equality Act, there’s federal protection to ensure that there’s no terminations or wrongful termination based upon gender preference, gender orientation, etc. Amanda Boyd 27:55 Yep. I do a lot of contracts in my line of work with recruitment and anytime you go to a lawyer and ask them to draft the contract, they have the standard. Currently, federal protected things, gender, sex, all of these things that you cannot discriminate against and sexual orientation and gender identity and expression are not yet there and so I always have to ask my attorneys to add them. I say I realized this, but my company does not discriminate on the federally protected, demographics as well as these additional ones. So, it’s always interesting to see that, by default, people are giving you the minimum and you’d have to ask for more. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 28:38 So true. Amanda, this is fabulous. I really mean that. How can people find out more about you and the work that you do? Amanda Boyd 28:48 I’m very active on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). If you want to get in touch with me personally, I will tell you to go to my [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) account, which is just Amanda Boyd, and the OIG with my [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page, which is the “Visible Talent Company”. You can also go to visible talent company.com to see my current job openings that I’m filling. You can also sign up to be a part of my general [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) pool, where you’re just putting your name, your hat in the ring there and allowing me to add you to my database for searches. If you’re a company or an employer that wants to reach out to me, same way, you can reach me at info at Visibletalentcompany.com. Send me a quick inquiry. We’ll do a quick call to see what your needs are and how I can help you fill your most valuable, will bake vacancies inclusively. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 29:28 As you’re doing consulting around DEI, for companies as well? Amanda Boyd 29:33 Yes, I’ve done it on a smaller scale because just timing. I’ve been so lucky to be inundated with a lot of people that are wanting to fill positions. So, we’re talking to people like Joanne Fabrics, just went public. They have a brand-new diversity and inclusion department that they are starting that they’re launching with that we’re working to partner with to fill those positions for store management and for warehouse workers for interns record. So, we’re seeing some big changes here in the in the DI round, and more and more companies, thankfully have been reaching out to me to kind of open this up on a national scale. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) 30:11 Wonderful. Amanda, thank you and Phil and folks, we’ll be back soon with more. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). You can visit my website, which is thebiggamehunter.us where I’ve got a ton of information that you can watch, listen to or we help you find work more quickly. In addition, I just want to remind you of my course, called “The Ultimate Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Framework”, a video course that you can order at thebiggamehunter.us forward slash [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). It will help you [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) far better than your competition and it’s also available as a paperback and kindle book on Amazon. Lastly, connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). [LinkedIn.com\\in\\Thebiggamehunter](http://LinkedIn.com\IN\Thebiggamehunter). Hope you have a terrific day and be great. Take care. ***[Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 18, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/C32TzHzzwbw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Amanda Boyd, LGBTQ+ job hunting, LGBTQ+ job search, Looking for a Job As a Member of the LGBTQ+ Community --- ### [How to Get Hunted for Jobs, Not Just Apply for Them](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-get-hunted-for-jobs-not-just-apply-for-them/) **Published:** June 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you want to be hunted, you have to flip the script and make it stupidly easy for recruiters and hiring managers to see you as the answer to a problem they already have. **Content:** # How to Get Hunted for Jobs, Not Just Apply for Them **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most people think [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) means chasing postings, tweaking a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), and praying someone notices. That’s the slow lane. If you want to be hunted, you have to flip the script and make it stupidly easy for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers to see you as the answer to a problem they already have. No fluff. No wishful thinking. Just the moves that make you attractive enough that they come to you. ## **Decide what you actually want** You cannot be hunted for “something in tech” or “a better opportunity.” That’s noise. People reach out when they can quickly connect your background to a specific need they understand. Pick a lane: role, level, and general industry focus. Stop worrying about every possible option and decide what you actually want to be known for. If you’re fuzzy, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) get fuzzy and keep scrolling. Clear signal in, targeted outreach out. ## **Fix your LinkedIn headline and About** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is where a lot of the hunting starts, so you can’t look like everyone else. A headline that says “Open to work” or “Looking for new opportunities” tells them nothing. You’ve used the most valuable text on your profile to say you’re unemployed. That doesn’t sell anything. Your headline needs to sell an outcome, not your state of mind. Think in terms of role plus results: what you do and what happens when you do it well. The About section then backs that up with a short, direct story: who you are, what problems you solve, and a few concrete wins that line up with the roles you expect to be contacted about. ## **Make your resume and profile easy to skim** No one is reading your life story. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) skim. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers skim. If they can’t see your value in a few seconds, they move on. That’s the reality. This means: - Clear job titles that match the market, not internal weirdness. - Bullet points focused on outcomes: numbers, improvements, changes. - Consistent language between your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) so they tell the same story. You’re not writing for an academic committee. You’re writing for busy people who might have 60 seconds to decide if you’re worth a call. ## **Show evidence of recent, relevant activity** You get hunted more when you look current and plugged in, not like someone who woke up after a five‑year nap. Activity matters. Post short, useful [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) about your work. Comment intelligently on industry topics. Share a quick lesson from a project, a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) you corrected, a pattern you’re seeing. You’re teaching the market how to think about you. The more visible you are around a specific set of problems, the more likely it is that someone with that problem decides you’re worth contacting. ## **Build a real network, not a contact list** Connections aren’t a trophy count. They’re distribution. The bigger and more relevant your network, the more likely your name shows up in searches and mutual connections. But just sending random requests isn’t the play. Connect with people in your lane: peers, a level or two above you, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who fill the kinds of roles you’d actually accept, and leaders in the companies or sectors you care about. Then stay lightly in touch. React to their updates. Share something useful once in a while. You’re keeping the relationship warm so when they hear of something, your name is already there. ## **Treat recruiters like partners, not obstacles** A lot of people complain about [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and then wonder why [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t help them. Here’s the truth: **good [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) remember the people who are easy to work with and clearly positioned.** That means you: - Answer messages promptly, even if it’s a “no” for now. - Are clear about what you want and what you don’t. - Follow through when you say you’ll send something or call back. You’re [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) them to think, “This person makes me look good when I present them.” Those are the people who get pulled into more searches and hear about roles before they hit the market. ## **Ask for referrals like an adult** Waiting for the universe to notice you is not a strategy. If you’ve done good work, there are people who can vouch for you. You need to make it easy for them. Reach out to former managers, peers, clients, and vendors. Be specific: “If you hear about someone needing X, Y, Z, I’d love to be on their short list.” You’re not begging. You’re planting a seed. The more clearly you describe what you want, the easier it is for people to match you with what they see in their world. ## **Keep your story consistent everywhere** If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) says one thing, your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) says another, and your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) answers drift all over the place, you look like a risk. Hunters look for patterns: role, industry, skills, impact. When your story lines up across everything—profile, [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), conversations—you look intentional. That consistency helps people trust that you know who you are professionally. Trust leads to introductions. Introductions lead to offers. This is how you start hearing, “I thought of you for something” instead of “We went in a different direction.” Getting hunted isn’t about being the loudest or the most “inspirational.” It’s about sending a strong, clear signal into the market: here’s who I am, here’s what I do, here’s the kind of problem I solve, and here’s proof. Do that well and consistently, and you’ll spend less time chasing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) and more time deciding which opportunities are actually worth your time. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Leads, Text **Tags:** How to Get Hunted for Jobs Not Just Apply for Them --- ### [What Happens If I Don't Give Them a Resume When Applying or Interviewing? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-happens-if-i-dont-give-them-a-resume-when-applying-or-interviewing-shorts/) **Published:** June 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it necessary to provide a CV when applying or interviewing for a job at a specific company? Are there any consequences for not providing one, or is it simply considered bad business etiquette? **Content:** # What Happens If I Don’t Give Them a Resume When Applying or Interviewing? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Is it necessary to provide a CV when [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) or [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a job at a specific company? Are there any consequences for not providing one, or is it simply considered bad business etiquette? ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Interviews, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** What Happens If I Don't Give Them a Resume When Applying or Interviewing? --- ### [24 Hours: The Tiny Change That Quadruples Your Interview Rate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/24-hours-the-tiny-change-that-quadruples-your-interview-rate/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3109 This show exposes the single, biggest mistake nearly every job seeker makes that guarantees their resume lands at the bottom of the pile. **Content:** # 24 Hours: The Tiny Change That Quadruples Your Interview Rate **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3109 This show exposes the single, biggest [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) nearly every job seeker makes that guarantees their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) lands at the bottom of the pile. Alright, let’s talk about something we’ve probably all gone through. You’re [applying for a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) online, right? You find the perfect one. You spend ages tweaking your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). You pour your heart into that [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). You finally hit submit. And then? Crickets. Just nothing. It has to be one of the most frustrating things about looking for a job today. You know that feeling, right? It’s like your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) just gets sucked into this giant black hole. You keep sending them out, one after another, and you can’t help but wonder, did a real human being even lay eyes on this? All that work, all that effort, and it just vanishes. Well, it turns out this is a real thing. People actually call it the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) black hole. It’s that digital abyss where all our [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) seems to disappear completely unseen. And think about it. We spend hours on this stuff. It’s not just a quick click. We’re crafting the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), trying to show exactly what we can do. And when you get total silence back, not even a thanks but no thanks email, man, that is just so demoralizing. In this chart, this pretty much sums up the brutal reality for so many of us. Look at this gap. We call it the effort versus reward gap. The bar for [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) sent is sky high. But the one for responses received, it’s tiny. It really does feel like you’re just shouting into the wind. But what if I told you there’s a way to completely flip that script? So the good news is there actually is a solution. And it’s not what you think. It’s not about sending out even more [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) or rewriting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for the 100th time. [***Use This 15-Minute Strategy to Land a Job (Even Before It’s Posted)***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oxP) Nope. It’s about a really simple but super powerful little trick. A filter that can honestly change the entire game for you. And believe it or not, it all comes down to this one number. 24. Seriously. This number, this is the key. It’s the key to escaping that black hole and finally, finally getting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in front of an actual person. So what is it? It’s called the 24-hour filter. And the strategy couldn’t be simpler. You only, and I mean only, apply to [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that have been posted in the last 24 hours. Now I know what you might be thinking. Wait, why would I limit my options like that? It sounds kind of backwards, right? But stick with me because there’s a brilliant reason why this works so well. Okay, so here’s the why. It’s all about something called the early applicant advantage. It really is all about timing. You know the saying, the early bird gets the worm. Well, in the world of online [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), that is a massive, massive understatement. Just imagine it like this. Think of it like going to a party. The person who applies on day seven, they’re showing up super late. The party is already packed, right? The host, that’s our [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), is totally swamped, juggling a million things. It’s almost impossible to stand out. But you, the applicant on day one, you’re one of the first people through the door. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is fresh, they’re engaged, they actually have the time and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) to pay attention to you. Suddenly, you’re not competing with 200 people. You’re competing with maybe 20. And really, that’s the whole idea right there. This isn’t some magic trick that guarantees you the job. Let’s be real. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Don’t Fill That Many Positions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-otq) What it does do is something maybe even more important. It all but guarantees that your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) will at least get read. You get your foot in the door. Okay, that all sounds great in theory, right? But how do you actually do it? Let’s get super practical for a second. I’m going to walk you through exactly how you can put this to work, like right now. And you’ll be [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to hear it is incredibly easy on pretty much any job site. Let’s take [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), for example. Step one, you do your normal search, project manager or whatever. Step two, you find the date posted filter. And step three, you just select past 24 hours. That’s it. A couple of clicks and boom, you’re ahead of the game. And honestly, that’s the beauty of this whole thing. This isn’t some massive, complicated strategy. You don’t have to completely change everything you’re doing. It’s just a tiny little tweak to your daily routine that can make a huge, huge difference in your results. So what’s the big takeaway here? It’s really about shifting your entire mindset. It means moving away from that spray and pray method of just sending your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) everywhere. Instead, you’re going to be targeted. You’re going to be strategic. So here’s the new playbook. First, we’re going to stop playing the numbers game. No more sending out hundreds of [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), hoping one sticks. Instead, we’re going to focus on freshness. Our number one priority is just getting our [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) seen. And the way we do that by being first in line every single time. Look, it really all boils down to this one question. The old way has you fighting for a tiny bit of attention in a huge, noisy crowd. But this way, this gives you a VIP pass right to the front. So the next time you fire up that [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), just ask yourself this. Why would I ever compete with the crowd when I can be first in line? ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, carer transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-owo)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Why So Many Interviews?**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouh)* **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ****[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)**** *You have permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applying for a Job, How to Get More Interviews, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** 24 Hours: The Tiny Change That Quadruples Your Interview Rate --- ### [LinkedIn Premium: Is It Worth It?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-premium-is-it-worth-it/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3107 I am frequently asked whether someone should become a LinkedIn Premium member. This is what I think. **Content:** # LinkedIn Premium: Is It Worth It? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** EP 3107 I am frequently asked whether someone should become a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) Premium member. This is what I think. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Don’t Fill That Many Positions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-otq) Okay, so if you’re a professional, you’ve probably stared at that little gold premium button on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) and asked yourself the big question, is this thing actually worth the money? It’s a question that comes up all the time. And today we’re going to break down a strategy to get a real answer for you without spending a single cent. I mean, this is the million dollar question, right? Whether you’re actively on the job hunt or you’re just trying to level up in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). It’s a tough call. You see all these promises about what it can do, but you’re wondering, yeah, but will it really deliver for me? We’re calling this the premium question. You know, that little moment of hesitation right before you’d have to pull out your credit card, but what if you could just skip all that uncertainty and go straight to clarity? Well, let’s walk through exactly how to do that. And Hey, if you’re asking this question, you are definitely not alone. Not by a long shot. This is one of the most common things people wonder about the platform, but the good news is there’s a really smart way to figure this out for yourself. And it doesn’t involve guessing or just trusting someone else’s review. The answer, my friends, lies in what I like to call an insider strategy. This isn’t about just clicking some random button you see on the site. It’s about being proactive to get exactly what you need, which is a totally risk-free test drive. Because at the end of the day, the only person who can really decide if premium is worth it for you is you. The absolute [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to know for sure is to just get your hands on it and try the features out for yourself. And that’s how long you get. A full 30 days to make up your mind. For free. Now here’s the key. You just have to contact [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) support and ask for a trial. 9 times out of 10, they’re [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to give you one. ***[Your Digital First Impression May Be Getting You Rejected](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-owo)*** Okay, so we’ve covered the what, get a free trial. Now let’s dive into the how. Here is a super simple, actionable playbook that you can follow to get this all set up. It really just boils down to three simple steps. First, you’re going to contact [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) support. Second, you just ask them straight up for a free trial. And third, now this is the pro move. You ask for a list of all the features that are included. Think of that list as your roadmap for the next 30 days. And you don’t need to cook up some elaborate story. You can say something as simple as this. Hey, I’m not real sure if premium is for me. I want to see what features are there. That’s it. It’s honest, it’s direct, and it works. All right, let’s fast forward. You’ve got your 30-day trial. Now what? Let’s get really specific and focus on the people who can probably get the most out of this. Job seekers. Here are the exact features you want to be test driving. So during your trial, you want to zero in on these. First, you get more in-mails. These are your golden ticket to directly message [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) managers. Then there’s profile [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), which is awesome for helping you tweak your profile for specific [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). And finally, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for job descriptions, which helps you pinpoint the exact skills [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are looking for. And just so we’re all on the same page, an in-mail is basically a superpowered direct message. It lets you skip the whole connection request thing and slide right into the inbox of almost anyone on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/). It’s a game changer when you’re [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Now, when you’re playing around with these [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools, just remember the goal. It’s all about tailoring your profile. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is there to help you find the skills and experience you already have that just aren’t being highlighted well enough. You’re optimizing, not making stuff up. So you’ve made it to the end of your 30 days. You’ve sent some in-mails. You’ve used the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools. You’ve gathered your data. Now it’s the moment of truth. Time to look at the results and make the call. And that’s really what this whole thing has been about. After 30 days of actually using the service, you’re the only one who knows if it’s worth it for [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), your goals, your wallet. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to think about this is like your own personal experiment. You are the scientist for 30 days. So what did your data show? Did you get more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)? Did you make better connections? Did it actually move the needle for you? That’s the only result that matters. So you’ve got the strategy and it costs you nothing. Your 30-day experiment is ready to go whenever you are. The only question left is what are you going to discover? *[**Why So Many Interviews?**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouh)* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, carer transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Critical Blind Spot in an Executive Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-okd) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[*Don’t Act Desperate!*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-osJ)*** *You have permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** LinkedIn Premium: Is It Worth It? --- ### [How to Use 15-Minute Micro-Sprints to Land Your Next Role](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-15-minute-micro-sprints-to-land-your-next-role/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn how to dismantle the "long game" and dominate the market in just 15 minutes a day. **Content:** # How to Use 15-Minute Micro-Sprints to Land Your Next Role **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Watch here***](https://youtu.be/wkf5ScGJhYI) Stop treating your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) like a marathon and start treating it like a series of tactical strikes. High-volume, low-intent [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) lead to [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/); precision micro-sprints lead to offers. Learn how to dismantle the “long game” and dominate the market in just 15 minutes a day. For professionals, the greatest threat to a successful [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is the paralyzing weight of the long game. Viewing a search as one massive, singular project leads to procrastination or the [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) of firing off high-volume, low-intent [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/). To maintain a high-level search while employed, you must deploy micro-sprints: 15-to-20-minute blocks of focused, high-intensity activity dedicated to a single function. Compartmentalizing your effort into these bursts allows you to make progress without the fatigue of constant context switching. The first function is the reconnaissance sprint. Instead of passively browsing job boards, you actively investigate a target company to find their specific strategic pain points. Set a 15-minute timer and scan a companyâ€TMs 10-K filing. Jumping straight to the risk factors section reveals friction keywords like “regulatory headwinds.” By the sprint’s end, write a single sentence defining the problem and root cause. This becomes your pitch foundation. Next is the semantic alignment sprint. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile are marketing assets that must be tuned to the knowledge clusters that AI-driven [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) are programmed to find. Use a 15-minute block to cross-reference your experience section against a specific job description and rewrite exactly three bullet points. This graphic illustrates the shift from listing daily duties to proving quantifiable outcomes. You move from a generic management claim to a specific result, like architecting a pipeline that reduced deployment errors by 18%. Executing these first two sprints aligns your data with the market’s current expectations. The third function is the digital handshake sprint. Standard [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) often fails because generic connection requests are easily ignored. This diagram breaks down a direct message structure that avoids asking for time. You spend 15 minutes analyzing a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager’s recent posts to draft a message that leads with a high-value observation. Injecting a contrarian view or a specific insight from your own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) signals that you are a peer providing value. The final phase is the authority signal sprint. The objective is to encourage algorithms to proactively serve your profile to headhunters. This mockup demonstrates how to cultivate that discovery. You spend 15 minutes replacing generic comments with mini-articles: structured responses that inject hard data points or [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) lessons into the posts of industry leaders. These high-resolution outreach sprints create points of professional contact with decision-makers before an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is ever submitted. Complexity and procrastination will stall [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) advancement. Viewing the search as a series of tactical strikes makes the process manageable. You are operating as a professional performing high-level market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and engagement. Commit to these 15-minute strikes for one week. You will generate more momentum than you would from dozens of hours of aimless browsing. Success in a modern job search requires advancing with precision. [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** How to Use 15-Minute Micro-Sprints to Land Your Next Role --- ### [What Do All Successful Athletes and Pros Have in Common?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter answers this and more. **Content:** # What Do All Successful Athletes and Pros Have in Common? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) answers this and more. (From the archives) Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and I coach people in organizations to play big. Now, the Olympics are on right now. Yay! And athletes from all over the world are competing for the gold medal. They’ll settle for silver, they’ll settle for bronze, they’ll swallow hard and enjoy that moment in the sun even though they did not win gold. But understand one thing about each and every one of them. None of them was an Olympic athlete when they started out. After all, when you think about it, every master started off as a disaster. You know, some of these athletes were very young and started practicing, and they were awful. But it meant a lot to them and they tried to get better. And now here they are at the ultimate moment in their lives to get the gold medal. Professional athletes, all of these people are talented. But talent isn’t enough, is it? There are a lot of extremely talented people who don’t always wind up getting the results that they want, right? Often, you know, talented people… well, I see any number of people who’ve showcased in clubs around New York in my life, and showcased in different places who are extremely talented, but they don’t get that opportunity to really shine on the big stage. And often, they’re going out themselves, they’ve got teachers, they’ve got advisors, and they’re not connecting. The greats all have a coach that they work with, the ones that really help them excel. Professional athletes all do, and not only that, they practice incessantly, right? You know, you tell me that, you know, the Super Bowl champions don’t practice relentlessly? They don’t practice all out? And what are you doing? Who’s helping you excel? You’ve plateaued, in all probability, and you’ve gotten complacent with where you are. There’s a part of you that’s given up excelling. [Hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a coach, whether it’s me or someone else. Get a coach to help you. Life is too short and, as I’ve said many times, a lifetime is not a long time. We like to think of ourselves as immortal, but, you know, that’s a foolish notion. During the time of your life, play big. Get out there. Get someone to work with you to spot your blind spots. Get [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) relentlessly. Try to improve yourself a little bit every day. If you did one-tenth of one percent per day about some aspect of your life that you’re unhappy with or you’re not completely satisfied with, you know, in a year, how much progress would you have made? I’m not going to do the math formula for you; go do it on your own. But, you know, your goal, your objective has to be to leave it on the table, leave it on the field when it’s time for you to pass. Coaching will help you do that, as it has for so many others. I want to encourage you to get a coach. If you’re interested in me, reach out to me. You can email me at jeffaltmancoach@gmail.com or visit my site, nobscoachingadvice.com, and get some encouragement while you’re there. And then after that, reach out to me. Let’s schedule a session, let’s get acquainted. I want to help you succeed by your measure of [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Have a great day. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No B. S. Coaching Advice **Tags:** professional sports, Solopreneur, The Olympics, What Do All Successful Athletes and Pros Have in Common? --- ### [Writing Resumes and Cover Letters with ChatGPT #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You can't just flip your AI-generated resume or cover letter to people. **Content:** # Writing Resumes and Cover Letters with ChatGPT #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/n79zoV8ciKQ) You can’t just flip your AI-generated [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) to people. ***[The Big Career Lesson from Top Gun: Maverick](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jfc)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** Writing Resumes and Cover Letters with ChatGPT #shorts --- ### [Jobs #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-jobs-2/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six-second video about the true nature of jobs. **Content:** # Jobs #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/S9Izb_1vi-0) A six-second video about the true nature of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). ***[A Free AI Cover Letter Generator from a Good Source](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-l2c)*** Don’t let them fool you. It isn’t a permanent position. It is a full-time job. [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) [***The Future of Jobs Report 2025: A Comprehensive Summary***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mpd) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Missing Ingredient in Most Resumes](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-442)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Jobs --- ### [No BS Career Advice: June 14 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-14-2026/) **Published:** June 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: June 14 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Desperation compromises your positioning Gemini_Generated_Image_h8ndw6h8ndw6h8nd](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Desperation-compromises-your-positioning-Gemini_Generated_Image_h8ndw6h8ndw6h8nd-1024x559.png) One of my last conversations on Friday afternoon was with a coaching client whom I met for one session. In that session, I provided him with advice on positioning himself in his [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as how to present himself effectively in video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). He told me that after that session, everything changed for him. He told me that he just finalized details for an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) he received and was starting on Monday. **One session made a difference. 30 Minutes.** Maybe I can do that for you. Last week, I announced I was offering “[**The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ)” at a discount, $0.99, for a limited time. This will be the last week for the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). after all, [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) isn’t about “banging your head against a wall” until it breaks. This week, I am adding, “[Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates: A Guide to Your First Post-Graduation Job Search](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZSZQTX)” for $0.99. Don’t let your son or daughter’s hard-earned, expensive education go to waste. “[Job Search Strategies for Recent Graduates](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DWKR72KK)” is the practical, no-nonsense guide they need to bridge the gap between graduation and gainful [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Forget generic advice – this book delivers targeted strategies, specifically designed for today’s competitive job market. ## The Stacking Principle: Why Average Skills in Oversupplied Markets Are Invisible [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) If you market yourself on a baseline capability like “project management,” “financial analysis,” or “software engineering,” you are functionally invisible. These are not differentiators. They are [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) skills in an oversupplied market. When thousands of people share your exact functional title and educational pedigree, the market treats you as an interchangeable cog. When a business has an abundance of options, it filters strictly on price or structural convenience, forcing you to compete in a race to the bottom. To break out of the [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/), you must stop selling individual ingredients. You need to stack your anomalies–the rare combinations of disjointed domains, specific operational histories, and baseline technical execution that define your [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). The goal is not to be a slightly better version of your peers; the goal is to become the only logical solution to a highly specific, high-stakes corporate friction point. ### 1. The Trap of the Linear Expertise Curve Most [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) development models push professionals down a linear path: if you are a marketer, become a better marketer; if you are an engineer, learn another language. This advice works beautifully in an undersupplied market where demand outpaces capacity. In an oversupplied market, it is a liability. Think about how standard [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advancement typically functions versus how you actually build a market monopoly. In a standard linear progression, you start with your core baseline skill and continuously try to add more of that same skill on top of it. You take more courses, hit more standard milestones, and check the same boxes as everyone else in your field. All this does is cement your status as an interchangeable cog in a massive corporate wheel. The Anomaly Stack completely breaks this model. Instead of stacking more of the same commoditized capability, you take your core baseline execution engine and intentionally layer an entirely disjointed domain and a specific operational anomaly directly on top of it. You are no longer multiplying standard compliance; you are engineering an unassailable market monopoly that makes you the only logical solution to a complex corporate crisis. As you climb the linear expertise curve, the marginal utility of your skill flattens out. The market will not pay a premium for a 10% improvement in your core function because it can buy an “adequate” version of that skill for a fraction of the cost. True market value is unlocked at the intersection of mismatched domains. ### 2. Identifying Your Anomalies An anomaly is any structural detail in your professional history that deviates from the standard linear path of your peer group. It is the thing that makes your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) look “weird” to a low-level corporate [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/), but makes you priceless to a line executive dealing with a multi-layered crisis. To map your stack, isolate assets across three distinct tiers: - **The Core Lever:** Your baseline execution engine (e.g., Data Architecture, Corporate Finance, Supply Chain). - **The Disjointed Domain:** A secondary capability completely outside your main function (e.g., Deep Behavioral Psychology, Distributed Ledger Technology, Predictive Margin Modeling). - **The Operational Anomaly:** The specific, high-velocity environment where you earned your scars (e.g., Hyper-growth post-Series B, rapid down-market restructuring, cross-border corporate integration). ### 3. Engineering the Stack for Maximum Leverage One skill is a [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). Two combined skills create a niche. Three stacked anomalies create a monopoly. Let’s look at how stacking transforms an invisible professional into a premium asset. Consider a senior finance director competing in an oversupplied market. If they lead with standard accounting and forecasting, they blend into a sea of thousands. - **The Linear Profile:** “Corporate Finance Director with 12 years of experience in budgeting, forecasting, and team leadership.” (Invisible. Fully commoditized.) - **The Anomaly Stack:** Combine Corporate Finance + Semantic Data Integration + Post-Acquisition Restructuring. - **The Monopolistic Frame:** “A financial operator specializing in mid-market software mergers. I integrate disparate, non-relational data systems from newly acquired entities into unified predictive margin models, protecting cash flow during rapid restructuring phases.” Look at what happened to the competition. By stacking the anomalies, this professional is no longer competing against every finance director on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). They are now competing only against the tiny handful of people who can write financial structures and manipulate raw data infrastructure during an active corporate merger. They have priced out the noise. ### The Bottom Line Stop trying to win an oversupplied game by doing more of the same. The market doesn’t reward general compliance; it rewards specialized leverage. Audit your history. Isolate the operational anomalies and disjointed domains you’ve accumulated over [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), and stack them directly on top of your core execution engine. Turn your profile into an uncopiable signature. When you anchor [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) in your [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), you stop chasing the market and force the market to chase you. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 This week, I am going to skip sharing blog content I released the previous week. It will return next week. --- If you want to go deeper into the ideas behind this article, download my book, “[**ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age.**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7)**”** --- People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** Branding, No BS Career Advice, Text --- ### [Is It OK to Follow Up If the Employer Said No Calls or Emails?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-follow-up-if-the-employer-said-no-calls-or-emails/) **Published:** June 16, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it appropriate to follow up on a job application via email if the employer specifically requested no phone calls or emails regarding status updates? **Content:** # Is It OK to Follow Up If the Employer Said No Calls or Emails? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/oMfHL_OQZrc) Is it appropriate to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) on a job [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) via email if the employer specifically requested no phone calls or emails regarding status updates? ***[Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI](https://amzn.to/4ehjAD5)*** [***How to Get More Networking Meetings Using ChatGPT***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k2z) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***How to Get Hired: A Millennial Recruiter’s Guide to Getting the Job You Want***](https://amzn.to/43s90UY) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Follow Up --- ### [High Leverage Careers 2026: How to Capitalize on Labor Shortages](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The national unemployment numbers are a lie hiding massive labor shortages in industries desperate for talent. **Content:** # High Leverage Careers 2026: How to Capitalize on Labor Shortages **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The national unemployment numbers are a lie hiding massive labor shortages in industries desperate for talent. If you want to dictate your pay, benefits, and schedule, you need to understand where the critical talent gaps are right now. This episode breaks down the raw reality of the tech, trade, and infrastructure sectors so you can stop wasting time and switch to a high-leverage [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). We will look at shortages in the US labor market and where there are opportunities. This chart highlights a sharp contradiction in the 2026 data. While national [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) figures look stable on one axis, the other shows massive, spiking job deficits isolated within specific industries. Looking at the baseline, the broader economy remains steady. As of April 2026, the national unemployment rate is holding at 4.3%. But beneath that average, specific sectors face massive shortfalls. Construction needs 349,000 new workers right now. Nursing has a projected gap of 64,000 professionals, and the global artificial intelligence sector is currently missing roughly 1.6 million qualified engineers. These numbers reflect a severe mismatch between the current workforce and required technical skills. The people looking for work often lack the specialized [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) these open roles demand. This shortage shifts the market leverage. When you hold the specific skills an employer needs to keep their business running, you gain the power to dictate your pay, your benefits, and your schedule. Pivot into one of these high-demand roles requires a serious commitment. Gaining this level of expertise involves a heavy investment of your time, your capital, and your mental [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). To capitalize on these shortages, you have to weigh that upfront cost against the long-term payoff. It comes down to identifying which path offers the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) return on investment for your personal risk tolerance. We will start with the heavy trades, focusing on roles like elevator mechanics, nuclear welders, and transmission linemen. The entry requirements are rigorous. You can expect to spend four to five years in demanding apprenticeships, followed by testing for niche certifications like an ASME stamp or NRC nuclear clearance. The daily reality involves harsh environments. You often work at extreme heights or in confined spaces, taking a physical toll that builds up over a 30-year [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). That physical sacrifice results in immediate financial leverage. Base salaries routinely reach $100,000 to $130,000, with overtime potential that can double those figures, all while avoiding student loan debt. Employer demand is driving these numbers. In the power sector, nearly 50% of the current lineman workforce is eligible to retire in the next decade, forcing companies into bidding wars to find replacements. The heavy trades tradeoff is a long-term exchange. You trade physical longevity and geographic stability for high-leverage, debt-free financial security. Next is the hypertech frontier, centered on the surge in demand for artificial intelligence engineers and cyber security professionals. The entry cost here is cognitive. You must commit to continuous, intense, self-directed learning to master rapidly evolving fields, like deploying neural networks and fine-tuning large language models. This sector currently faces a significant entry barrier. While tech companies have massive skill gaps, many refuse to train junior talent, holding out instead for senior specialists who can ship working code on day one. Overcoming that barrier unlocks elite compensation. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) engineers capable of building functioning models are currently securing $250,000 base salaries. This sector also offers unique lifestyle benefits. Because the talent pool is so small, companies frequently [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) absolute remote flexibility to stay competitive in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) market. The tech tradeoff replaces a relaxed work pace with a high-stress environment, where you must constantly update your skills to avoid becoming obsolete. Finally, we evaluate critical infrastructure role, specifically nursing, allied health professionals, and educators. The entry path is highly structured. You must complete traditional degree programs, pass state licensure exams, and navigate bureaucratic hurdles before you can begin [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). The daily operational reality in these fields is shifting toward technology. Medical and educational staff are now integrating advanced [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) workflow tools, and adapting to collaborative, team-based care models. This work requires high emotional endurance. You are managing rising patient and student needs, while working within stretched budgets and under-resourced legacy systems. The primary benefit of these licenses is absolute geographic freedom. Hospitals, clinics, and school districts in every zip code are actively [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/). Facilities are using significant sign-on bonuses to attract staff. Beyond the money, these roles provide a tangible sense of purpose that is difficult to find in other industries. The critical infrastructure tradeoff exchanges your daily emotional bandwidth and schedule stability for a deeply meaningful [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) that automation cannot replace. We can compare these paths using an effort versus impact framework, plotting the barrier to entry against the resulting earning leverage. The heavy trades have a high formal [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) barrier, but that investment leads directly to high earning leverage. The hypertech field has a lower formal degree barrier, but yields extreme earning leverage for those who can prove their technical expertise. Critical infrastructure sits in the center. It requires a moderate barrier to entry and yields moderate financial leverage, but provides total job stability. If you are looking for high income without a degree, the heavy trades [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a path to wealth in exchange for a physical toll. If you are focused on rapid technical mastery, the tech sector offers outsized [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) leverage and location independence for those who can navigate the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) competition. If you prioritize long-term security, healthcare and education [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) an untouchable [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path in exchange for high emotional effort. Every high-leverage [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in 2026 requires a significant upfront cost. Success in a pivot relies on choosing the specific cost you are willing to bear. There’s a lot more to help you at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. ## ***[“From Paycheck to Purpose”](https://youtu.be/_d_LtsW-lGg)*** ### ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) easier. Those things![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) Website: [https://](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/)[w](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/) (schedule a paid coaching session, a free strategic advisory call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses, Books, Guides and Coaching: [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Text, The Job Market **Tags:** High Leverage Careers 2026: How to Capitalize on Labor Shortages --- ### [What To Tell The Agency Recruiter to Work for You](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** An agency recruiter is representing you to their client. What can you tell them to motivate them to push for you and the offer you want? **Content:** # **What** To Tell The Agency Recruiter to Work for You **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** An agency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is representing you to their client. What can you tell them to motivate them to push for you and the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) you want? [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) I was working with someone recently and they were about to talk to an [agency recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/questions-to-be-prepared-to-answer-with-the-agency-recruiter-jobsearchtv-com/) about money. Now, I’ll simply say that. If you’d be interested in my helping you with a negotiation, if you have here enough from this that you think I could help as I have for many others, connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) act [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/theBigGameHunter and ,once we’re connected, message me and tell me that you are interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you through the negotiation, willset up a time to speak. Now, back to the scenario. It was a situation where they’re about to have the money conversation with the agency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Now, you’ve got to know that agency [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) atmoments like that are salivating because, frankly, they’re in a situation where they’re seeing the commission check coming and they hate the notion of negotiating because they are fearful that their client is going to just say, “no..” So, knowing that, as I was working with this person. I said, “you know, there’s a couple of different ways that you can approach this,” and I kind of staged the scenario for them. This is what I told them. The starting point to your negotiation with them is to say this. ready?these are magic words, ready? “If you can get me this, I’ll accept the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) instantly and set up the start date.” You start with that. So there’s no back and forth. For the agency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), they suddenly have something that they can target that they know they can get the results that they want and thus they can go to the mat for you .Now, from there. If for some reason it doesn’t workout, you turn around and watch my video or listen to my podcast called, “The Easiest Way to [Negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) a Higher [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) for Yourself.” Follow that strategy as the back up to this so that, in this way, you make them squirm and make them feel uncomfortable and make them run to their client and fear that they’re going to lose the deal. So, the first thing is to be crystal clear.. “If you can get me X number of dollars, I’ll [accept the offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-offer-acceptance-email/) and set up the start date.” Real straightforward and then go to “[The Easiest Way to Negotiate a Higher Salary for Yourself.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-easiest-way-to-negotiate-a-higher-salary-for-yourself/)” Do a [Google search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/40-google-search-hacks-tricks-tips-for-2021-infographic/) for it or aYouTube search. It has a lot of views to it. ***[Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI](https://amzn.to/4ehjAD5)*** [***How to Get More Networking Meetings Using ChatGPT***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k2z) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***How to Get Hired: A Millennial Recruiter’s Guide to Getting the Job You Want***](https://amzn.to/43s90UY) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Recruiters, Text --- ### [How to Negotiate Salary Through a Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter explains the dirty little secret of working with a recruiter and how to negotiate salary when you are being represented by one. **Content:** # How to Negotiate Salary Through a Recruiter **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains the dirty little secret of working with a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and how to negotiate [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) when you are being represented by one. Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and I want to talk with you about negotiating [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) when you’re working through a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Now, most of the time, I’m a big advocate of working with a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to find the position. Why? Frankly, a couple of things. The relationship with the employer that greases the skids for you getting in the door and number two, the ease from your standpoint. After all, they handle all your scheduling, handle all the peripheral nonsense and deflect it from you where your inexperience can distract you from the process from seeing the employer as they should [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/). But when it gets to [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation, there’s an interesting dynamic and that is the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) smells blood in the water, the blood being their fate and their job is to close the deal. That’s true whether it’s a retained [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) or a contingency [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/). The retained firm will talk very nicely and say, you know, well, they won’t even address it. They’ll dismiss it as nonsense but it’s, you know, everyone’s working to make a living and this isn’t social work. So, ultimately, they’re trying to close the [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) and get the position filled just like the contingency firm. So, the tendency is to push and bully very nicely or very aggressively the candidate into taking what the employer offers. I wish it weren’t true but, you know, statistics tell me this. Not the way I work. I really do try and make a match on the money but most [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t. After all, at the end of the day, you’re the one transaction and they’re going to try and work with that employer for many years to come. So, their natural tendency is to try and squeeze you rather than squeeze the employer. Now, when you’re working through a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), it’s important, just like it is when you’re negotiating with an employer directly, to know what your real value is. Now, sometimes your numbers may be wrong. Now, you’re talking to friends who are shooting from the hip and don’t really have any data. So, you need to know your data and to understand that the data reflects a range. So, I’ll give an example. You’re looking at a job that’s 130 to 150 or if you’re a lower level individual, 60 to 70 thousand or an even higher level individual, 4 to 425. Okay? It’s human nature to only hear the top number. 70,000, 150, 425 and focus in on that number and if you’re offered a dime less to say, hey, how come I didn’t get all the money? After all, my value is whatever it is. At the end of the day, you want to be in the range and you want to drive it up as high as possible. So, when you’re working with the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), you have to say things to him or her along the lines of they’ve come in a touch low and I’m frankly disappointed and I have other things going on that will come in at a better number than this. Why don’t you circle back and see if they’ll improve it. They’ll try and probe more and, from their standpoint, if the contingency [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is panicked, then the retained [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), I’m not going to project on them. I’ll just simply say that they’re going to try and push a little bit harder on the employer to up the number. Without that, you’re basically going to be stuck with with the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), the headhunter, the search professional who’s going to be trying to push you into that box of the number rather than trying to have them push back at the employer in a diplomatic way. You need to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to walk away from the situation if you take this strategy. I want to be absolutely clear about that because they may say she’s not going to take it or he’s not going to take it unless you up the money. You know, in the example of the senior execs, I’ve said from day one, 425 and, you know, they’ve come in at 415. I believe my value is 425 and the ten thousand dollar difference I’m going to make for them many times over in the course of my work. If they don’t see the value, then this isn’t the right place for me and with that, you’ve thrown the gauntlet down to say, I’m [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to walk away unless they hit my number. Eight times out of ten, they’re going to hit the number. If they aren’t, they’re being foolish and you don’t want to join a company populated with fools. For the hundred for the person looking at that job at 130 to 150, where you zero in on 150, you’re making 125. You’re probably not going to get to the 150 but you’ve got to push them up a little bit. So, again, you circle back to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). This is true of the 60 to 70 thousand dollar job, as well. You circle back to the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and very calmly say, they’ve come in a bit short. I’ve got other things going on. This is a market where I can land and I prefer it being there but, you know, if they don’t value me sufficiently, then I’ll be very [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) at this next place I’m talking to. And by doing that, you’re going to force them to earn their check and earn their fee. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, do something that lets people know that it was worthwhile. Then, come over to TheBigGameHunter.us. Watch my videos, read my content, listen to my podcasts, download free copies of some of my books. Pay what you want for them. I shouldn’t say it’s free. I prefer if you paid something for them but if you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it. So, there’s a lot of content to help you with [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). So, come over to TheBigGameHunter.us and go exploring. Also, I want to encourage you to connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). My page there is [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com forward slash IN forward slash TheBigGameHunter. I accept connection requests from people worldwide, except if you’re a third-party [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) or in a country known for scams or spam. And finally, if your current firm is trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone, send me an email at the address below. Let me know who to contact and whether I should mention your name. I’d love to help you firm staff positions. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care! ***[5 Quick Brainteasers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-djC)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Career Coach Office Hours: June 18, 2024***](https://youtube.com/live/C32TzHzzwbw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to negotiate the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Salary/Comp Negotiation **Tags:** How to Negotiate Salary Through a Recruiter --- ### [Resumes #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-resumes-3/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A short video about resumes. **Content:** # Resumes #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/R-e55I4gR7Y) A short video about [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). ***[The Missing Ingredient in Most Resumes](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-442)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) [***The Future of Jobs Report 2025: A Comprehensive Summary***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mpd) He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** resume advice, resume tips, resumes --- ### [How to Use AI for Networking Arbitrage](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode delivers a strategic blueprint on how to turn machine intelligence into an analytical asset **Content:** # How to Use AI for Networking Arbitrage **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Sending out endless [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) only to face absolute silence isn’t a problem with your qualifications; it’s a failure to scale attention in a system built to ignore you. Standard [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) scripts and generic [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) blast emails have become background noise to top [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/). This episode delivers a strategic blueprint on how to turn machine intelligence into an analytical asset that uncovers company friction points, mirrors executive language, and earns you peer-level respect before you ever hit send. You have the qualifications, you’ve put in the work, you hit send, and you hear absolute silence. When a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) stalls, the bottleneck is rarely your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). The problem is an inability to scale attention in a system designed to ignore you. Pointing out a shared university or a mutual third-degree connection used to work. Today, those are baseline pleasantries. They have lost their power as strategic catalysts. Because everyone has access to automated, AI-generated mass emails, the standard cold pitch carries zero weight. Applicants are trapped in a volume game where standard outreach is treated as noise. To break through, you have to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) differently. This is [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) arbitrage, using machine intelligence as an analytical engine to map a company’s internal friction points before you ever initiate contact. Shifting from an automation for volume mindset to an analytical leverage mindset provides a distinct advantage when trying to capture an executive’s attention in a crowded digital market. Leaders are public-facing entities. They leave massive data trails across quarterly investor calls, industry panels, and white papers. This diagram represents the delta, the gap between market promises and infrastructure reality. Feed their public commentary into a language model. Prompt it to act as an institutional investor, isolating top operational risks. Finally, cross-reference these risks with your core expertise to generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction they face. Leading with this targeted insight reframes the dynamic, positioning you as an advisor identifying a blind spot rather than an applicant seeking an opening. Sending that insight to an HR professional often wastes your momentum. Talent acquisition teams are trained to filter for historical compliance, matching task titles to current openings, rather than evaluating forward-looking strategic utility. You need to reach your future peer, the line executive who actually owns the budget and feels the daily pain of that operational gap. [***Networking Arbitrage: Using AI to Map Value Before You Message***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-p8h) To find them, extract the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile text of five leaders who successfully transitioned into your target domain during a market contraction. Run this data through your [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model to isolate the hidden common denominators in their background. Ask specifically for the vocabulary they use to describe their wins and the exact inflection points that preceded their promotions. Take those semantic markers and use them to filter your second-degree network. When you draft your message, you will automatically mirror the internal vocabulary of their executive suite. Speaking this internal language helps you navigate past automated filters and demonstrates a familiarity with the company’s specific operational environment. The human brain easily detects synthetic text, over-index on words like synergy, delighted, or transformative, and your message gets mentally flagged as spam. Apply the 80-20 rule of production. Let [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) do the heavy cognitive lifting, the data aggregation, and trend analysis, but reserve the final 20% of execution entirely for your authentic human voice. Run your draft through one final tonal audit. Tell the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to strip out all corporate boilerplate and generic filler. Force it to shorten sentences and adopt the clinical brevity of a wartime CEO. Your command of data hygiene is an explicit indicator of your judgment. Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools to unearth unlisted personal cell phone numbers doesn’t signal resourcefulness, it signals a liability. Keep your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) strictly to public signals. Never input proprietary metrics, unannounced financial data, or sensitive structures from a former employer into a public model to build your case studies. A leader who compromises data security to secure an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) will not be trusted with an enterprise budget. Sticking to public signals proves you have the judgment required to handle a professional P&L. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) this methodology systematically changes the power dynamic of the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). AI-driven [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is an exercise in leverage. It is about arriving at an understanding of the challenges a company is facing faster than your competition can. Grounding your outreach in this way creates strategic alignment, making the resulting [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) conversation a logical next step based on the value you’ve already demonstrated. To upgrade [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) strategies and implement tactics like these, head over to jobsearch.community. You can become an insider to get direct coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), plus access to a full library of video courses, books, guides, and services designed to give you a structural edge. If this approach helped you rethink your outreach, please share this video, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel to help other professionals navigate their search. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Networking, Text **Tags:** How to Use AI for Networking Arbitrage --- ### [Interview Red Flags: Resistance to Change](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Change is often met with resistance, even from those who claim to want it. **Content:** # Interview Red Flags: Resistance to Change **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Open positions exist because organizations need to evolve — whether it’s building better products, creating efficiencies, attracting clients, or improving team performance. However, change is often met with resistance, even from those who claim to want it. A client of mine found this out the hard way when he was hired to overhaul a company’s customer support department. Despite being brought in specifically to implement change, the higher-ups weren’t on board, and his efforts were ultimately blocked. David’s boss’s boss was the primary obstacle. Despite [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) him to make improvements, she became defensive when those changes didn’t align with her outdated ideas. In one of his [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), she hinted at her reluctance by stating, “I may have opinions about this \[function\], since I used to do this years ago.” Although this didn’t immediately [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) any alarms for David, it should have. A [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) question such as, “How do you handle differing viewpoints?” might have exposed her real attitude toward change. More insight could have been gleaned from her body language or by seeking input from her colleagues about how she dealt with opposing ideas. ***[4 Interview Red Flags](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv18R-ERNY8)*** The real problem was that this manager’s experience in the customer support department was decades old. Technology and processes had evolved since then, but she clung to outdated practices that no longer worked. She overruled David’s modern, efficient strategies in favor of methods from the 1980s. The result? A demoralizing work environment where every day felt like an uphill battle. David’s efforts to improve the department were constantly blocked, and innovation was stifled by a mindset stuck in the past. This situation isn’t unique. As [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) Stokes points out, some [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers “just don’t have an improvement mindset. They may be so old school that they just want to maintain the status quo.” These managers aren’t necessarily malicious, but their inability to embrace change can severely limit the progress of the very teams they’re supposed to lead. That’s why it’s crucial to pay attention during [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Red flags like a rigid attachment to outdated practices can be subtle, but they’re there if you listen closely. When [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a new role, it’s essential to ask probing questions that reveal how decision-makers respond to change and different opinions. This can save you from stepping into an environment where your innovative ideas will be met with resistance rather than embraced. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2024 [***Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search as an Experienced Professional***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lt6) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[The Billion-Dollar Staffing Mistake](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acz)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[The Billion Dollar Mistake in Hiring Part II](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-acE)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Red Flags, Text **Tags:** Interview Red Flag: Resistance to Change --- ### [How to Use Perplexity AI to Find Open Job Roles](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-perplexity-ai-to-find-open-job-roles/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact mechanics to make Perplexity AI map open roles to your background and pull the LinkedIn profiles of the decision-makers. **Content:** # How to Use Perplexity AI to Find Open Job Roles **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop wasting hours tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) just to throw it into an online applicant tracking black hole. This episode breaks down the exact mechanics to make Perplexity [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) map open roles to your background and pull the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles of the decision-makers. If you want to stop filling out blind web forms and start pitching real human beings, this is how you do it. You spend hours tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), only to watch it vanish into the silent void of online [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) portals. In the next 6 minutes, you will learn how to use Perplexity [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to bypass that line entirely, and pinpoint open [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) that match your exact experience. Even better, we will force the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to identify the specific [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager for each role, giving you a direct point of contact. To execute this, you need three things: a free Perplexity account, a finalized [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), and an open tab on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). By moving away from blind online submissions, you regain control over your job hunt through targeted, direct [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). Navigate to perplexity.ai. You will notice its interface is built strictly for clean, immediate search. Look at this attach file icon right inside the search bar. Click it and upload your finalized [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). While Perplexity excels at live internet parsing, it cannot read your mind. It requires highly rigid instructions to operate as your specialized [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/). We start by building a master prompt. The first phase commands the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to search for open job postings that explicitly fit the data in your attached [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). The second phase instructs the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to read every single job posting it finds, and extract organizational indicators regarding the leadership structure. The third phase demands an X-ray search of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) uses those data points to locate exact profile links for those suspected leaders. This text on screen is the complete master prompt: Ask it to search for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) fitting the attached [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), look for indicators of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager, conduct an X-ray search of [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for their profile, and present back a list of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) with a match [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) level and the manager’s link. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) these exact constraints turns a basic chatbot into an automated targeted [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) assistant. Hit enter, and the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) immediately generates a prioritized list of specific open roles, tailored precisely to your background. Next to each job, you will see a match [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) score. The system calculates these percentages by weighing your specific [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) experience against the stated requirements of the role. To verify how it reached these conclusions, click the thinking drop-down. This reveals the transparent mechanics of the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) sourcing its data in real time. You will notice it relies heavily on the X-ray search to bypass standard limitations found within LinkedIn’s native search engine. This diagram shows how an X-ray search works. Adding the operator `site:linkedin.com/in` forces the engine to block standard websites and isolate professional profiles. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) then cross-references these profiles against internal indicators found in the original job descriptions. Understanding this back-end logic allows you to trust the data and confidently verify the reasoning behind the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) selections. The final output gives you a specific name and direct hyperlink to the likely [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. Be aware of the first potential failure point. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is making a highly educated guess and it successfully identifies the exact boss about 50% of the time. However, even when it misses the direct manager, it reliably points you to senior team members in the right department, who can act as powerful internal [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). Looking at this generated [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, you must manually verify their location, department, and active status before initiating any contact. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) automates the heavy lifting of discovery, but your human verification remains the required final step before you start [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). You now have a complete toolkit: a curated list of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/), [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) scores to prioritize your [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), and direct links to actual decision-makers. You are fully equipped to stop [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) blindly and start [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) intelligently. For more strategies to navigate [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), visit JobSearch.Community. There, you can access insider coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), comprehensive video courses, books, and standalone products designed to accelerate your search. Please like, share, comment, and follow the channel to ensure this methodology reaches other job seekers who need it. [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of luck in your search. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** How to Use Perplexity AI to Find Open Job Roles --- ### [Career Advice for New Grads: What Experts Say](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-advice-for-new-grads-what-experts-say/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you were giving advice to someone who was graduating from college today and had to look for a job, what advice would you give them? **Content:** # Career Advice for New Grads: What Experts Say **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** I worked in [recruiting](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23recruiting&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) for a long time before transitioning to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). I can’t remember many graduating classes that were optimistic about their prospects of [finding a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) after graduation. Heck, even in the movie “The Graduate,” the young Dustin Hoffman didn’t know what he wanted to do after he graduated. It’s one of the reasons the advice he receives, “plastics. Go into plastics,” is as funny as it was. If you were giving advice to someone who was graduating from college today and had to look for a job, what advice would you give them? **[Alex Freund](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexfreund-interviewcoach/):** Great question, [Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter/). It is one I often hear about nowadays. You’re right, grads have always faced some uncertainty, but 2025 throws a pretty tricky curveball. Even though unemployment is historically low overall, youth unemployment is hovering around 10%, and competition is fierce. Here is my advice: Stay open to industries or roles you haven’t considered. Sometimes, detours lead to surprisingly great destinations. Upskilling now is appropriate. Whether certifications, micro-credentials, or learning new tools, investing in your skill set keeps you competitive and confident. [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) opens doors through personal connections. Don’t hesitate to reach out, ask for intros, or join professional groups. You can think short-term for now. Part-time or contract work might not be the dream, but it’s a way to stay active, gain experience, and be ready when full-time opportunities open. I am sure there are several other good ones, but I couldn’t think of them now. Let’s see what our other friends say about this critical topic. **[Marty Gilbert](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martygilbert/): [Jeff](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter/)… great movie.** If I was giving advice to someone looking for their very first job out of school, I would recommend that they go through some type of an assessment to understand what their interests are versus what their strengths are. And understand where the two overlap so that you could start to get a sense for what kind of a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path you might want to pursue. Too often people come right out of school and simply apply to almost anything hoping that they can get something quickly. But it may not end up being something that they’re [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) with longer-term. I am sure there are several other good ones, but I couldn’t think of them now. Let’s see what our other friends say about this critical topic. If I was giving advice to someone looking for their very first job out of school, I would recommend that they go through some type of an assessment to understand what their interests are versus what their strengths are. And understand where the two overlap so that you could start to get a sense for what kind of a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path you might want to pursue. Too often people come right out of school and simply apply to almost anything hoping that they can get something quickly. But it may not end up being something that they’re [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) with longer-term. **My response: [Marty Gilbert](https://www.linkedin.com/in/martygilbert/) great advice. I might say multiple assessments to look for multiple overlaps** **[Jeff](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter/)… in fact, some [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools could be a great free way to get started** **[Jeff](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter/)… Even Perplexity and [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) can be effectiBenjamin never did get into plastics, but he sure got into…”And here’s to you Mrs. Robinson…”** **Which leads me to the second worst song ever recorded: The Frank Sinatra version of “Mrs. Robinson.” Listen to it at your own risk. (I warned you) ve when given the right kind of prompts** **[Eric Buntin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-buntin/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3BMrU5r3%2FLQoqctSwdBQgs7Q%3D%3D):** Be tech savy — either consider an emerging or growing tech role OR know those that can lean into and heavily leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and machine learning. Eric Buntin being tech knowledgeable is an essential skill for everyone, especially with [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) becoming prevalent **[Nancy Aaronson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancykrullaronson/):** I’d say don’t go to college; learn a trade instead. There’s a grant-funded Advanced Manufacturing boot camp coming up soon at Bergen Community College. IMO, there will be fewer middle man [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that college trains people for. **[Terrence H. Seamon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrence-seamon/): If the movie The Graduate were updated for today, the character who recommended plastics would say “AI. Go into [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/).”** ### **[Al Smith “the HIRED guy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alsmithhired/)** Benjamin never did get into plastics, but he sure got into…”And here’s to you Mrs. Robinson…” Which leads me to the second worst song ever recorded: The Frank Sinatra version of “Mrs. Robinson.” Listen to it at your own risk. (I warned you) ### **[Kathryn Stoehr](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-stoehr-03b6821?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3BKlWNS4tKRFOJi0Vb8cN06g%3D%3D):** It may sound simple enough, but start with the goal. Visualize where you see yourself today, and 5-10 years from now. Look at what jobs are available on job boards that have acceptable salary/location/interest, then tailor your education and update your resume for the jobs that most interest you. This is common sense that a lot of young people overlook. [Kathryn Stoehr](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-stoehr-03b6821/) Thanks for adding your voice. I’ll add that is the starting point. However, it’s important to pay attention to trends and changes that should cause a change of plan. Thanks for adding your voice. I’ll add that is the starting point. However, it’s important to pay attention to trends and changes that should cause a change of plan. Agreed. Some [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) available today may go away in a few years. The way I explain it to teenagers is in terms of fashion (a well fitted favorite pair of jeans can last for years but something trendy may go out of style next season). Choose what you like, based on what you see on job boards, then get the skills and education to get that job. Meanwhile always be cognizant of “trendy” [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), such as [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) which is the rage now. # ***[Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want](https://amzn.to/4vBvHBQ)*** ### Rohit Sarkar: It would be ‘Clarity’. Be clear about – What you want to do. – What you can do – Why and how you’re gonna do it. Good idea AND it is easier to think about what you don’t want to do first [David Schuchman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschuchman/) Great question, Jeff, Tagging on to the good suggestions of the others, I would also advise new graduates to set up and attend informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). People new to working full time in their industry of study or interest need to learn as much as possible from people that have experience. [Hope (Lovell) Newman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hopelovellnewman/): I would say look inside before you look outside. Without understanding your own strengths, skills, values, and personality, it’s hard to find a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) that will be satisfying. [***Break a Rule and Lead Your Life***](https://youtu.be/L3iCB8GxU5g) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). **Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) on YouTube and No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts,** ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** College Grads, Text **Tags:** Career Advice for New Grads: What Experts Say --- ### [What Leaders Do #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-leaders-do-no-bs-leadership-advice-shorts/) **Published:** June 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Brian Tracy defines the difference between leaders and followers. **Content:** # What Leaders Do #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/MyvoJGiQl0I) Brian Tracy defines the difference between leaders and followers. ![What Leaders Do](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/What-leaders-do-1024x1024.webp) [***Decisions***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6D) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) podcasts with more than 3000 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts** ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Leadership, Quotes **Tags:** What Leaders Do --- ### [Going on an Interview? In a Bad Mood? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Here's what to do to change your mood. **Content:** # Going on an Interview? In a Bad Mood? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/4mcyfeXCXWU) Here’s what to do to change your mood. ![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/bad-mood-holiday-ruined-by-traffic-jam_t20_8lRzo6-twenty20-300x200.jpg) ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Over 50? Over 60? Job Hunting? Never Forget This***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cGW) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews **Tags:** Going on an Interview? In a Bad Mood? --- ### [Don't Upload Your Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-upload-your-resume-to-your-linkedin-profile-shorts/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I see this mistake too often and it can cost you interviews and jobs **Content:** # Don’t Upload Your Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/i6NB2VxosNc) I see this [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) too often and it can cost you [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). ***[The Missing Ingredient in Most Resumes](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-442)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) [***The Future of Jobs Report 2025: A Comprehensive Summary***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mpd) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn, Mistakes **Tags:** Don't Upload Your Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile --- ### [Is It Acceptable to Combine Two Similar Jobs Into One Listing on a Resume?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-acceptable-to-combine-two-similar-jobs-into-one-listing-on-a-resume/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it acceptable to combine two similar jobs into one listing on a resume? **Content:** # Is It Acceptable to Combine Two Similar Jobs Into One Listing on a Resume? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/2NQLckRcQc4) Is it acceptable to combine two similar [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) into one listing on a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Is It Acceptable to Combine Two Similar Jobs Into One Listing on a Resume? --- ### [What's Keeping My Boss From Seeing My Cover Letter, Resume and Work Samples Online?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) **Published:** June 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What's preventing employers from noticing your resume, cover letter, and work samples? **Content:** # What’s Keeping My Boss From Seeing My Cover Letter, Resume and Work Samples Online? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/TypLHG2qayk) What’s preventing [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) from noticing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-better-if-my-cover-letter-is-informal-shorts/), and work samples? [***Why Doesn’t LinkedIn Rank Recruiters?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mo3) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** What's Keeping My Boss From Seeing My Cover Letter Resume and Work Samples Online? --- ### [Recruiters and Cover Letters #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-and-cover-letters-shorts/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Recruiters read a ton of cover letters. **Content:** # Recruiters and Cover Letters #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Vkpjk8diGoU) [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) read a ton of [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/). [***10 Steps to Becoming a Subect Matter Expert on LinkedIn***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eLp) [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. ### *work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Cover Letters, Recruiters **Tags:** Recruiters and Cover Letters --- ### [So Why Should I Hire You?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/so-why-should-i-hire-you-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter explains how to answer that tough interview question, "So why should I hire you?" **Content:** # So Why Should I Hire You? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to answer that tough [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) question, “So why should I [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you?” ***[When a Manager Doesn’t Intervene](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lv6)*** I want to talk with you that that tough [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) question, “So, why should I [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you?” This is actually the core question that [every interviewer or employer is asking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-key-to-answering-every-brainteaser-you-are-asked-on-an-interview/) themselves as they are trying to make a decision between the different choices. Even if they don’t ask you this outwardly, I am going to give you tactic for introducing it to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) at that very and. So, here’s how to basically answer that question. “So, why should I [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you? Well, from what you tell me about the position, you’re looking for someone with such and such type of background. This is what I’ve done along those lines.”. Then, you kind of review your [experience for them that fits](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-does-your-experience-fit-this-position/) that description. Then, you continue by saying, “and the other [thing that I bring to this job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/scary-things-job-hunters-do-the-halloween-episode/) is the motivation and drive to succeed within your organization.” If you’re in sales, you can talk about how you, as a salesperson, stepped into a dying function and helped turn it around. If you managed the sales function, you could talk about how you helped an organization achieve numbers that never been achieved before within their organization. You can do stuff along those lines. If you’re in operations-oriented, you can talk about how you stabilized an organization and help them make money or save money from the role that you were in. Quantify it in terms of numbers. How much did you help them make? How much did you help them save in your role? Think in that way. So, that’s how to answer it in the direct question. Often is not a question that is asked but at the end of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you might be asked something along the lines of, “So, is there anything else?” or if they haven’t asked that question and are about to wrap up, you can say, “Would you mind if I just covered one more thing with you?” They will say, “Sure!” You’ll have an answer [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) for them that [lasts 2 minutes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-interview-question-about-the-last-minute-change/). “So, the question that you’re asking yourself is probably, “So, why should I [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you? What’s going to be different about you than the other [people that I am meeting with](https://thebiggamehunter.us/final-interviews-finish-this-sentence-most-people-i-meet-are-jobsearchtv-com/), many of whom are quite qualified?” Again, review your background that fits the job as they described it to you and then continue by saying, “and I am motivated.” Then, you talk about your motivation and how it’s played itself out in previous organizations and how you helped that organization in the past make money or save money and how much and talk about how you want to do it for this firm. [***Remember These Pointers When Writing Your New Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bYI) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Text, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** So Why Should I Hire You?, Why Should We Hire You? --- ### [Targeting PE Operating Partners](https://thebiggamehunter.us/targeting-pe-operating-partners/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode delivers the exact strategy to bypass corporate gatekeepers and position yourself directly in front of the private equity partners **Content:** # Targeting PE Operating Partners **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are an executive waiting for traditional [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to find your next role, you are losing money every day. Standard [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) work to manage risk for giant corporations, not to find the perfect fit for your specific operational skill set. This episode delivers the exact strategy to bypass corporate gatekeepers and position yourself directly in front of the private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) partners who have the real power to hire you. [***Getting a Job in Private Equity: Behind the Scenes Insight into How Private Equity Funds Hire***](https://amzn.to/4uR3maM) If you’re an executive with a strong track record of actually fixing broken operations, you’ve probably spent months trying to get on the radar of the big [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), only to find your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) tossed aside because it didn’t perfectly match their current openings. Traditional [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) operate entirely by checking boxes. If your past industry vertical doesn’t look exactly like the one they’re [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) for right now, they won’t put you forward. The hard truth is that these [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t work for you. They work to manage risk for their giant corporate clients. Finding the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) possible role for your specific skill set is not their primary objective. Sitting passively in a recruiter’s database comes with a heavy cost. While you wait for a perfect match, you are missing out on the fastest-growing [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) market for elite talent: private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies. Relying on traditional HR gatekeepers guarantees you remain a piece of paper in a slow queue, rather than an active dealmaker securing a high-stakes role. Private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) operates in an entirely different reality. When a PE firm acquires a mid-market company, they run on a strict three-to-five-year timeline to scale the business and sell it. That compressed timeline creates massive financial pressure. These investors cannot afford to wait 6 to 12 months for a traditional retained [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) to run its course. This diagram shows the core conflict. On top, you have the slow, 12-month corporate [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) pipeline. On the bottom, a private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) holding period, where every week an acquired company spends without a proven leader means cash is actively draining away. They need immediate EBITDA growth. While a traditional search stalls in endless screening rounds, the private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firm is losing capital. They need someone inside that business today to protect their investment. The solution is clear: to land these unlisted roles, you have to bypass the slow talent acquisition professionals entirely. You need to go straight to the strategic architects of the PE firm—the operating partners. In the private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) ecosystem, your speed to impact is vastly more valuable than your ability to pass a bureaucratic HR screening. This chart shows how the traditional [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) model compares to direct outreach to an operating partner across three critical metrics. Let’s look at pacing. A traditional [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) moves at a slow corporate pace. An operating partner operates on what we call the urgency vector. The urgency vector means if you identify a problem costing them money and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a fix today, they will build a position around you by tomorrow. ***[The Glocap Guide To Getting A Job In Private Equity](https://amzn.to/4xdBMWP)*** Next is authority. Traditional searches are bound by rigid HR compliance. Operating partners use the authority lane. They have the absolute power to bypass standard protocols and drop you directly into the C-suite without waiting for a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) committee to agree. Finally, there’s opportunity scale. A headhunter pitches you for a single open role. An operating partner offers the [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) multiplier. Bypassing HR to target these partners effectively upgrades you from fighting for one specific job to accessing dozens of hidden opportunities simultaneously. Operating partners are not investment bankers. They are seasoned former CEOs, former corporate COOs, and deep industry experts, hired specifically to drive business improvement on the ground. This chart illustrates how these operating teams are structured within PE funds. They range from captive, full-time internal consulting groups on the left, all the way to networks of external advisors and bench players on the right. Getting into this world operates a bit like a mafia. To get paid work, you need a trusted insider to vouch for you—usually based on previous hands-on work you’ve done together. That voucher carries heavy risk. If an operating partner brings you in to fix a company and you fail to deliver, their internal political capital drops, and the value of their future vouch declines. Because their own reputation and [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) are on the line, these partners demand proven, hands-on execution every time. They will take real-world capabilities over a prestigious, theoretical pedigree every single time. The fastest way to fail with an operating partner is to send them a standard biography or [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). A passive list of past titles will be ignored. Worse, it will burn a bridge with a highly connected decision-maker who doesn’t have time to figure out where you fit. You have to pivot your strategy. Abandon the bio pitch and put in the work to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) the PE firm’s mid-market acquisitions over the last six months. Your outreach needs to be a direct, no-BS message that highlights a specific, urgent operational reality at one of those companies, like a bleeding supply chain or a broken pricing strategy. Outline exactly how you intend to fix it. This approach requires significantly more friction and upfront effort than clicking an apply button on a job board. You are doing the diagnostic work before you even get in the room. Trading a low-effort [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) blast for a high-friction, bespoke pitch is the only proven way to trigger that urgency vector and get hired. This quadrant chart answers the core question: is the intense effort of researching acquisitions and writing bespoke pitches actually worth your time? Passive [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles and job boards sit here, in the low-effort, low-impact quadrant. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) through generalist [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) takes high effort with endless [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), but yields low impact because you’re fighting for a single role against hundreds of others. Targeted pitches to operating partners live in the high-effort, high-impact quadrant. The ultimate payoff for reaching this quadrant is what we call the [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) multiplier. An operating partner oversees 5, 10, or sometimes 20 different companies. If you earn their trust but don’t fit Company A’s immediate needs, they can slide you into Company B tomorrow, or keep you on deck for their very next deal. Winning the [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) of a single operating partner yields an exponentially higher return on [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) than sitting through dozens of standard [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) screenings. ***Cracking the Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) Code: How to Get a Job in Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/)*** The final reality check is that traditional [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) simply do not know how to assess if you are truly ready for the harsh realities of the private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) operating model. Surviving in a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company requires very specific skills: a capacity for hands-on operational action, comfort executing 90-day turnaround mandates, and experience working with zero-based budgeting. If you are an executive who requires heavy corporate infrastructure, a six-month onboarding runway, or if you rely heavily on the prestige of your past titles, this path will expose those gaps immediately. This strategy is built for action-oriented fixers and elite operators who are willing to dive directly into a bleeding company and solve the crisis in front of them. To secure a high-stakes private [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) role, you have to stop pitching your biography to HR gatekeepers. You must start pitching operational solutions directly to the operating partners. There’s a lot more to help you at JobSearch.Community. Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services a la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, and follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. ***[Leveraging Onlyness to Break Into Private Equity](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-p09)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching, all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching, job coaching, and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching, advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership coaching? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** Private Equity, Text --- ### [Using AI to Map Strategic Friction Before You Message](https://thebiggamehunter.us/using-ai-to-map-strategic-friction-before-you-message/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Using AI to Map Strategic Friction Before You Message **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You already know the front door of a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) (the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you are letting a machine dictate your market value. But most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to use the back door, hitting up your old colleagues or university alumni for a favor. As you know, the back door is just as crowded. It’s full of people looking for a shortcut. To break through, you have to take **[The Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**. You have to jump out of line, run down the alley, and find a way into the building by offering something the company desperately needs. The absolute [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to crack open that Third Door is to leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). But stop using it as a ghostwriter to spam people with “personalized” boilerplate. High-level decision-makers can spot a bot-generated message in about two seconds, and it gets deleted almost immediately after uttering a few mental expletives. Instead, you need to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as your **Chief of Staff**. You use it to do deep, surgical [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s public pain points so that when you knock on that Third Door, you sound like an indispensable peer who already understands the business. You can use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to get a human [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) that puts you in that negotiation room. ### 1. The Operational Audit: Finding the Unpicked Lock Most professionals personalize their outreach by looking at a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile and saying, *“Hey, I see we both worked at Oracle in 2018.”* That’s a baseline pleasantry. It doesn’t prove you can solve their problems. At the executive tier, you lead with value. You want to identify the exact operational drag that is keeping a target leader awake at night. Instead of guessing, gather the target company’s recent public data trails. Grab their latest quarterly earnings call transcript, a recent [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) given by their CEO, or their main competitor’s macro moves. Feed that text into an LLM. Give the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) this specific diagnostic prompt: > *“Analyze this transcript from the perspective of an institutional investor. Identify the top two operational or infrastructure risks implied by this growth strategy. Cross-reference these risks with my core expertise in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction this leadership team will face.”* Now you have an intelligence briefing. You aren’t pitching your past biography; you are diagnosing a live business problem before you ever say hello. ### 2. The 80/20 Rule: Machine for Context, Human for Voice Once you have the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), let the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) help you structure the outreach, but enforce a strict 80/20 rule. Let the machine do the heavy cognitive lifting of data synthesis (the 80%). You must handle the final execution (the 20%) to inject your own human voice, rhythm, and industry shorthand. To strip away the “AI-politeness” that triggers a recipient’s spam filter, run your draft back through the model with a strict fluff-decoupling prompt: > *“Review this outreach draft. Strip out all generic corporate boilerplate, introductory filler, and synthetic enthusiasm (e.g., ‘I hope this finds you well,’ ‘In today’s fast-paced world’). Shorten the sentences to vary the cadence, use direct active verbs, and ensure the tone reflects the clinical brevity of a busy COO.”* When you get the output, manually verify it. If it sounds like a corporate press release, kill it. Leaders typically write with short, punchy paragraphs. Your message should match that exact baseline. ### 3. Knocking on the Third Door Let me show you how this works in practice. I was coaching a VP of Operations who wanted to land at a high-growth logistics firm. We used [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to analyze the target company’s Q1 earnings report. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) identified a specific comment from the CFO about localized margin compression due to a recent regional warehouse consolidation. We didn’t look for an open job description, and we didn’t ask for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). We targeted a director-level peer in that department and sent a direct, two-sentence note: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s regional warehouse integration this quarter. Having navigated a parallel restructuring at my last firm, I noticed that inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief, 1-page framework on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag. No strings attached. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* The director responded within three hours. Why? Because the message wasn’t a burden; it was a delivery of value. They traded notes, and at the end of the conversation, the director said, *“We actually need someone with this exact framework right now. Let me route your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) directly through our internal executive priority lane.”* ### The Bottom Line [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is a force multiplier, but multipliers work both ways. If you multiply generic automation, you just get a mountain of spam. But if you multiply high-fidelity [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), you get immediate access to the room. Stop letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you. Use it to uncover specific strategic deficits of your target companies, map the pain points your future peers are facing, and knock on [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) with a solution in hand. That is how you bypass the software, skip the line, and get the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***A Guide to Thriving***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-olr) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[The C Suite Trap: Great Job or Career Killer](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oeb)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Cracking the Job Search Code: What’s Working***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oaY) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** Using AI to Map Strategic Friction Before You Message --- ### [Master Your Interview Body Language](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-your-interview-body-language/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact gestures that project authority and the simple framework to make your body language your greatest ally. **Content:** # Master Your Interview Body Language **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You can nail every question and still lose the job if your body language screams “unprepared.” Stop letting unconscious habits like fidgeting or crossing your arms undermine your credibility. This episode breaks down the exact gestures that project authority and the simple framework to make your body language your greatest ally. Have you ever left a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) thinking, “Man, I completely nailed those questions”? But then, you just don’t get the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Well, the reason might be something you didn’t even say out loud. So today, we are going to dive into that powerful, unspoken language of your body, and how to make sure it’s telling the right story. Think about it. You’ve probably spent hours, maybe even days, polishing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), rehearsing your answers. But what about the story you’re telling the second you walk into that room? You know, with your posture, your hands, all of that? That is so often the missing piece of the puzzle, and believe me, it can make all the difference. All right, so where do we even begin? Well, before we can start building good habits, it’s actually super important to know what might be holding you back. Let’s get into some of those common, and let’s be honest, often totally unconscious actions that can send a completely different message than what you want. It is wild how easily these little things get misinterpreted, right? You might cross your arms just because, I don’t know, it’s comfortable. But to an interviewer, it can totally scream closed off or defensive. And that constant pen tapping or leg shaking? Yeah, that’s like a loud and clear broadcast of nervous [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), which can easily come across as a lack of [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) or even a lack of preparation. Just think about it for a second. You could be giving the most brilliant, well thought-out answer, but if your body language is just screaming [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you’re pretty much undermining your own credibility. Your message gets all tangled up, and the interviewer is left with this nagging sense of doubt. Okay. So now that we know what not to do, let’s totally flip the script. This isn’t about becoming a robot or a statue. It’s about swapping out those nervous little tics for confident, intentional gestures that actually boost your words. Okay, here’s a really simple three-step framework to keep in your back pocket. First, actually use your hands, but do it gently. They’re like tools to help you paint a picture. Second, be strategic. A nice, subtle gesture can really emphasize a key point or a huge accomplishment you’re talking about. And third, and this is so important, keep the movements controlled. We’re going for calm and purposeful here, not, you know, a giant theatrical performance. Let’s just let this sink in for a minute. “Controlled and natural.” That’s the magic formula right there. See, if your gestures look all rehearsed or robotic, you’ve kind of missed the point. They should feel like a genuine part of how you communicate, which adds this whole other layer of authenticity to what you’re saying. All right, let’s bring this all home. We’ve talked about what to avoid and what to embrace. So what is the one big idea you should carry with you into that next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)? Listen, the goal is not to be motionless. Sitting perfectly still can actually make you seem really rigid and, frankly, a little weird. Instead, the focus should be on being intentional. You want to make your body language an ally, a tool that reinforces your words and powerfully shows off your [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). So, I’m going to leave you with this question: Now that you know all this, which confident gesture are you going to practice first? Because turning an unconscious habit into a conscious skill, well, that’s the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) to really, truly mastering your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). ***[How Do You Know It’s Time to Give Up?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-7Oc)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[You Need to Fix Stupid Hiring.](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqT)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Body Language **Tags:** Master your interview body language. --- ### [The Executive Protocol: Precise Targeting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-executive-protocol-precise-targeting/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the "Executive Protocol"—a high-leverage system that combines machine speed with human judgment to secure C-suite interviews in half the time. **Content:** # The Executive Protocol: Precise Targeting **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are burning social capital by blasting generic, AI-generated messages into the void. This episode breaks down the “Executive Protocol”—a high-leverage system that combines machine speed with human judgment to secure C-suite [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) in half the time. Stop playing the numbers game and start playing the leverage game. Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are approaching [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) entirely the wrong way. They’re either quietly hiding behind a polished [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), hoping someone spots them, or they’re aggressively blasting out generic, AI-generated messages that scream desperation. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and senior leaders can spot a templated outreach message instantly. Using standard [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) prompts to mass produce your introductions doesn’t show efficiency. It immediately damages your professional credibility. Treating artificial intelligence as an excuse to spam the market is a complete misunderstanding of what the tool actually does. When you rely on cheap volume over deliberate quality, you’re not playing a numbers game. You are actively disqualifying yourself from the role before you even secure an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). At the C-suite level, every [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) operates under a strict constraint. You have a finite number of hours in the day, and a distinctly finite reservoir of social capital. Success requires a different operating model, one we call the Executive Protocol. It works by merging your high-level human judgment with raw, calculating machine speed. Leaders who continue to rely solely on manual [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or basic automation are already falling behind their peers. Adopting this hybrid operating system provides the technical efficiency required to compete for high-stakes roles, while your competitors are still manually scrolling. Before you send a single message, you have to secure your foundation. Run your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile through an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool to identify and strip out weak phrasing. If your headline says “seeking new opportunities”, remove it. That is a red flag, not a value proposition. Next, you move to targeting. Instead of randomly browsing, instruct [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools to map out specific organizational charts at your target companies, and surface hidden second-degree contacts you didn’t even realize you had. Look at this comparison: sending out 500 random connection requests yields almost nothing. But curating a heavily researched, highly specific list of 80 targeted individuals will consistently produce conversations. This deliberate, precise targeting is exactly how you protect and maximize your limited social capital. Stop treating [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as your personal copywriter. Start deploying it as your dedicated [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) department. Before you reach out to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager, feed [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) their recent [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) posts, their company’s latest earnings calls, and any public [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) they’ve given. You force the model to process that noise to summarize exactly what that specific individual cares about right now. Processing this intelligence before you make contact ensures your first interaction is rooted in their current priorities, rather than your past assumptions. With the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) complete, you can now instruct the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to generate a first draft of your outreach message, matching the tone you want to project. But here is the non-negotiable step: you must rewrite that draft yourself. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) writes in recognizable patterns. You have to inject your own perspective, your specific history, and your actual personality to make the message sound like you. The machine analyzes the data to find the conversational hook. Your human judgment is what successfully throws it. A common [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) make is sending one high-value message, getting no response, and simply walking away. Instead, construct a professional [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) cadence with reminders at 7, 14, and 30 days. Pestering is empty repetition. Persistence means every touch adds value: sharing an article or offering insight on recent news. To manage this, you need a data tracking system. Log every single message you send, every response you receive, and every door that opens. When you track the data, patterns emerge. You learn what works, double down on it, and apply the exact same operational discipline you use in the C-suite directly to your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). At the end of the day, an algorithm will never replace a genuine human relationship. You still have to show up and do the [hard work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-no-results-the-hard-truth-shorts/) of earning trust. What [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) actually provides is time compression. It drastically shrinks the hours required to locate the right targets, craft highly tailored messages, and maintain total consistency. This compression allows you to manage dozens of high-value relationships in the time it used to take to manage five. Use that leverage. Now, stop reading and start reaching out. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search **Tags:** The Executive Protocol: Precise Targeting --- ### [Using Small Town Networking Techniques For Getting Hired In Big Cities](https://thebiggamehunter.us/using-small-town-networking-for-getting-hired-in-big-cities/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** My wife and I have moved several times to places where we knew no one. What do we do to make friends and connections with people, particularly in the small towns we've lived in and how could it apply to you? **Content:** # Using Small Town Networking Techniques For Getting Hired In Big Cities **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [**You may also enjoy, “Networking When You Are Inexperienced”**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gnj) **Living in New York City as I did for so many years, everyone tended to live an anonymous life. Former Beatle John Lennon lived anonymously here with no one bothering him when he was on the street walking somewhere. I remember seeing George Harrison standing on the open door of his Rolls-Royce, looking for someone. No one approached him. Generally, celebrities can live anonymous lives in New York City.** ![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e67fbe_b72f47bc312746af819f8df0716dc5ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_750,h_500,al_c,q_20/file.jpg) **When my wife and I moved to Long Island,** we started to spend less time in Manhattan. We began to spend more time with other parents, particularly adoptive parents (we adopted our son from Kazakhstan) and found great relationships with other adoptive parents. **Eventually, we moved to a small town** in northeastern Pennsylvania that was six blocks by six blocks with one traffic light. The town’s population was a few thousand, stretching beyond the immediate village to a few miles outside. We developed great relationships in this small town before deciding to move to Asheville, North Carolina. But, again, we need to build new relationships with people just as we had before. **What did we do, and how can you apply** it to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) (or trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), for that matter)? What have others done to network into new roles? Why should you even try to network? *It’s so uncomfortable!* **Unlike celebrities, you don’t want to live** an anonymous life professionally. You want to have people know about you, like you, trust you and respect you, not just for your work before who you are. No one will [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) someone they don’t trust or like. You want people to feel comfortable knowing you and be willing to recommend you to others. **In addition, [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) works [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/)** for job hunters. Many years ago, I interviewed Dave Opton, the CEO and founder of Execunet, an organization committed to helping senior professionals network and find work. Dave told me that [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) filled 70% of all positions. Of those, 70% of the 70% (or 49%) were filled as a result of introductions to people their network knew who were unknown to the job hunter. **[LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) now says that 85%** of positions are filled as a result of [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). If that is true and 70% of them come from introductions to people your network knows who you don’t, we are now an almost 60% of positions are filled due to introductions to people unknown to the other person. **Why should you network?** *Because it works!* **As for how to network,** there are many different ways to do it. **One of my favorite stories involves** an out-of-work banker who was on the phone talking with the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) when his cleaning person walked by and overhearing him, ask for a copy of his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). He avoided giving it to her for several visits before his wife approached him and told him to give it to her. As it turns out, their cleaning person was the wife of the bank president. She cleaned homes to remain humble. He got his next job through them. In his, > **“So talk to everyone and [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) on every lead. You never know where the introduction may come from that results in you being hired.”** **Small towns have under-the-radar** power players. These are the people who everyone knows. They can be auto mechanics, bookkeepers, or people known to everyone because they are a “legacy” in the town. In Charlotte, NC, one such power player was a local barber who trimmed the hair of senior bankers in town. The way you network with these people was to visit with him a few times and wait for him to ask you, “So what do you do?” That was a signal that he liked you. He provided many introductions that resulted in many people being hired. You know people who are connectors because they serve others or invest in firms that need help. **If you have a child in school, the school** can be a great gateway to meeting other people. We met other parents through our son and his school. The school ran get-togethers for families but, I know, that may not happen in big cities. Your son or daughter may have playdates or other opportunities to meet children. Children have a parent or parents who you can get to know. They know people, too. Build a relationship in advance of when you might need it just by being the parent and having your son and daughter play with other children. **Neighbors are an underutilized resource**. When we lived in Pennsylvania, a neighbor of ours and I were talking and walking. While we were, he mentioned to me that his firm in town was having trouble finding people and did I think I could help. I went on to fill three positions with them in engineering, even though they thought they were well connected in town. **When I lived in New York, I was able** to do the same thing with my neighbors, who all knew what I did (although I never pushed it on them) but knew that they could come to me if they needed help. Being friendly to your neighbors as you wait for the elevator, the train or bus, or in the store can help you land that next role. **Don’t ignore business [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) groups**. The local Chamber of Commerce in my town in North Carolina provides excellent services to small businesses while also supporting large companies move into town. In addition, there are business [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) groups lie BNI where owners meet to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) business opportunities to one another. These groups exist worldwide and afford you a chance to meet with small to midsize business owners, as well as local power players who can provide introductions. **In BNI, one of the ways to become known** is to make yourself available to substitute for someone unable to attend. The chapter will allow you to speak and tell everyone about yourself toward the end of the meeting. Be friendly and not a wallflower when allowed to introduce yourself and network. Like with the Chamber of Commerce, these are business owners who are known within the community. People know people, and if they like you and trust you, they may introduce you to others. **John Sampson, a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/),** once said that the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) toward being an effective networker is to “get out of the house.” In the United States and other parts of the world, we can do that again and implement many of these [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) techniques in person. Where restrictions still exist, these can all be done virtually. **You will not be successfu**l if you don’t engage with people. Most people will be friendly and willing to help if only you ask for support. **Don’t let pride interfere with what yo**u know you need to do. The worst thing that can happen is that you try, and nothing improves. If you don’t try, things will remain the same. Nothing improves. **Take a chance on being neighborly. What do you have to lose?** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Why Should Branding Make a Difference to You?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cHW) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[You May Also Like My Interview with Michelle Tillis-Lederman, The Connector’s Advantage](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dOw)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** Using Small Town Networking For Getting Hired In Big Cities --- ### [Job Search Tips: Resume Submissions #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resume-submissions/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A 6-second job search tip about how to get more responses to your resume submissions **Content:** # Job Search Tips: Resume Submissions #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/QK1kquxK_DQ) A 6-second [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tip about how to get more responses to your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) submissions. ***[The Missing Ingredient in Most Resumes](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-442)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job **Tags:** Resume Submissions --- ### [Reorder Your Skills on LinkedIn #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** LinkedIn often lists your skills in a wacky order. **Content:** # Reorder Your Skills on LinkedIn **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/cx_AEzQ2np8) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) often lists your skills in a wacky order. [***Be Careful Using AI to Write Resumes and Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k0r) [***How Do You Rattle a Candidate Out of Their Comfort Zone?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aVR) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn **Tags:** Reorder Your Skills on LinkedIn --- ### [Why Your Resume Doesn't Get Results #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Why doesn't your resume get results? It's really easy to understand and correct. **Content:** # Why Your Resume Doesn’t Get Results #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/dTH8oCXKGTQ) Why doesn’t your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) get results? It’s really easy to understand and correct. ***[Broken](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-85L)*** Why doesn’t your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) get results? Why are they not getting me [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)? It’s really very easy. They don’t really care about everything that you’ve done. They care about everything that you’ve done that relates to what they need. And if you’re sending the same generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) out over and over again, like the broken watch, that’s right twice a day, guess what’s gonna happen? DELETE. So connect the dots for interviewers so they understand exactly exactly what you’ve done that relates to the job description that you’ve seen, or what you’ve been told by the employee who’s recommended that you apply, etc, etc, etc. So I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Follow me on YouTube. [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) TV is the channel there. Hope to see you. And by the way when you get there, follow me there. Subscribe. Take care. ![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-who-did-you-write-your-resume-for-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-3.jpg) [***You may also like, “Stupid Salary Negotiation Mistakes: Being Too Grateful”***](https://youtu.be/7IYQOBOPBQw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[Career Coach Office Hours: May 7 2024](https://youtube.com/live/yC8A9BfwApg)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[Career Reinvention](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-csk)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** how to get an interview, how to write a resume, How to write a resume to get results, no interviews, results from your resume, Resume Mistakes, Stupid Résumé Mistakes, Why Your Resume Doesn't Get Results, why youre not getting called for interviews, Writing a resume --- ### [How to Project Authority and Charm in an Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-project-authority-and-charm-in-an-interview/) **Published:** June 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Most professional advice treats charisma like a genetic trait. That is dead wrong. **Content:** # How to Project Authority and Charm in an Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most professional advice treats charisma like a genetic trait. You either have it, or you are doomed to be the quiet, hyper-qualified professional who gets passed over for the smooth talker. That is dead wrong. Charisma in a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) isn’t about being the loudest person in the room, telling jokes, or having a booming theatrical voice. At any level, whether you are a senior leader or an individual contributor, charisma is a clinical framework. It is the [projection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/rejection-is-part-of-the-job-search-process-shorts/) of two distinct signals simultaneously: **High Authority** and **High Warmth**. When you balance those two levers, you don’t just look smart. You look like an indispensable professional. Even if you are a deep introvert who hates small talk, charisma is a skill any person can systematically practice and execute. Here are 5 practical, no BS pointers to instantly project capability and connection the next time you sit down across from a decision-maker. ### 1. The 2-Second Pause: Trading Reaction for Commanded Authority When an interviewer asks a tough question, the standard human reaction is to answer immediately to prevent dead air. People dread silence because they think it looks like hesitation. But rushing to fill the void signals [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). It makes you look like a test-taker desperate to get the right answer. - **The Tactic:** When a question is leveled at you, intentionally pause for a full two seconds before you say a single word. Keep direct [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/), nod slightly, and look like you are evaluating a strategic dataset. - **The Charisma Factor:** That silence doesn’t signal weakness; it commands the room. It shows the interviewer that you are not reactive. It shifts the perception of your character from someone under interrogation to an advisor formulating a clinical thesis. ### 2. The Contextual Mirror: Validating the Strategic Burden True charm isn’t about getting people to like *you*. It is about making the other person feel deeply understood. The fastest way an introvert can build high-warmth rapport without faking an extroverted personality is to reflect the company’s pain back to them. - **The Tactic:** Instead of jumping straight into your past achievements, mirror their question to validate the struggle behind it. - **The Execution:** If they ask, *“How do you handle cross-functional engineering delays?”* do not start reciting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Start with: *“That question tells me you are likely experiencing a common mid-market friction point: product teams pushing features faster than architecture can scale them. Am I reading that correctly?”* - **The Result:** You have immediately pivoted the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) into a collaborative problem-solving session. You aren’t pitching; you are diagnosing. ### 3. The Structural Cadence: Lowering Your Vocal Pitch at the Finish Line [Introverts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-network-successfully-as-an-introvert-without-faking-it/) and some laptop professionals frequently lose professional weight through what linguists call “up-talk”–allowing the pitch of their voice to rise at the end of a sentence, making a statement sound like a nervous question. - **The Tactic:** Control your vocal cadence by practicing the **Down-Ending**. Ensure the final three words of your sentences drop slightly in tone and pitch. - **The Charisma Factor:** A declining vocal inflection signals absolute certainty. It gives your words structural weight. When you say, *“We stabilized EBITDA by 14%,”* and the word *“fourteen”* lands with a downward cadence, it sounds like an unshakeable market fact, not a hope. ### 4. The Structural Brevity Protocol: Cut the Conversational Lubrication Nothing kills [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) charisma faster than a rambling answer that leaks [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) as it goes. People think they need to give a 10-minute historical overview to prove their depth. Busy decision-makers want a clinical summary. - **The Tactic:** Use a strict **3-Sentence Core** framework for your initial answers: state the historical friction, detail the exact asset you allocated to resolve it, and name the quantifiable outcome. - **The Implementation:** *“We were losing 12% in margin velocity due to supply chain bloat. I consolidated our regional distribution centers into a single agile hub. That structural pivot recovered $1.4M in annualized revenue within 90 days.”* Stop talking right there. Let them ask for the [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) details. Brevity signals complete [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) in your data. ### 5. The Collective Pronoun Shift: Owning the Strategy, Sharing the Win To balance High Authority with High Warmth, you have to master how you distribute credit. If you use “I” for everything, you sound like an isolated, high-ego operator. If you use “We” for everything, you sound like a passenger who just watched others do the heavy lifting. - **The Tactic:** Use **“I” for the strategic allocation**, and **“We” for the functional execution**. - **The Formula:** *“****I*** *engineered the post-merger integration framework, and then* ***we*** *mobilized the engineering teams to execute the legacy data migration over a 48-hour sprint.”* This precise alignment shows you have the personal authority to architect a plan, but the relational warmth to honor the team that pulled it across the finish line. ### The Bottom Line Charisma isn’t an entertainment performance; it is a display of controlled intention. When you pause deliberately, mirror their problems, anchor your voice, practice brevity, and balance your pronouns, you remove all the defensive friction from the conversation. You stop behaving like someone looking for permission to join a company. You start behaving like a trusted operator who is ready to step into the room and deliver results. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***Remember These Pointers When Writing Your New Resume***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bYI) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ***[How to Get More Interviews: Look for the Third Way](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtq)*** **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Becoming Charismatic, Text **Tags:** How to Project Authority and Charm in an Interview --- ### [Should I Bring A Resume to Job Interviews? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-bring-a-resume-to-job-interviews-shorts/) **Published:** June 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Should I bring my resume to job interviews? **Content:** # Should I Bring A Resume to Job Interviews? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Should I bring my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Interviews **Tags:** Should I Bring A Resume to Job Interviews? --- ### [THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION - JUNE 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) **Published:** June 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. **Content:** # THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION – JUNE 2026 [By the US Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm) ``` MAY 2026 Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, local government, and health care. Employment in financial activities declined. This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor force status, including unemployment, by demographic characteristics. The establishment survey measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. For more information about the concepts and statistical methodology used in these two surveys, see the Technical Note. Household Survey Data The major labor market indicators from the survey of households continued to show little or no change in May. The unemployment rate held at 4.3 percent and has remained in a narrow range of 4.3 percent to 4.5 percent since July 2025. The number of unemployed people, at 7.3 million, changed little over the month. (See table A-1.) Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates showed little or no change in May for adult men (4.0 percent), adult women (3.8 percent), teenagers (14.7 percent), and people who are White (3.8 percent), Black (6.6 percent), Asian (3.8 percent), or Hispanic (5.0 percent). (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.) The number of people jobless less than 5 weeks declined by 286,000 to 2.2 million in May, largely offsetting an increase in the prior month. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed over the month at 2.0 million but is up by 524,000 over the year. The long-term unemployed accounted for 27.5 percent of all unemployed people in May. (See table A-12.) The labor force participation rate held at 61.8 percent in May, and the employment-population ratio changed little at 59.2 percent. These measures showed little change over the year, after accounting for annual population control adjustments. (See table A-1.) The number of people employed part time for economic reasons, at 4.8 million, changed little in May. These individuals would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been reduced or they were unable to find full-time jobs. (See table A-8.) In May, the number of people not in the labor force who currently want a job changed little at 6.2 million. These individuals were not counted as unemployed because they were not actively looking for work during the 4 weeks preceding the survey or were unavailable to take a job. (See table A-1.) Among those not in the labor force who wanted a job, the number of people marginally attached to the labor force changed little at 1.7 million in May. These individuals wanted and were available for work and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months but had not looked for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. The number of discouraged workers, a subset of the marginally attached who believed that no jobs were available for them, was 486,000 in May, essentially unchanged from the previous month. (See Summary table A.) Establishment Survey Data Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 in May, similar to the gain of 179,000 in April. In May, job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, local government, and health care. Employment in financial activities declined. (See table B-1.) Leisure and hospitality added 70,000 jobs in May, well above the average monthly gain of 14,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, food services and drinking places added 48,000 jobs. In May, employment in local government rose by 55,000, largely reflecting a gain in local government, excluding education (+44,000). Health care added 35,000 jobs in May, in line with the average monthly gain of 38,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, ambulatory health care services added 26,000 jobs, including a gain of 11,000 in home health care services. Employment continued to trend up in hospitals (+6,000). Social assistance employment continued to trend up in May (+12,000), mostly in individual and family services (+10,000). Over the prior 12 months, social assistance had added an average of 17,000 jobs per month. Employment in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction increased by 5,000 in May and is up by 10,000 since February. Financial activities employment declined by 22,000 in May and is down by 107,000 since a recent peak in May 2025. Over the month, job losses occurred in insurance carriers and related activities (-11,000) and commercial banking (-3,000). Employment in transportation and warehousing was essentially unchanged in May (+1,000) but is down by 92,000 since reaching a peak in February 2025. Over the month, transit and ground passenger transportation (+9,000) and warehousing and storage (+6,000) added jobs. Air transportation lost 9,000 jobs, largely reflecting a business closure. Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, information, professional and business services, and other services. In May, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 12 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $37.53. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.4 percent. In May, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 8 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $32.31. (See tables B-3 and B-8.) The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 34.3 hours in May. In manufacturing, the average workweek was unchanged at 40.4 hours, and overtime edged up to 3.1 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained at 33.8 hours. (See tables B-2 and B-7.) The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for March was revised up by 29,000, from +185,000 to +214,000, and the change for April was revised up by 64,000, from +115,000 to +179,000. With these revisions, employment in March and April combined is 93,000 higher than previously reported. (Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.) _____________ The Employment Situation for June is scheduled to be released on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET). ``` [Employment Situation Summary Table A. Household data, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm) [Employment Situation Summary Table B. Establishment data, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.b.htm) [Employment Situation Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.faq.htm) [Employment Situation Technical Note](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.tn.htm) [Table A-1. Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm) [Table A-2. Employment status of the civilian population by race, sex, and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm) [Table A-3. Employment status of the Hispanic or Latino population by sex and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t03.htm) [Table A-4. Employment status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm) [Table A-5. Employment status of the civilian population 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, and sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm) [Table A-6. Employment status of the civilian population by sex, age, and disability status, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm) [Table A-7. Employment status of the civilian population by nativity and sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t07.htm) [Table A-8. Employed people by class of worker and part-time status](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t08.htm) [Table A-9. Selected employment indicators](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t09.htm) [Table A-10. Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t10.htm) [Table A-11. Unemployed people by reason for unemployment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t11.htm) [Table A-12. Unemployed people by duration of unemployment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t12.htm) [Table A-13. Employed and unemployed people by occupation, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t13.htm) [Table A-14. Unemployed people by industry and class of worker, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t14.htm) [Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t15.htm) [Table A-16. People not in the labor force and multiple jobholders by sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t16.htm) [Table B-1. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector and selected industry detail](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t17.htm) [Table B-2. Average weekly hours and overtime of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t18.htm) [Table B-3. Average hourly and weekly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t19.htm) [Table B-4. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours and payrolls for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t20.htm) [Table B-5. Employment of women on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t21.htm) [Table B-6. Employment of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t22.htm) [Table B-7. Average weekly hours and overtime of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t23.htm) [Table B-8. Average hourly and weekly earnings of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t24.htm) [Table B-9. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours and payrolls for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t25.htm) **Categories:** Text, The Job Market **Tags:** THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION - JUNE 2026 --- ### [No BS Career Advice: June 7, 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: June 7 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Don't Ask for Time Gemini_Generated_Image_rvpwyxrvpwyxrvpw](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dont-Ask-for-Time-Gemini_Generated_Image_rvpwyxrvpwyxrvpw-1024x559.png) The ones we love sometimes are under pressure. It is up to us to support them while the deal with the crises of their lives. My wife has spent two months has been working to navigate State of New York systems for her niece. Yesterday, it is one with her sister. For many of you, you make the [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of letting others in to listen or help. You hold it and it leaks out with others feeling what you are going through and unable to help. Let them in. This is why I chose to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), “[The Resilience Pivot: Turn Job Search Rejection into Career Success](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GNW8JZLJ)” at a discount, $0.99, for a limited time. [Job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is hard. I’ve helped many people land roles and sometimes the support they need is from family, friends, and others. Sometimes it is about cultivating [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/). ***Remember: If you don’t have time to read or skim everything you want today, save the article.*** ## Using AI to Map Strategic Friction Before You Message [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) You already know the front door of a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) (the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) is a meat grinder. When you upload a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), you are letting a machine dictate your market value. But most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to use the back door, hitting up your old colleagues or university alumni for a favor. As you know, the back door is just as crowded. It’s full of people looking for a shortcut. To break through, you have to take **[The Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**. You have to jump out of line, run down the alley, and find a way into the building by offering something the company desperately needs. The absolute [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to crack open that Third Door is to leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). But stop using it as a ghostwriter to spam people with “personalized” boilerplate. High-level decision-makers can spot a bot-generated message in about two seconds, and it gets deleted almost immediately after uttering a few mental expletives. Instead, you need to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as your **Chief of Staff**. You use it to do deep, surgical [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on a company’s public pain points so that when you knock on that Third Door, you sound like an indispensable peer who already understands the business. You can use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to get a human [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) that puts you in that negotiation room. ### 1. The Operational Audit: Finding the Unpicked Lock Most professionals personalize their outreach by looking at a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile and saying, *“Hey, I see we both worked at Oracle in 2018.”* That’s a baseline pleasantry. It doesn’t prove you can solve their problems. At the executive tier, you lead with value. You want to identify the exact operational drag that is keeping a target leader awake at night. Instead of guessing, gather the target company’s recent public data trails. Grab their latest quarterly earnings call transcript, a recent [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) given by their CEO, or their main competitor’s macro moves. Feed that text into an LLM. Give the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) this specific diagnostic prompt: > *“Analyze this transcript from the perspective of an institutional investor. Identify the top two operational or infrastructure risks implied by this growth strategy. Cross-reference these risks with my core expertise in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction this leadership team will face.”* Now you have an intelligence briefing. You aren’t pitching your past biography; you are diagnosing a live business problem before you ever say hello. ### 2. The 80/20 Rule: Machine for Context, Human for Voice Once you have the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), let the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) help you structure the outreach, but enforce a strict 80/20 rule. Let the machine do the heavy cognitive lifting of data synthesis (the 80%). You must handle the final execution (the 20%) to inject your own human voice, rhythm, and industry shorthand. To strip away the “AI-politeness” that triggers a recipient’s spam filter, run your draft back through the model with a strict fluff-decoupling prompt: > *“Review this outreach draft. Strip out all generic corporate boilerplate, introductory filler, and synthetic enthusiasm (e.g., ‘I hope this finds you well,’ ‘In today’s fast-paced world’). Shorten the sentences to vary the cadence, use direct active verbs, and ensure the tone reflects the clinical brevity of a busy COO.”* When you get the output, manually verify it. If it sounds like a corporate press release, kill it. Leaders typically write with short, punchy paragraphs. Your message should match that exact baseline. ### 3. Knocking on the Third Door Let me show you how this works in practice. I was coaching a VP of Operations who wanted to land at a high-growth logistics firm. We used [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to analyze the target company’s Q1 earnings report. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) identified a specific comment from the CFO about localized margin compression due to a recent regional warehouse consolidation. We didn’t look for an open job description, and we didn’t ask for an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). We targeted a director-level peer in that department and sent a direct, two-sentence note: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s regional warehouse integration this quarter. Having navigated a parallel restructuring at my last firm, I noticed that inventory synchronization logic usually leaks about 14% in margin velocity during month three if the legacy databases aren’t decoupled early. I put together a brief, 1-page framework on how we insulated our numbers against that specific drag. No strings attached. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* The director responded within three hours. Why? Because the message wasn’t a burden; it was a delivery of value. They traded notes, and at the end of the conversation, the director said, *“We actually need someone with this exact framework right now. Let me route your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) directly through our internal executive priority lane.”* ### The Bottom Line [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is a force multiplier, but multipliers work both ways. If you multiply generic automation, you just get a mountain of spam. But if you multiply high-fidelity [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), you get immediate access to the room. Stop letting [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speak for you. Use it to uncover specific strategic deficits of your target companies, map the pain points your future peers are facing, and knock on [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) with a solution in hand. That is how you bypass the software, skip the line, and get the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### [ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) is my book that explains why the most successful professionals in the age of automation have stopped acting like employees and started operating as a “Company of One”. [Available on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7). This week, I released (or re-released) the following content in [my blog](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/blog) : **Don’t Hire ANYONE … #shorts** Excerpt: Standard [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) practices frequently lead to bad matches and expensive turnover. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a sharp perspective shift for managers, detailing why you need to selectively curate talent based on execution rather than just open seats. Link: **The Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) PortCo Playbook: Bypassing the [Search Firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to Target Operating Partners Directly** Excerpt: Waiting for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to bring you [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company roles leaves you fighting for scraps. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out an aggressive backdoor strategy to identify, pitch, and position yourself straight to the PE operating partners pulling the strings. Link: **Spamming Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Does Work #shorts** Excerpt: You’ve been told high-volume [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) is dead, but it actually has a hidden mathematical utility. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the raw volume numbers and specific conditions under which [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) spamming can still unlock unexpected pipeline wins. Link: **Is It [A Bad Sign](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) That I Haven’t Gotten [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) When Promised? #shorts** Excerpt: When a corporate timeline completely slips, candidate paranoia sets in instantly. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a direct reality check on internal [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) delays, HR bottlenecking, and how to interpret the silence without panicking. Link: **The 5 Step Roadmap to Your First IT Job** Excerpt: Breaking into information technology without pre-existing corporate tenure feels impossible. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) builds a structured, step-by-step technical and [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) roadmap to land your baseline role and launch a sustainable tech [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Link: **When Every Day Feels Like Hell** Excerpt: Enduring a toxic, broken workplace day after day drains your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) and destroys your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) performance. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares critical psychological and tactical preservation steps to survive the daily [grind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/gym-grind-is-like-job-search-grind-shorts/) while building your exit ramp. Link: **What Does It Mean When A Job You Applied to Opens a New Posting on the Same Site? #shorts** Excerpt: What does it mean when a job you applied to opens up a new posting on the same site 3 weeks later with the same requirements? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the internal corporate dynamics behind reposted listings and what it signals for your candidacy. Link: **Take Control of Your [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** Excerpt: Stop treating [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) like a one-sided interrogation where you’re desperately trying to prove your worth. This episode delivers the exact question you need to ask to take control, evaluate the employer, and ensure the role builds [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Link: **[Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Can Feel Like a Roller Coaster #shorts** Excerpt: The modern [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) cycles rapidly between high-signal [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) loops and complete radio silence. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a direct reality check on how to emotionally decouple from the volatility, steady your focus, and protect your professional posture. Link: **The First 30 Seconds of an [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** Excerpt: [First impressions](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/) dictate the narrative arc of your entire evaluation loop. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) looks at how prominent figures standout in high-pressure environments, converting those frameworks into tactical job-hunting strategies to command authority instantly. Link: **You’re Going to Have to Take The [First Step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/)** Excerpt: In his book, “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There,” Marshall Goldsmith points out that often what makes someone successful are the very qualities they will need to modify to take their next step up. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to override professional inertia. Link: **[The Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Protocol: Bypassing the HR Meat Grinder** Excerpt: Submitting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) cold online means letting a machine dictate your market value through rigged screening filters. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) introduces “The Third Door Protocol”—an actionable blueprint to jump out of the [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) lines, identify real corporate friction points, and get introduced directly to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) desks as a high-priority employee [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). Link: **People Will Remember | No BS [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) Advice | #shorts** Excerpt: Candidate experience and organizational posture stick with applicants long after an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) finishes. Denise Wilkerson, author of “HIRE with FIRE,” joins [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to break down a common, easily correctable [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that managers make during the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) loop that permanently damages their employer [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). Link: **Why Are You Staying in That Job? #shorts** Excerpt: Complaining about a toxic boss, stagnant pay, or zero growth options means nothing if you refuse to change your situation. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a direct, uncomfortable reality check on why comfort is killing [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) momentum and how to begin plotting your exit. Link: **Finding [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) Managers on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Like a Pro** Excerpt: Stop pitching generic corporate inboxes or waiting around for [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to notice you. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details an advanced Boolean search protocol to map out corporate reporting lines, pinpoint actual decision-makers on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and initiate high-signal conversations. Link: **4 Steps to Getting Better [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Results** Excerpt: If your current [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is stuck in a black hole, tweaking words won’t fix it; you need a structural overhaul. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) builds a clean, four-step optimization framework designed to highlight data-backed execution and capture maximum stakeholder attention. Link: **How to Connect With [The Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) #shorts** Excerpt: Most open roles are filled before they ever make it to a job board. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid-fire, No BS breakdown on how to penetrate internal corporate networks and uncover unlisted opportunities right from your phone. Link: **How to Write a [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) That Proves Your Return on Investment** Excerpt: [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t buy responsibilities; they buy results. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details exactly how to restructure your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullets to focus on metrics, financial impact, and performance value so companies clearly see the financial return of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) you. Link: **Be Open #shorts** Excerpt: Rigid parameters destroy candidate flexibility. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a direct reminder to stay structurally open to unexpected industries, pivots, and alternative organizational setups to maximize your incoming pipeline. Link: **AI-Driven [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/): How to Map & Fix Relationship Debt** Excerpt: Neglecting your professional ecosystem until you urgently need a job leaves you at an immediate disadvantage. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) introduces an AI-backed operational framework to map your historical network and systemically resolve connection gaps. Link: **Personal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) SEO: Get Discovered by LLMs** Excerpt: Modern [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are no longer just searching keywords on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/); they are asking [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) models for curated talent lists. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down how to format, index, and position your digital footprint so large language models select you first. Link: **Get Your [Energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) Up #shorts** Excerpt: Low [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) kills candidate chemistry before you ever answer a technical question. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a rapid, No BS framework to manually elevate your state, project infectious enthusiasm, and command authority during video screens or panels. Link: **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/): May 31 2026** Excerpt: The modern workplace requires a constant tactical realignment. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a comprehensive, direct breakdown of macro market movements, internal corporate positioning strategies, and crucial [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) rules to keep you ahead of the curve. Link: **They Asked for PDFs About Work That Won’t Launch for 2 Weeks** Excerpt: When interviewers ask for immediate documentation on pre-launch projects, navigating corporate confidentiality becomes a minefield. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out how to protect proprietary data while cleanly demonstrating your structural process. Link: **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) Lessons For Today’s Professional** Excerpt: Relying entirely on your corporate title to define your market value leaves you structurally exposed. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) isolates core personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) frameworks to cleanly scale your reputation, generate high-signal authority, and attract inbound [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Link: **Should I [Follow Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/)? It’s Been 4 Weeks of [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for a Job I Really Want** #shortsExcerpt: Everything has gone well and you received great responses on initial messages, but now the trail is cold. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) gives a definitive, No BS strategy on why you must [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) politely without showing pressure or losing candidate posture. Link: **How to Build Authority on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Excerpt:** Posting generic commentary won’t position you as a thought leader. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers tactical positioning frameworks to share original insights, structure long-form value, and optimize your [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) to attract premium inbound opportunities. Link: **A High-Signal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Outreach Strategy** **Excerpt:** Stop being a liability and start using high-signal tactics that command respect. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to shift your outreach from generic noise to high-value signals by leveraging specialized [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) workflows to map company problems. Link: **[Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) In A Troubled Economy Excerpt:** When the market tightens, passive [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) strategies break completely. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details direct defensive and offensive adjustments you must make to protect your pipeline, identify resilient industries, and stand out in a crowded field. Link: Select Don’t Hire ANYONE … #shorts Excerpt: Standard [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) practices frequently lead to bad matches and expensive turnover. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a sharp perspective shift for managers, detailing why you need to selectively curate talent based on execution rather than just open seats. Link: ***I WANT TO REVIEW [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) TOOLS PEOPLE ARE USING IN THEIR [JOB SEARCH](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). NOT JUST THE LLMs. OTHER TOOLS.*** ***EITHER MESSAGE ME IN THE COMMENTS OR USE [LINKEDIN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) MESSAGING.*** --- People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice --- ### [What Do Employers Look For in a Resume? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What do employers look for in a resume? The same thing they always look for. **Content:** # What Do Employers Look For in a Resume? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** What do employers look for in a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? The same thing they always look for. [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, No BS Resume Advice, Recruiters **Tags:** What Do Employers Look For in a Resume? --- ### [The Effort to Earning Matrix: Hacking the College ROI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-effort-to-earning-matrix-hacking-the-college-roi/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop trading your sanity for a future paycheck and learn how to position your natural strengths for maximum financial return. **Content:** # The Effort to Earning Matrix: Hacking the College ROI **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You don’t need to destroy your mental health over advanced calculus or grueling engineering labs just to secure a high-paying [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Data shows an inverse relationship where some of the highest-earning fields consistently award lower grades, meaning you can strategically target high-ROI majors without the extreme academic stress. Stop trading your sanity for a future paycheck and learn how to position your natural strengths for maximum financial return. ***[Misconceptions College Grads Have About Job Hunting](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBR)*** You want a high-paying [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) after graduation, but you also want to survive the next four years without sacrificing your mental health to advanced calculus, organic chemistry, or grueling engineering labs. It feels like you have to choose between your sanity right now and your bank account later. This table shows a DePaul University study mapping average student GPAs against mid-career salaries. Look at the top earners. The data reveals a direct inverse relationship: academic departments with the highest wealth consistently award the lowest grades. In this context, an easy major strips out advanced math and hard science requirements. Instead, you’re evaluated on project-based learning, practical writing, and critical thinking. If you select your path based on this relationship between effort and outcome, you can reach high-tier [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) brackets without the extreme stress of a traditional STEM track. We measure ROI by mapping coursework difficulty against earning potential. The bottom right is the traditional STEM path: high effort, high earnings. Your target is the top left: high earning potential with a manageable workload. We call this the golden quadrant. Let’s start by looking at the corporate generalists. This group includes majors like business administration, marketing, and supply chain management. The coursework difficulty here stays low because you aren’t memorizing theoretical math equations. Instead, you’re analyzing practical case studies, managing group projects, and [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) basic analytics to real-world business problems. Looking at the chart, these degrees drop right into the golden quadrant. Starting salaries land in the mid-50s, and mid-career ceilings for management roles routinely exceed $135,000. However, because these programs are highly accessible, a lot of people graduate with them. You leave school with a broad understanding of business, but you lack a specialized technical skill to defend against market competition. You overcome that by using your free time during school. You have to aggressively pursue competitive internships and specialized certifications, like a Project Management Professional credential or a Google Analytics certificate. A generalist degree grants you broad corporate access, but to stand out to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), you have to manually build your own specialization outside the classroom. [***The Next Great Step: The Parents’ Guide to Launching Your New Grad into a Career***](https://amzn.to/4g2h3is) Next, we look at the rapidly growing tech sector, focusing specifically on information technology and data analytics. These programs bypass the grueling requirements of a computer science or software engineering degree. Rather than writing complex code from scratch, you focus on practical logic, managing existing systems, and basic statistics. Returning to the quadrant chart, these degrees sit very high up on the earning scale. You’re looking at entry-level salaries starting around $66,000 to $70,000, along with a massive amount of remote work flexibility. The challenge here is the speed of the industry. University curriculums often struggle to update fast enough to keep pace with real-world technological innovation. To bridge that gap, you have to constantly self-educate. Your success depends on acquiring third-party vendor certifications from providers like AWS, platforms like CompTIA, or networks like Cisco, on your own time. A tech-lite degree successfully gets your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) past the initial HR filters, but it’s your ongoing, self-taught vendor certifications that actually dictate your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) ceiling. The final category is for students with natural reading, writing, and analytical strengths. This includes majors like communications, economics, and psychology. The academic ease here comes from the format of the work. You trade high-stakes lab exams and memorization for media analysis, essay writing, and behavioral studies. Our chart shows that these specific paths [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) high financial returns. Graduates routinely move into human resources, public relations, or market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) roles, with mid-career earnings landing between $70,000 to $99,000 a year. This path requires you to navigate non-linear [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) trajectories. Your degree title won’t always dictate your job title. You have to prove your competence through your own initiatives. That means building a tangible [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) of work while you’re still in school: professional writing samples, mock PR campaigns, or freelance projects that show [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) what you can actually do. These programs produce highly adaptable generalists. However, you bear the entire burden of providing the tangible proof of value that the diploma itself leaves out. The data shows that you don’t need a STEM degree to reach high-tier [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) brackets, but a lower academic barrier doesn’t mean the effort disappears. As this graphic illustrates, choosing a major with an easier academic workload simply shifts the required effort away from the classroom and over to professional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) building. Picking an accessible degree allows you to strategically choose exactly where and how you apply your effort to maximize your financial return. Let’s map out your exact degree path based on your natural strengths. If you want clear corporate progression and broad industry [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), follow the corporate progression branch toward business administration or finance. If you want to earn money in the tech sector without heavy coding or advanced math, follow the tech-lite branch toward information technology or data analytics. And if you are a strong writer and critical thinker who is comfortable self-directing [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), take the third branch toward communications or economics. A smart college strategy aligns the required work with your natural, innate strengths. There’s a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well as video courses, books, and guides to help you. Or you can purchase individual products and services a la carte. We want to help. If you like the video, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, follow the channel. It will help other people if you do. **Categories:** College Grads **Tags:** The Effort to Earning Matrix: Hacking the College ROI --- ### [Misconceptions College Grads Have About Job Hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/misconceptions-college-grads-have-about-job-hunting-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** January 26, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** My guest, Steven Rothberg of CollegeRecruiter.com and I discuss a veritable Top 10 List of them to keep you from shooting yourself in the foot. **Content:** # Misconceptions College Grads Have About Job Hunting ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** There’s a lot you’ve learned in school and one thing most of you think you know that you don’t is how [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) works. My guest, Steven Rothberg of [CollegeRecruiter.com](http://www.JobSearch.Community) and I discuss a veritable Top 10 List of them to keep you from shooting yourself in the foot. [***Figuring Out The Career To Pursue While in School***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cb6) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 00:05 So my guest today is Steven Rothberg. Steven is the founder and chief visionary officer of collegerecruiter.com, a job site where Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and other [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) who [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) at scale advertise their job openings, which tend to be part time, seasonal, internships, and other entry level [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that require zero to three years of experience. At any given time. There are about, catch this one, folks, 2 million active job postings on collegerecruiter.com. Steven, welcome. Thanks for making time today. **Steven Rothberg** 00:44 It’s so great to be here. Jeff, the sun is shining and your face is beaming. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 00:48 Oh, I know I was entertaining. So folks, we’re gonna be talking to those of you who are about to graduate school or, are in your senior year and talk with you about some of the misconceptions. I think you have. I know Steven believes you have, as you enter into the workforce about what this process is going to be like. So we’re going to do a top 10 list. Ooh. Steven, what do you think the first one is? Okay. **Steven Rothberg** 01:23 Wow, I guess I’m David Letterman here. Right? So with the top 10 list, probably the biggest misconception that we hear at collegerecruiter from [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), from students, recent grads, [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Services is this, and it’s been this way forever. We went live in 96. It’s been that this way, since before we went live. But people have this perception that if they . . . that, by the day, they graduate, they need to have a job lined up. And maybe that was true. Yeah, it’s like maybe that was true when my grandparents were graduating, and maybe even my parents, like in the 40s, and 50s. But, you know, for as long as I’ve been able to put my own socks on, it just hasn’t been true. The reality is, is that in most years, most students graduate without a job. And within six months of graduating, the vast majority of them have a job in their chosen [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path. That path might be consistent with their major. They might be an engineer if they went through engineering school. And it might be something completely different. They might have gone through engineering school, but what they really want to do is create art and sell it on Etsy. And that’s what they’re doing. Whatever it is. So you don’t have a job lined up by graduation? Take a chill pill. You’re in good company. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 02:52 It is so true. And even when I went back to what was in school, and was graduating back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Yeah, there were some type A personalities that [were working hard,](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-career-angles/) or in their senior year, they were wearing suits on to the college campuses. Folks, you’ve seen movies from the 60s. No one ever wore suits. But these, these little Republicans, no did no disrespect to Republicans, I really mean that. But 1960, come on, these Nixon Republicans were wearing suits on campus, and we were making fun of them relentlessly. So I’ll just simply say, Don’t sweat it. Don’t sweat it. You weren’t focused on this. You were having a good time, trying to get grades . . . maybe. And now you’re out there. And now you’re saying to yourself, “oh, shoot, or maybe the other word. I have to find a job. Because I don’t want to live with these people forever.” **Steven Rothberg** 03:53 They don’t want you to live with them forever either. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 03:58 But they tend to be more discreet about it, because they understand that they’re the fallback position. So they really want to get you out. So it’s now the time to start focusing. Maybe. **Steven Rothberg** 04:09 Yeah, and to be clear, right, Jeff, there’s nothing wrong with having a job before you graduate. There’s a lot of good stuff with that I did. And it relieved a lot of pressure, a lot of [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/). I could enjoy the last few months of school. That was all great. But don’t sweat it if you’re in roughly the half that don’t. Ready for number two? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 04:31 number 2!. **Steven Rothberg** 04:35 At some point in this, you’re going to have to pretend that you’re the count on Sesame Street and but not this one. So here’s another really big misconception and I hear this more from [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) and more from the College [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Service Offices than I do from the actual candidates. But a lot of [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) and a lot of [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) service office people would have us believe that the only good place to find an internship if you’re a student or the only good place to find an entry level job if you’re graduating is through your college or university [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) service office. And I have two letters for you– BS. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 05:11 Yeah. Yeah. You know, I have a friend who’s worked in one of those college offices. And he’s a former executive [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), retired, moved south. And every once in a while, he teaches classes. Now he’s gotten his PhD, but because of his previous [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), they bring him into the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) services office, to teach folks there how to do it. And they are clueless, absolutely clueless. And yes, some [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) may come into their offices. But most of the time, they’re gonna give you some of the most asinine, anachronistic ideas about how to find work. No, this is not the place to focus. **Steven Rothberg** 05:54 There are there are about 7400 post-secondary schools in the US. One year, two year four year colleges and universities. There is no way that there are 7400 highly qualified people in that role. And many of those offices have multiple people. I think the reality is, if you go to one of the 100, or 200, sort of [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) funded schools, you’re going to probably get some really good advice. But for the vast majority of the other [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) service offices, they’ve got one paid staff person, maybe a couple students who are working on like a work study program. And even if they’ve got great [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/), and they really want to be able to help you, they just don’t have the time. So there’s an association that a lot of [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) and [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Service Offices belong to that’s called the National Association of Colleges and Employers–NACE. And they reported, I think, probably five, six years ago, something like that, that only 15–15% of students find [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) through their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) service office. So if you’re not having [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) finding that job through [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) service office, again, take a chill pill 85% of your classmates are just like you. Use the office, they do have good information, there are well trained people in those offices, the vast majority of them, they want to be able to help you. Most of them don’t have time to be able to help you as much as they would like. And definitely lots of students find [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) through [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) services. But the reality is, most don’t. So use other channels. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 07:38 And here we have one of those friendly disagreements. My experience has been not all that competent, and I must in all candor say, you know, if you’re in an A plus university, you probably have an A+ [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Service. **Steven Rothberg** 07:50 Yes. [***The Next Great Step: The Parents’ Guide to Launching Your New Grad into a Career***](https://amzn.to/4g2h3is) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 07:51 If you went to a school no one’s ever heard the name of before. probably you don’t. **Steven Rothberg** 07:57 They don’t. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 07:58 You have to start looking outside of that venue, even though they promised you upon admission that they were there to help. Just don’t have the ability to. **Steven Rothberg** 08:08 Yeah, and as an as a University of Minnesota alum, I think we can agree that you definitely don’t want to go to the University of Wisconsin or count on any help from them. Right? That’s just an expression better dead than red. Sorry, just had to work that in here somehow. Number three? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 08:26 Number three. [***Launch Your Career. Get Ahead.***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g7a) **Steven Rothberg** 08:29 Number three is the flip side of this, that using [your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) Service Office is a waste of time. This I hear from students, I usually hear this from students or recent grads, who have never actually used their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) service office. So it’s kind of like friends of mine who won’t try sushi but say that sushi is really awful, right? If you’ve tried the sushi, and you really don’t like it, that’s fair. If you’ve used [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) service office, and they were a bunch of idiots, they couldn’t help you. They wouldn’t help you, whatever. Fair enough. But if you’ve haven’t tried using [your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) Service Office, do. Most of those offices do have good information. Most of them do have [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) coming on campus who are specifically looking to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) people like you. Most of the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) counselors, [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Service office directors, do have a lot of [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) to help people like you. And so a lot of students do find [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) or other help–Resume writing assistance, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), whatever through those office. It is not a waste of time for some students, but again, I think we’re in agreement that the better funded the office, the more likely it is that you’re going to get the help that you need. And the reality is universities have chosen to fund football stadiums a lot more than they’ve chosen to fund [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) services, **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 10:05 Go figure. The place where they make the money, the place where it’s already too late, you know, not getting any more money from you. So what a surprise. Are we up to number four? **Steven Rothberg** 10:23 Four, absolutely, we’re seeing was just still in single digits. So you and I are able to count this side. Another misconception and this one, I’m going to pin right on the students and recent grads, and this is the cheapness factor. I have a friend who has a computer, and she has written three [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) in her life, and therefore she should write mine. No, if you can afford it, have a professional do it. If your car needs repairs, might you have a friend who can repair it? Yeah, maybe, you know, if you need your wisdom teeth pulled, might you have a friend who can do that, maybe, um, you know if they’re a dentist, and they have the proper tools and whatever. But the reality is, is that very few people have any experience whatsoever in writing [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), and writing them in a way that is compelling, and designed to do what the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is designed to do, right? In my view, the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is a document that is supposed to get you from from point zero to .1. In other words, starting your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) and getting an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And once you have that [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), then a lot of other things become a heck of a lot more important. But a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is a, it’s a specific kind of a document. You can be the world’s [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) writer, and be horrible at writing [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), or the other way around. So get help from an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/), whether that’s some kind of great software, whether that’s a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach, whether that’s somebody who writes [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) for a living, but, boy, when I see people complaining about they’ve applied to 50 [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), and I look at their skill set, and I look at the [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) they’re [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to. And it’s like there’s something missing here. Why aren’t they getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), nine times out of 10, it’s the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 12:21 and the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that they’re sending out repetitively without edits to demonstrate how they fit that particular job. They act like the broken watch that’s right twice a day. They send that out constantly. And it doesn’t make a case for that job. It’s one thing if you post that [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) on a job board, because you need something generic to draw people to you but when you’re [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for something, you want to do a certain amount of tailoring to demonstrate the fit. But your point was that all your friends and all your family, they’re not [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) writers. That even your Dad, your mom who may work professionally, your aunt or uncle, whoever it is, they’re not [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) writers. They may read them, but it’s different. So [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) someone who knows how to do this because, trust me, it’s different writing for you than for someone with 15 or [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) of experience. **Steven Rothberg** 13:22 Yeah, **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 13:23 and they’re not gonna know how to write your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). And you’re gonna look at it, and you’re gonna have to smile and say, “Thanks, mom. Thanks, dad.” And you know, it sucks. They feel like you have to use it. **Steven Rothberg** 13:37 Yeah. And then you don’t want to show them the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that you’re actually using, which is not the one that they’d helped you with. But hey, moms and dads are great. As a dad, I can say dads are great. Well, occasionally, maybe some dads, I’ll meet when at some point. Ready for the next one? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 13:54 Number five. [***Recent Graduate? Five Things to Keep In Mind While Negotiating an Offer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-frS) **Steven Rothberg** 13:56 If I don’t graduate with an internship, I’ll never get hired into a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) related role, Wrong. Wrong, Wrong. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 14:03 They ought to do a song on this one. goes off. Not true. Yeah. **Steven Rothberg** 14:10 So this is a misconception that I think is spawned more by the [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Service office folks than than anybody else. And one of the things that I really detest about how the specifically American higher education system has evolved, and it’s different in other countries, this is not how the world operates, is that the American higher education system is all about the money. And one of the ways that schools make money off the backs of students who are racking up a massive amount of student debt is to say to those students that you can only call something an internship if you pay us money, so that you can call it an internship, and then we’ll give you one course credit, that’s going to get you closer to graduation by about 14 minutes. And it’s despicable, quite frankly. You can go and you can work and do any job for any employer without the permission of your college or university. And don’t let them tell you otherwise, if you can’t call it an internship for purposes of getting class credit, you can still call it an internship on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because that [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is between you and your employer or potential employer. So if your employer calls it an internship, so can you, even if you don’t pay your school hundreds of dollars for the privilege of having that internship and getting a measly course credit hour. At the end of the day, [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) the candidate that is most likely to be able to do the job. And if you can demonstrate to that employer, that you’re looking to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me to do X, Y, and Z. and I have done X, Y and Z for this other organization, then that employer is not going to care what your job title was. They’re not going to care what you were paid. They want more than anything else to know that you can do the work. Your previous job title matters to get you your foot in the door. The pay you got matters to some [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) who are going to try to base the pay, what they pay you on what you were paid in your previous job, although that’s becoming less common. But an internship is not something that is in control of [your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) Service Office. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 16:48 So true. I did a master’s in social work because I was thinking of becoming becoming a therapist in private practice. And we were forced to do four semesters of field work and pay for a part time job is what it comes down to. So we were paying the course credits, which were more than a few $100. at the masters level, for the privilege of going to in my case, the first year was awful. A social services agency in midtown Manhattan, where termination of the client began at the time that they were doing the intake with them, because they were never coming back because it was a place where there were a lot of drugs and alcohol. And they were just there for the night and gone. But you had to go through this. And folks, you don’t have to in a lot of programs. Master’s in social work, you’re stuck with that. But many of you don’t have to do this. Even if you’ve got a part time job, I think the idea is if you can flip this into something full time at graduation, and after graduation, that’s the original idea. The internships, they get a chance to try you out and figure out if they want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. But so much of this now is just garbage, no reason to put up with. **Steven Rothberg** 18:10 Yeah, and you know, the smaller the organization you’re working for, the more likely it is that your manager or the owner or the executive director, would be very [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to have the conversation with you of “can I call this an internship?” I mean, we’ve we’ve had students work for us that we weren’t advertising the role as an internship. They came to work for us. And they’re like, you know, I’m basically an intern and can I call it that? It’d be helpful on my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/).” It’s like, hell yeah, what you’re doing is that is is basically an internship and oh, by the way we’re paying you. So let’s not get into that part of the conversation. But by the way, the Social Work work that you were describing, sounds like they were paying you in drugs and alcohol. I think that’s more than fair compensation for that kind of work. But another story for now. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 18:58 Not the case. Not the case! **Steven Rothberg** 19:02 So, next item. Number six, is it? Yeah. Okay. I think so. Yeah. So now now we’re sort of starting to lose track; it must be the drugs and alcohol. So Okay, the next one is, this was something really common for my parents’ generation and the ones before that. So think like older baby [boomers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/10-career-mistakes-boomers-made-that-gen-x-should-avoid-part-2/), you know, people who were born in, say, like the 30s 40s, maybe 50s had this attitude that if you’re good at something, that’s the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path you should pursue. So, like my father, for example, really good at math. So therefore, he became an accountant. Miserable at being an accountant. He was good at it, but he didn’t like it. So at a relatively early age, I think he was in his 30s. He got the heck out of accounting and did something where he could enjoy his life. That I think is something that there’s sort of a current generation of students, Gen Z have a better handle around, it’s one thing to be good at something, it’s another thing to have to do that day after day after day after day for the rest of your life. So just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean that’s what you need to have as your chosen [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 20:14 That example of your dad growing up back in the day, was very common. And I remember when I went into recruiting, I got that message from my dad who’s tried to be helpful to me, because I’m someone who graduated with an undergraduate in political science. For those of you who are going to listen to this, as a podcast, I gave a thumbs up and a sarcastic look on my face. So the reality is, you may not like it, even though you may have an intrinsic capability to do it. Just be aware, if you’re not sure of what to do. I always encourage people, there are [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) assessment exams, that will give you ideas. They’re not perfect. You have to test what they recommend to you but it gives you some ideas of things to explore well. How do you test those ideas? You talk to people who are doing the work. I don’t know anyone who is doing the work! You can find them on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). You can ask people that you know. There’s lots of different ways that you can get introduced to someone who’s very willing, excuse my slang here, to talk to the nice puppy who’s thinking of going into the field is going to sit there panting in front of them and give you a real idea of what it’s like to work in the field. The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly, just so you know, because surprises are never good. **Steven Rothberg** 21:45 Yeah, although what is always good, it’s a Clint Eastwood reference. So the good, the bad, and the ugly for those of you who aren’t film buffs, but another misconception is higher education is a waste of money. Now I see this BS being trotted out more and more over the last few years, mostly by people who are wealthy, mostly by people who are highly educated themselves, mostly by people who would never dream of telling their own kids not to pursue some kind of higher education. It is an excuse for keeping lower income and middle income people in lower income and middle income [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Education is always a good thing. Political Science degree is unlikely to [lead you directly into a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/an-underutilized-resource-for-job-leads/). There just aren’t very many [job postings](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-dont-companies-include-salary-in-job-postings/) that for political scientist, but it does do a phenomenal job of [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) your mind and the critical thinking skills that you acquire in a major like that are more in demand by more [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) than anything else. You can train somebody to read a balance sheet, but you can’t train them to think critically. [***How College Seniors Can Prepare For The Job Market***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eVw) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 23:10 Thank you for letting me know that that’s those years of tuition I did back in the stone ages were not a complete wastec of time. **Steven Rothberg** 23:22 You know, another one that bugs me is that there’s a misconception is that you need to accept any job that is offered to you that offers great experience, instead of great pay. This is sort of the unpaid internship scenario or somebody who’s graduating and being paid poverty wages, and the employer will basically say, ‘Well, you should be so grateful to work for us. We’re going to give you all this fantastic experience, and we’re going to pay you a pittance or perhaps nothing.’ Now, in some years, during recessions or during depressions, maybe you have to choose between [a job that offers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-how-long-can-you-consider-a-job-offer/) great experience and great pay. This is not one of those job markets, you absolutely should be able to find a job that offers both great experience and great pay. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 24:25 And we’re recording this in April of 2022. You may watch this at a different time were times are different. But right now we’re dealing with labor shortages, and firms desperate to find people. They want people who meet certain standards, so they keep recycling [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) over and over again, without pulling the trigger many times. But the reality is, don’t fall for this BS. Unless your family is independently wealthy and is willing to write checks to you to deal with your apartment, to buy you a house, to pay your bills, you’re going to need money from somewhere. And if you can’t afford to go to work for someplace, don’t do it, I’ll also let you in on a little secret, folks. Once you start that job, continue to look for a while to find something that actually will pay you money. And if asked about it, because I never believe in lying, you tell individuals I needed to get to work. I’m making less than subsistence wages, I want to come to join your firm. I’m going to commit to being with you for a lengthy period of time. Pay me properly. You know what cost of living is like here? Imagine being in the Bay Area making $15 an hour and expecting to find that pay your rent and eat one or the other. **Steven Rothberg** 25:51 Yeah. And the another problem with taking a job that– this isn’t a misconception, but just to build on what you were saying, Jeff, is that if you start off working for say, $15 an hour, and you should really be working at $25 an hour. It becomes really, really hard to get your pay up to the level where it should be because the employer that hired you is unlikely to basically double your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). The next time you’re that you deserve a [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/), they might increase it by five or 10%. You’re just never going to catch up. And there are definitely a lot of [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) still who will say “Oh, well, okay, well, we’re gonna consider [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you for this job, what were you making in your last job, and you tell them 15 bucks an hour, and then they’re good, maybe they’re gonna [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) you 20, when really you should be getting 25 or 30. So if you start off [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) making below market wages, it’s going to be really hard to catch up. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 26:50 They’re already places in the country where it’s no longer legal to ask about your current [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). That’s starting to eliminate that scenario. But many people, most parts of the United States, they can still ask that. And in other parts of the world, they could ask. So just be aware, if you take something below market, you’re gonna hurt yourself for many years to come. It’s gonna be hard to catch up. **Steven Rothberg** 27:15 Yep, absolutely. Um, two more, I think **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 27:19 So I think two. So we’re up to number nine. **Steven Rothberg** 27:24 Number nine is pressure that I think parents and grandparents put on mostly [young adults](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-conversation-with-a-young-adult/). So what are you going to do with your life? Like when you’re 20, or 21? You know, what you’re going to be doing when you’re 60? Even if you think you know what you’re going to be doing when you’re 60. Right? Put down the bong because, no, you don’t. You, at [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), I think can map out the next five years. You know, for those of us of a certain generation or older that remember the Soviet Union, highly centralized economy, like the trains didn’t move unless somebody in the Kremlin said, move that train from A to B, even the Soviets only had five year plans, because they knew to plan further out than that was just a falling. Now, that’s not to say that you can’t have dreams, and think, ‘Hey, I would love when I’m 60 to be doing X, Y and Z.’ But to map out [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) for the next 40 years, I’m going to be doing this for two years, and then that for three years, and then that for 18 months, then that for four years. Gee! No way. So I would say at [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/), try to figure out where you want to be five years from now and then map that out. There are a number of tools online that are great for [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) mapping. One of them is a partner of collegerecruiters. It’s a it’s a site called zippia. Z-I-P-P-I-A. And you can do things like put in a major, and it’ll say, Oh, if you have this major, these are the different occupational paths that you can follow and this is what they pay. And you can click and search for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in those areas. Or in this case, you can say, ‘hey, I want to have a job with this job title. How do I get there?’ And it will say these are the 12 different paths to getting to that. I want to be a project manager. These are the 12 different ways that you can become a project manager. But don’t try to. . . Don’t allow yourself to be put in that parent or grandparent box of what are you going to do when you’re their age. [***Grad Student? 4 Pointers to Help You Prepare for Your Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eQX) **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 29:41 You know, they and most of you were raised with the idea of climbing the ladder. as though there’s a ladder to [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Reid Hoffman, who founded [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) came up with a different concept a few years ago. He refers to me as a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) jungle gym where you’re leaping from one part of the jungle gym to another, because there’s no direct progressions anymore. So you need to be alert to how your field is evolving, and where the opportunities are there because the path is not linear anymore. Especially with all the changes in technology that have occurred and are about to occur, you have to be the CEO of your own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Don’t outsource your [career planning](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hows-your-plan-going/) to your employer. They have their interests at heart, not yours. And by looking out for yourself, number one, your wages will be higher. And number two, you’re not going to get caught short, like musical chairs. Remember musical chairs like when you were little, and discover that the field that you’ve committed to is going away. So be aware of that jungle gym idea, folks. It does make a difference. And number 10. **Steven Rothberg** 31:01 Number 10 is taking a few months off after graduation is a bad idea. Misconception! I think it is one of the greatest things that a recent grad can do. And those few months off might come immediately after graduation. Or it might be a year or two or three years after graduation. And if you can’t afford it, take a few months off and but you can figure out a way of taking a couple of weeks in between graduation and your first job or a couple of weeks in between your second job and your third job. Do it. You know when we look back on our lives, and people who are on their deathbeds, no one ever says, I wish I had worked more. But a lot of them say things like ‘I wish I had experienced more, traveled more, you know, sheltered some puppies so that they could find forever homes, whatever it is that really charges your batteries. If you’re financially able to take that time, do it. We just hired a new head of sales and partnerships for collegerecruiter. And he was working for the same company for I think it was eight years. And he says to us, is it okay if I take a week off from my last day with my old employer and my first day with collegerecruiter? Right. And in our minds, it’s like when we wish you had started six months ago. But yeah, take that week off. Once you’ve been here a month, we’re gonna hardly even remember that week. But it will allow you to, to recharge your batteries and to come in feeling fresh and invigorated. And you know, when people going straight from you know, 12, 13, 14 years of school right into the workforce, and then maybe right into another job and then right into another job. For God’s sake, breathe, take a breath. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 33:02 It’s so true. No one is going to care that you took a few weeks off, a few months off after graduation. You’re a kid, you’re supposed to do stuff like this. Enjoy your life because you when you get to be my age. I’m not going to be assumptive about you–your age, ok. There comes a point where you do have regrets about not having done certain things. For now, you may be pushed, shall we say, by parents or other individuals that do stuff that doesn’t ring true. Go out and have a good time. You have my permission. My permission is more important than your parents. Right? 33:46 Right. Yeah. You know, when I’m talking to people about like, what kind of job should they be looking for? So like, one thing is you want a job that’s going to allow you to pay your bills. You want a job that’s going to allow you to do meaningful work, , something that you’re interested in, that you care about. And you want a job that maybe leaves the world a better place than what you found it in. And if you can get all three of those. What else is there? **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 34:13 Well, this is where I was about to pull the joke of ‘greed is good.’ Sorry, an old 1980s movie reference, folks. I apologize. **Steven Rothberg** 34:25 Yes, Mr. Gordon Gekko. **[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** 34:28 It’s an Oliver Stone movie, so I get permission to use it. But the fact of the matter is, this is what you’ll aspire to. And that’s and for now upon graduation, have a little bit of a life because you’re gonna be working a lot of hours going forward. Steven, this has been a lot of fun. How can people find that more about you, CollegeRecruiter , EVERYTHING? **Steven Rothberg** 34:53 Yeah, sure. So if you’re looking for part time, seasonal, internships, [entry level jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/winning-job-interviews-for-entry-level-professionals/), we focus on those that have that requires zero to three years of experience. We’re global. So we have English language [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) in dozens of countries. Go to our site collegerecruiter.com. You don’t need to log in. In fact, we don’t accept, we don’t make it possible for anybody to register with our site or provide any personally identifiable information. So you know we’re not going to be taking your data and then selling it to the highest bidder. We have literally 10s of thousands of [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) who are advertising their [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) with us. And it’s our mission to help students and recent grads find better [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/), great [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). **Steven Rothberg** 35:43 And if an employer happens to stumble into this because they’re curious? Same thing? There’s information on the site about how to advertise with you I’m sure? **Steven Rothberg** 35:51 Yeah, absolutely. They can they can email me it’s Steven@collegerecruiter.com or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/StevenRothberg. Hit me up. [***Branding for Students***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dXt) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***LinkedIn Mistakes People Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hHk) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Personal Branding: What Are Your Strengths***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hA2) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** College Grads, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** College Grads, college graduates, Job Search Mistakes, Misconceptions College Grads Have About Job Hunting, Misconceptions Students Have at Graduation About Job Hunting, Recent grads, Recent graduates, Top 10 job search mistakes college graduates make, Top 10 job search mistakes recent grads make, Top 10 job search mistakescollege grads make --- ### [Stop Applying and Start Auditing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-and-start-auditing/) **Published:** June 9, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the three specific frameworks you need to audit your career and land a role that actually fits. **Content:** # Stop Applying and Start Auditing **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop wasting your time on “spray and pray” [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) that lead nowhere. You aren’t failing; you’re trapped by psychological biases that keep you in a cycle of [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/). This episode breaks down the three specific frameworks you need to audit [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) and land a role that actually fits. If you’re currently looking for a job, you know the exhaustion. You spend hours pushing out [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), replacing a lack of clarity with sheer volume. But struggling to figure your next move is not a personal failure. It usually comes down to two measurable psychological traps: the sunk cost fallacy, where you feel tied to the years you’ve already invested, and identity attachment, where changing [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) feels like losing a piece of who you are. When those traps take hold, the reflex is to act. You fire off hundreds of AI-polished [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) hoping something sticks, without pausing to define what you actually require from the role. The result is entirely predictable. You become a blurry silhouette in a massive [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) pool. If you do land a job this way, the odds are high that it will be a severe mismatch for your skills and goals. We need to bypass the generic advice and break this loop. To do that, we are going to match your specific [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) blockage to one of three analytical frameworks. Skipping this self-reflection saves you time today, but it ensures you’ll spend the next several years in another mismatched role, building toward a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) you never actually wanted. Profile one is the spray and pray applicant. You are frustrated, tight on time, and sending your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to anything that loosely resembles your background. The specific error here is operating under the delusion that [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) volume equals [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) momentum. It doesn’t. To fix this, you have to stop [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) completely and run a baseline audit on your past roles. The mechanics are straightforward. Look at your previous job. Write down the expectations you had before you started, and place them right next to the actual reality of your daily tasks. This isolates what you want to do from what you can do. From that contrast, extract three strict non-negotiable values. That might be a hard compensation floor, remote work flexibility, or a specific team structure. Implementing this filter cuts down the raw volume of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) you can apply for, but it takes you out of a position of desperation and puts you in a position of alignment, giving you actual leverage in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). Profile two is the optimizer. You are an early to mid-career professional. You feel unfulfilled, and you are trying to weigh competing priorities like pay, lifestyle, and social impact. To map priorities, we use the WAM framework, defining [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) options by three axes: wealth, autonomy, and meaning. Wealth measures [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) capital: rare skills, economic optionality, and financial runway. Autonomy is control over tasks, while meaning measures your counterfactual social impact. The [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) optimizers make is falling into control traps. This happens when you try to maximize autonomy before you have built enough [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) capital to actually command that leverage in the market. The math of this model requires satisficing. If you decide to chase peak meaning or peak autonomy, you almost always have to make a conscious, calculated sacrifice regarding your peak wealth. So the optimizer has to accept a compromise across these three axes. Continuing to hunt for a mythical, perfect dream job that maximizes all three will only keep you paralyzed. Our third profile is the paralyzed pivot. You are further along in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you desperately want a change, but you are frozen by the psychological weight of the status you’ve already built. You are stuck because status quo bias makes the familiar feel safe. Your identity is attached to your current title, making a pivot feel like a threatening loss of self. To unfreeze, you need Odyssey prototyping. Instead of one massive leap, you draft three divergent five-year plans. The expected path is your current trajectory. The alternative path is what you’d do if your industry vanished. The wild card is your dream scenario. Execute these prototypes through micro-experiments. Shadow a friend in another industry, conduct informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and gather real, physical data without making a full commitment. Prototyping requires committing your time to experiments while you still hold your current job. But this effort replaces guesswork with real data, letting you test a new life before you actually commit your livelihood to it. True [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) clarity is never found by endlessly scrolling job boards. It is engineered by auditing your past, recognizing the capital you need for the autonomy you want, and prototyping your future. Overwhelmed? Audit your values. Torn between priorities? Chart your options on the WAM axis. Terrified to pivot? Prototype three distinct futures. Regardless of which profile fits you, there is one final requirement: you must set a hard decision deadline. Open-ended deliberation leads to perpetual postponement. Setting a specific date to make your choice forces you out of analysis paralysis and into execution. Not deciding is still a decision. Committing to an imperfect path today is always better than letting the compounding cost of inaction make the choice for you. There is much more to help you at[ JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). If you become an insider, you’ll receive coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), plus access to all of his video courses, books, and guides, and the ability to ask him questions through the site. You can download the free content at the site, receive a weekly article to help your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), purchase individual courses, books, and guides.There is a lot there to help you. [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Applying for a Job, Mistakes **Tags:** Stop Applying and Start Auditing --- ### [Escape the LinkedIn Commodity Trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) **Published:** June 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn how to trade low-value volume for high-friction signals that actually land high-ticket roles.  **Content:** # Escape the LinkedIn Commodity Trap Most professionals treat [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) like a digital [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), but [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use it as a live data set. If you’re relying on “Easy Apply” and generic job titles, you’re invisible to the algorithm. Learn how to trade low-value volume for high-friction signals that actually land high-ticket roles. You are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for roles you are perfectly qualified for, yet your inbox remains empty. Meanwhile, you watch peers with half your experience get poached by [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). This matrix highlights the disconnect. Most professionals treat their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile like the left column, a static trophy case of job titles and generic skills. But the right column shows the reality. The platform operates as a live data set. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use back-end search tools to filter this data set for specific individuals who represent a solution to an immediate strategic problem. If you use conventional [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) habits to appeal to every possible employer, you end up feeding the algorithm generic data that simply labels you as a [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) rather than a specialized asset. We are going to audit your digital footprint by evaluating the exact return on investment of trading low- friction habits for high-friction algorithmic signals. Winning the attention economy requires moving past real-world experience to broadcast a high-resolution digital signal. This quadrant chart maps the signal killers on your profile, weighing the effort required to fix them against their actual algorithmic impact. The green open-to-work photo frame is a primary example. While it shows readiness, high-value professionals are perceived as being in high demand. Broadcasting availability to your entire network often triggers a subconscious scarcity bias. Setting your open-to-work preferences to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) only moves your profile into this high-impact quadrant. You lose the visual support of a public announcement, but you gain the leverage of appearing as a high-demand asset in the back-end searches where [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) actually happens. Then there is the identity crisis. Using a passive job title as your headline wastes the most valuable real estate on your profile by trying to appeal to everyone at once. Replacing that title with a specific value proposition and a quantitative result provides an immediate reason for a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) to click. Laser focusing your headline makes you invisible to random irrelevant roles, but it guarantees visibility for one specific target. Limiting your options through specialization is a reliable method to escape the [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) trap of the generalist. The easy apply button functions as a volume trap. Because the process is frictionless, a single posting can receive thousands of entries. This high volume of data points reduces high-value professionals to anonymous entries in an unmanageable pile. To fix this, ignore the button. Find a person on the team and send a connection request with a two-sentence note identifying a specific public reason for the reach out. Establishing peer-level rapport bypasses the volume trap, though it requires a significant time investment that often reduces your total [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) volume by 80%. [***Linked: Conquer LinkedIn. Get Your Dream Job. Own Your Future.***](https://amzn.to/4v4MZaz) Algorithmic silence is another silent killer. If you don’t engage with the platform, the system assumes your profile is dormant and de-prioritizes it in search results. Commit to leaving two expert-level comments per day on industry-leading posts to signal you are an active participant in your field. This sustained daily commitment prevents the profile from being de-prioritized, ensuring the algorithm keeps you visible to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Trading sheer volume for deep personalized engagement shifts your status from a candidate seeking work to an active, visible peer. Your profile must eventually pass through the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) view, where your history is condensed into data. Using generic skills or non-standard industry terms often causes automated filters to skip your profile entirely. You must standardize your location and industry terms while aligning your skills with the knowledge clusters of your target role. The most difficult challenge is moving off-platform to face [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) like Workday or Greenhouse. Identifying the specific software from the [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) page URL is the [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) in tailoring your data. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) prompts to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) that specific system’s parsing quirks, then rewrite your technical experience to match its unique natural language processing patterns. This ensures high ranking within the system, but it requires tedious reconnaissance and a unique document for every single submission. Bypassing an automated gatekeeper is a mechanical task of precise data alignment, not a reflection of your professional worth. [***Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI*** ](https://amzn.to/4djA7WJ) This scorecard illustrates why high-volume, generic [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) rarely result in hires. In a crowded market, attempting to appeal to everyone signals to no one. If you prioritize volume and treat the job hunt as a numbers game, this high-friction methodology will feel frustrating. Low-friction tools like easy apply provide a false sense of progress while actively minimizing your visibility to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). For the strategic optimizer ready to be sought out for their expertise, embracing this friction is necessary. You must focus your time on engineering your only-ness, mapping knowledge clusters, and directly targeting the specific parsers used by your target [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). There is a lot more to help you at jobsearch.community. Become an insider and get coaching from Jeff Altman, [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), plus all of his video courses, books, guides, and more. You can also purchase individual products and services. Again, that’s jobsearch.community. Ultimately, choosing the high-friction path forces the market to see your specific expertise rather than your general availability. ***[15 Ways To Evaluate Headhunters And Recruiters](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k02)*** *One of the reasons [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) may not be contacting you on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is that you don’t have your privacy settings set to public. Make sure that’s the case by going to the word ME underneath your picture on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). You can change it there.* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** Escape the LinkedIn Commodity Trap --- ### [Mastering Interview Anxiety: The Psychology of Unflappable Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) **Published:** June 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the exact "pre-performance routine" used by elite athletes to manual override the fight-or-flight response. **Content:** # Mastering Interview Anxiety: The Psychology of Unflappable Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop letting a surge of adrenaline hijack your brain during high-stakes [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). This episode breaks down the exact “pre-performance routine” used by elite athletes to manual override the fight-or-flight response. Learn the science-backed physiological and linguistic shifts that project authority when the pressure is highest. **Timestamps** 0:00 – The Biology of the “Freeze Response” in [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) 0:27 – The Pre-Performance Routine: Mastering Your Physiology 0:54 – Power Posing: Hacking Your Testosterone and Cortisol 1:33 – Decatastrophizing: Neutralizing Worst-Case Scenarios :00 – Overcoming the Spotlight Effect and Affect Labeling 2:25 – Cognitive Reframing: Turning Judges into Teammates 2:52 – The 10-Second Buffer: How to Reset Mid-Interview 3:16 – The Physiological Sigh: A Biological Reset Button 3:41 – The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Method 4:10 – The 3-Second Silence Rule for Tough Questions 4:31 – The Past-Tense Buffer: Reframing Your Weaknesses Welcome to JobSearchTV. When you sit down across from a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager, you are entering high stakes social theater, a direct test of your emotional regulation. You’ve likely felt your mind go entirely blank right after a difficult question. That freeze response is biological. Under extreme pressure, your body releases a surge of adrenaline, triggering a fight or flight reaction that literally hijacks your brain’s executive function. You can manually override this reaction. Elite athletes use a strategy called a pre-performance routine, a structured step-by-step toolkit designed to regulate the body and mind before the pressure hits. By [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) these same steps to [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you take that uncontrolled panic response and replace it with a projected state of unflappable authoritative [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). Let’s build your routine. Step one starts two minutes before your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) begins, ideally in a private space. You are going to adopt the Wonder Woman power pose, standing tall, chest out, hands on hips, taking up as much physical space as possible. If you look at high status leaders facing immense pressure, you will notice they consistently utilize this exact open stance to project composure and authority. This chart illustrates quantitative findings from Harvard [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on body language. It shows that holding the specific physical stance alters your brain chemistry. Testosterone, which drives [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/), rises by 20%, while cortisol, your primary [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) hormone, drops by 25%. While holding this stance, you’re going to apply a psychological technique called decatastrophizing. Mentally confront your worst case what-if scenarios. What if I stumble on my words? What if I completely blank on a question? When you force yourself to confront those exact fears while physically holding a dominant low [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) posture, you preemptively starve your brain of the [stress](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-stress-2/) hormones required to trigger a panic attack. As you walk into the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) room, recognize a cognitive [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) called the spotlight effect. This is the false assumption that the interviewer is hyper focused on judging your every physical movement and potential flaw. When you sit down and feel your heart start to use affect labeling. Silently tell yourself that you are feeling adrenaline because you care about the opportunity, actively identifying the physical sensation as productive [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) rather than fear. Next, apply cognitive reframing. Instead of viewing the interviewer as a hostile judge interrogating you, shift your internal narrative to view them as a future peer, and the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) itself as two teammates collaborating on a problem. By actively re-categorizing the person across the table as a teammate, you neutralize your brain’s threat detection system. This ensures your cognitive resources remain fully available to analyze and answer their questions. Even with strong preparation, a highly complex or aggressive question can catch you off guard, causing a sudden mid-interview spike in anxiety and physiological panic. When that happens, reach for your glass and take a slow sip of water. This simple, natural movement buys you 5-10 seconds of processing time without making you appear panicked or frozen. During that window, execute a physiological sigh. This is a rapid biological reset button that offloads the buildup of carbon dioxide in your system, immediately lowering your physiological arousal. This diagram outlines the exact mechanics of the You take a double inhale through the nose to fully inflate the air sacs in your lungs, followed by an extended 6-second exhale through the mouth. If your mind is still racing, rely on the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding backup method. Push your big toes firmly into the floor inside your shoes. That physical sensation forces your brain to process external stimuli instead of looping internally on anxiety. These tactical movements are entirely invisible to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. They give you immediate manual control over your autonomic nervous system, keeping you grounded while seated right at the table. Eventually, you will face the notoriously anxiety-inducing question, what is your greatest weakness? This is a diagnostic of your self awareness. When asked, apply the 3-second silence rule. Pause, give a slight genuine smile, and then begin. This delay projects gravitas and signals neurological safety to your own brain. Then you use a linguistic structure called the past tense buffer. You must place your flaw strictly in the past tense, and your coping mechanism in the present tense. Rather than making a fatal, identity-based admission, like I am bad at delegating, you apply the formula, in the past I took on too much, now I use a weekly delegation audit. That is your completed pre-performance routine. Hacking your posture, executing a cognitive reframe, managing your breathing with the physiological sigh, and [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) the linguistic pivot. Successfully executing these techniques proves to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager that you possess the emotional intelligence and self-regulation required to handle high-pressure environments. If this routine helped you prepare, like this video, subscribe to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV, and tell us your most panic-inducing [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) question in the comments below. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) this toolkit gives you the psychological infrastructure to remain present and composed during your most important [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) moments. 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Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the former host and now producer of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Mastering Interview Anxiety: The Psychology of Unflappable Interview --- ### [Lessons Learned from a Job Search #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/lessons-learned-from-a-job-search-shorts/) **Published:** June 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Tim Parker, who just accepted a VP Business Development role, shared his lessons learned **Content:** # Lessons Learned from a Job Search #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/U8V_L2QuB38) I’ve done these for my podcast , No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, but I’m going to move it to YouTube. Tim Parker, who just accepted a VP Business Development role, shared his lessons learned [***How Do You Rattle a Candidate Out of Their Comfort Zone?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aVR) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) He is the former host and now producer of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Lessons from a Successful Job Search **Tags:** Lessons Learned from a Job Search --- ### [Interviews #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) **Published:** June 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A six second video about interviewing. **Content:** # Interviews #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/QTNEZOqhM8g) A six-second video about [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the former host and now producer of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews **Tags:** 6 second job search tips, job interview, job interview advice, job interview tips --- ### [4 Steps to Getting Better Resume Results](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Before it closed in anticipation of a move to its new home, I took my son to The Four Seasons Restaurant in New York for lunch. **Content:** # 4 Steps to Getting Better Resume Results ## (Lose 25 Pounds, Grow Hair and Lose 3 Inches Of Belly Fat) **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Before it closed in anticipation of a move to its new home, I took my son to The Four Seasons Restaurant in New York for lunch. One of the owners, Alex, is an old friend, and my son and I hadn’t been back to New York for a few years since moving to North Carolina. Everything came together beautifully.[![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/four-seasons-bar-300x200.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/four-seasons-bar.jpg) We sat at the bar with Alex and ordered lunch. The appetizer arrived for each of us. My son looked at it. “It’s beautiful!” We ate it, an entrée and dessert, and each time he exclaimed how wonderful each item looked and tasted. Each dish was beautifully [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/), plated, and presented with a discerning eye to how a guest would receive it. When an employer asks for a menu to order a new [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), s/he is not looking for a Quarter Pounder or Big Mac. They want something aesthetically beautiful that delights just like my son was delighted by each dish. They want something special. Is every job description you read the same? No. Is every job you submit your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to the same? Of course, they aren’t. If all these job descriptions are different, why do you submit the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as though you are flipping burgers at a fast-food restaurant? Every day, people send the same generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) out as though each position was identical and each employer was attempting to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) identical skills and attributes. Too often, the results they receive are like the broken watch that is right twice a day–hit or miss [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). They list their name, phone numbers, and email address, list an objective, education, and chronology of experience with dates of [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). The [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) includes some successes or accomplishments. This is their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). In the days prior to computers when changing a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) required you to re-type different versions, this made sense. Today, when computers allow you to customize, spell and grammar check documents so easily, you are missing out on opportunities and costing yourself money by being lazy and not tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for each opportunity you are interested in. You are not serving a beautiful meal. You are preparing a Quarter Pounder! Here are several steps that you can do to improve your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and get better results. 1. **Each employer will be interested in different attributes of your experience.** They often indicate it by the items they describe in their job ad or the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) described to you. Emphasize the experiences that you have that relate to the skills being sought and the functions you will perform in the job they will ask you to perform. If you are [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for a staff position, emphasize your staff experience and minimize your management experience. If you are being hired to be a leader, write about your recent leadership. 2\. **[Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) are more interested in recent work, rather than work you did many years ago.** Use more space in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to highlight recent experience, rather than things you did before Barack Obama became President. 3\. **Like setting a goal where you make them (specific, measurable, achievable within a specific period of time), describe your successes or achievements concretely.** Reducing costs is a nice start but it is more powerful to describe something as reducing operational costs globally by 2%. Increased departmental sales by 27% resulting in . . . You get the idea. Use action verbs wherever possible 4\. **Ask someone you trust to critique what you’ve written.** Too often, people believe that they can do everything by themselves without [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/). Ask a friend in your industry to critique what you’ve written to ensure you’re on target and aren’t missing the mark. [![](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sports-car.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sports-car.jpg)If you were buying a sports car and the car salesman started showing you a minivan, you would probably scratch your head and ask, “Uh, excuse me but I want to see a sports car. “But this is a great car!” “And I want a sports car..” Every day, job hunters try to sell minivans to sports car owners. Their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in no way, shape or form fits the requirement and they become indignant at not hearing anything from the employer or [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). You’ve served them a Quarter Pounder when they wanted something special. *One more thing. If you follow these instructions, you will feel better about yourself, lose 25 pounds instantly and take 3 inches off your waist. The growing hair stuff is wishful thinking on my part.* ## [***I Keep Sending Out Resumes, Following Up and Getting No Results***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bXY) © [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc. Asheville, NC 2017, 2021, 2026 [**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** 4 Steps to Getting Better Resume Results, resume, resume advice, resume tips --- ### [Finding Hiring Managers on LinkedIn Like a Pro](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-hiring-managers-on-linkedin-like-a-pro/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Finding Hiring Managers on LinkedIn Like a Pro **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you want to find [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), stop behaving like a polite tourist and start acting like a professional hunter who knows exactly what they’re tracking. This is where most job hunters blow it: they treat [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) like a giant job board instead of what it really is–a searchable database of people with the authority to say “yes.” You’re not on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to collect “Likes.” You’re there to get in front of the person who can hire you or walk your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into that person’s office. Once you accept that, the way you use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) changes fast. **Know who you’re hunting** Before you start clicking around, you need a target. “Hiring manager” is not a job title. In your world, the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager is the person two levels up from where you sit today or want to sit next. If you’re a senior developer, that might be an Engineering Manager, Director of Engineering, or VP of Engineering. If you’re in marketing, maybe it’s a Director of Marketing or VP of Demand Generation. The point is simple: figure out the real-world titles of the people who could conceivably own the budget for the role you want. Then you layer in industry and function. You’re looking for “Director of Supply Chain, consumer goods, New York,” not “manager somewhere who might like my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/).” Precision saves time and gets you talking to decision-makers instead of people who can only say, “I’ll pass your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) along.” **Use LinkedIn’s search the right way** Now you go hunting. Start with the search bar and switch to the **People** filter. Type in the title you identified–“Director of Engineering,” “VP Sales,” “Head of Product”–then start narrowing. Filter by location, current company, or industry. This is where the database becomes useful. Next, use the “Current company” filter to zero in on organizations you actually want to work for. Build a short list of 15-30 companies. Run the same title search against each. Now you’ve got a list of real human beings with the authority to help you—not a faceless “careers@company.com” inbox. If you see someone who looks like they might be too senior, don’t overthink it. Senior people have [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers reporting to them. They can [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you down just as easily as someone can [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you up. And often, they’re more responsive than HR because they live with the problem you can solve. **Read profiles like a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/)** Finding names is step one. The hunters separate themselves by reading profiles with intent. Look for language that tells you what this leader cares about–growth, cost control, transformation, quality, retention. Their About section, featured posts, and recent activity are gold mines. You’re trying to answer a simple question: “What problem is this person paid to solve?” Once you know that, you can position yourself as someone who has solved pieces of that problem before. You’re not another “hard worker and team player.” You’re the person who cut onboarding time by 25%, increased lead quality by 18%, or automated a reporting process no one else wanted to touch. **Engage before you pitch** This is where most of you get nervous and start spamming connection requests and [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Stop. You do not start by asking for a job. You start by acting like a peer. Follow the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. Turn on the bell for their posts. Watch what they talk about. Then you begin to show up intelligently. Comment on their posts with something that actually adds to the conversation. Not “Great post!” but something like, “Curious how you handled X when Y happened; we ran into that in our rollout and solved it by doing Z.” You’re signaling, “I understand your world. I’ve been in the trenches.” That’s how you get noticed. Do this consistently for a little while. When your name rings a bell, you’re no longer a stranger. You’re the person who keeps leaving useful comments. That’s a much better place to start a direct conversation. **Reaching out without sounding desperate** When you do reach out, keep it short, direct, and low-pressure. You’re not begging. You’re not dumping your life story into a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) message. Something like: “Hi \[Name\], I’ve been following your posts about scaling the engineering team at \[Company\]. I’ve led similar work around \[specific result\] in \[industry\]. I’m exploring what might be next for me this year. Open to a brief 10–15 minute conversation to compare notes?” You’re positioning yourself as a professional talking to another professional. If they say no, fine and you move on. If they say yes, great! You prepare, ask smart questions, and treat it like the beginning of a relationship, not a one-shot chance at a role. **Don’t forget you’re also being hunted** The other side of this is making it easy for [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to find you. You want to be hunted on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). That means your headline, About section, and experience need to send a clear signal about what you do and what level you play at. If your headline still says “Seeking new opportunities” or “Open to work,” you’re wasting prime real estate. Use that space to advertise your value: “Senior Product Manager | B2B SaaS | Turn 0–1 ideas into shipped features that move revenue.” That’s language a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager can work with. Finding [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) isn’t magic. It’s a repeatable process: decide who you need, use the tools like a pro, act like a peer, and show up consistently. Do that, and you stop being just another [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in the stack and start becoming someone decision-makers recognize and respect. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ![Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/angry-boss-yelling-at-his-employee-in-office-4FE7VX5-300x200.jpg)[Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)[**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, Text --- ### [Why Are You Staying in That Job? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-are-you-staying-in-that-job-shorts/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This video begins a new feature I introduce of #shorts I release on #TikTok. **Content:** # Why Are You Staying in That Job? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/gk1QObhpr8U)*** This is a new feature I introduced of #shorts I release on #TikTok. ![Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/angry-boss-yelling-at-his-employee-in-office-4FE7VX5-300x200.jpg)[Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)[**Job Search Networking Like The Big Boys and The Big Girls**](http://wp.me/P6R49f-r9) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-coach-office-hours-june-18-2021-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[7 Ways to Bulk Up Your In-Person Networking](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3qh)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Why Are You Staying in That Job? --- ### [You're Going to Have to Take The First Step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # You’re Going to Have to Take The First Step **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In his book, “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There,” Marshall Goldsmith points out that often what makes someone successful are the very qualities they will need to modify to take their next step up. I was doing a class last night in they posed a wonderful paradoxical question you. I am just going to repeat it to you. “If you can’t lose the game, the game is not worth playing.” The metaphor that this version of [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) does is that most things can be enjoyed and be made more successful when, instead of thinking of it as work or a task, we construct a game about it. So, again, to just repeat, if you can’t lose, the game is not worth playing. In other words, if there’s no challenge here, why bother? As a result, most people take the safe route in order to advance, and frankly, it leads to mechanistic behavior because, frankly, at the end of the day, where’s the fun in all of this? Where’s the challenge to all of this? So, if you can’t lose the game, the game is not worth playing. Here’s the second one. When you really play, you always win because failure (what most people would associate with not being successful) is a learning opportunity. You grow from it. You expand yourself and, in the course of stretching to achieve, you’re changing yourself. This isn’t about the outcome, per se. It’s about who you become in the course of doing this. What got you here, won’t get you there. For job hunters, this is hugely important because, at the end of the day, you’re going to need to [adapt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-adapt/) to new roles unless you want to stay doing the same thing the next 30 or 40 years of your life. I don’t think you want to do that period I think you want to grow and stretch and learn from this experience and being in and environment that supports you. That’s true in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), as well. You’re going to need to learn new skills and start thinking of, not just simply the immediate search, the totality of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) development. You need to build a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) for yourself. You need to construct solutions that [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) want reach out to you for that you want to become known. In other words, you want to build “the [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) of you.” There’s never been a time in human history where it is easier than now to build one. After all, you’ve got YouTube here. You have video, you have live streaming. There’s twitter. There’s Facebook. There’s [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). There are all sorts of venues where you can do things. There’s public speaking. There’s all sorts of venues where we can practice doing things differently then you have to this point and create “the [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) of you.” I’m not expecting you to get on YouTube and do 1000 videos plus like I’ve done (by the time you see this, I am already over 4000+) the important thing is that you start thinking in terms of what you want to be known for. What qualities and experiences and successes and knowledge do you have and do you want to be known for so that people want to reach out to you and [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) you opportunities instead of you seeking them out at a time to time we you get a crisis or feel desperation. You are far better being “the go to person” in your field, rather than being someone who’s always like as supplicant, hat in hand, trying to find something. After all, the person who gets ahead, isn’t always the smartest semicolon they don’t always work the hardest (although those great qualities to have). People get ahead by being alert to opportunity. Sometimes those are internal to your organization. More often than not, they are external. Since most [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) are filled as a result of [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) connections, you want to make sure that people know about you. Practice and put yourself in situations where you can speak publicly. Be the [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) at a conference or one of the experts at a conference where people bring you in to espouse on your knowledge and your successes. Never done it before? There was a time I never did a YouTube video. You learn. Get yourself into Toastmasters. Practice there. It’s an easy supportive environment where you can learn that skill. Write an article. Get it published. Never did it before? Most people never did the first time they write one. You may make a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and you will learn from it. It’s okay. Just start exposing yourself to new instead of getting yourself into this or rut where you are constantly doing the same repetitive thing over again. At the end of the day, each time you take a step toward evolving [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) and making sure that people know about you, you are closer to never being out of work. # ***[The Paper LBO: Proven Methods for Acing the Private Equity Interview](https://amzn.to/4aCBz4Z)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), job [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** Coaching, Text **Tags:** You're Going to Have to Take The First Step --- ### [Take Control of Your Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/take-control-of-your-interview/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode delivers the exact question you need to ask to take control, evaluate the employer, and ensure the role actually builds your career. **Content:** # Take Control of Your Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop treating [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) like a one-sided interrogation where you’re desperately trying to prove your worth. If you walk into the room begging for approval, you’ve already lost the game. This episode delivers the exact question you need to ask to take control, evaluate the employer, and ensure the role actually builds [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). So, what if you can take your next job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) and turn it from this super stressful, one-sided interrogation into, well, a real conversation about your future? Today, we’re going to look at one simple question that does exactly that. It completely flips the dynamic and puts your own growth right at the heart of the whole thing. And trust me, this is an absolute game-changer, especially if you’re just starting out in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Oh yeah, we’ve all been there. Your heart’s pounding, you’re trying to remember all those perfect answers you practiced. It’s a totally universal feeling, right? But what if all that pressure is actually coming from a kind of flawed idea of what an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) is even supposed to be? Let’s take a look at that little voice inside our heads that’s causing all this [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I mean, this is basically the soundtrack playing on a loop in our brains, isn’t it? “Don’t mess up. Don’t mess up.” It’s this constant, nagging pressure to perform, to prove that you’re good enough, that you’re worthy of the job. But you know what? This whole proving yourself mindset, that’s exactly what we need to flip on its head. There’s a much, much better way to approach this. So, let’s explore this new mindset. It’s actually a pretty simple shift, but it is so powerful. We’re going to from trying to prove our worth to focusing on our own growth. And that one little change, well, it makes all the difference. This right here is the core idea. A job shouldn’t just be about what you can do for a company. It should be about what that company and that role can help you become. And if learning is your top priority, then suddenly the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) isn’t just a test anymore. It’s your first and maybe [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) chance to figure out if real growth is even possible there. And this, this slide just captures the whole power shift perfectly. See, instead of just sitting there hoping they’ll approve of you, you become an active player in the game. You’re evaluating them just as hard as they’re evaluating you. And that, that transforms you from just another candidate into someone who is actively and smartly building their own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Okay, so how do you actually put this new mindset into action? How do you make it real? Well, it all comes down to asking one single, incredibly powerful question. And seriously, don’t think of this as just another question you tack on at the end. It’s not. Think of it as a strategic key. It’s the tool you’re going to use to unlock a totally different kind of conversation, to gather really critical information, and [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) of all, to show off your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) qualities without ever sounding like you’re bragging. Ready for it? The question is this: “What might I learn in the course of my work here that I don’t already know?” It sounds so simple, right? But it’s open-ended, it’s totally forward-looking, and believe me, it has this incredible power to just instantly change the entire vibe of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). So, why? Why is this question so ridiculously effective? Let’s actually break down the impact it has not just on the interviewer, but on you, too. You know, this question really works its magic on three different levels. First, it just screams ambition and curiosity. You’re not just looking for a paycheck; you’re actually thinking about your long-term development. Second, it immediately shows that you’re coachable, that you’re eager to learn, which is a quality every single manager on the planet is desperate to find. And finally, and this is probably the most important part, their answer is pure gold for you. It helps you figure out if they are the right place for your goals. So, when you ask it, you’ve really got to listen. I mean, really listen. Do they light up and give you a clear, enthusiastic answer? Or do they kind of stumble and give you something vague? A great answer will be specific. They might mention a new piece of software you’ll master, or a formal mentorship program, or a skill that somebody else in that same role developed. A vague answer, you know, something like, “Oh, uh, you’ll learn a lot,” that’s a massive red flag. Their response tells you everything you need to know about what that job is really like. Okay, so you have the mindset. You have the question. Now, let’s talk about putting this into practice and making your next move. The next time you walk into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), I want you to go in there as a learner who’s searching for the right place to grow. And look, this isn’t about being arrogant; it’s about being strategic with [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). You have to remember, it’s a two-way street. You are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) them just as much as they are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) you. So, I’ll leave you with this final thought. Before you spend all your time obsessing over the questions they might ask you, take a minute and focus on the answer to this one. Because honestly, knowing what you want to learn next is the real key to [finding a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) that doesn’t just pay the bills. It’s the one that’s actually going to build your future. [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Tip for a Successful Video Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mjC) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Take Control of Your Interview --- ### [The First 30 Seconds of an Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-first-30-seconds-of-an-interview-job-search-radio/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Robert Herjavec has discussed how to standout on Shark Tank, I take that and convert it to job hunting. **Content:** # The First 30 Seconds of an Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Robert Herjavec has discussed how to stand out on Shark Tank, I take that and convert it to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [***Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework***](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1) [![Waiting for interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/waiting-for-an-interview-1516906158245-7fafb29df119.jpg)](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/waiting-for-an-interview-1516906158245-7fafb29df119.jpg) Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank did a video recently where he talks about how to stand out on the show. Now, I think there are lessons for job hunters here. Let me just take these out. Sorry. They’re useful. And I’m going to translate what Robert says into something for job hunters. So, the first thing he talks about is the first 30 seconds. You know, the cast on the show, the Sharks, they’re all out there 12 hours a day, listening to pitch after pitch. They’re bored. They’re tired. They’re hungry. You know, they don’t want to be there. They’d rather be back in their business. But they’re committed to doing the show and doing it well. So, they come out and they put on a performance. Sounds like many [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers you’ve talked with. They’re bored, tired, hungry. Some of them are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) multiple people a day. Their staff is the same way. They’re distracted because they have other things to do. You have to engage them in the first 30 seconds. Now, there’s a couple of ways to do it. Robert talks about how they walk into the tank. So, for you, it’s your approach to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager or the person who you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). How do you approach them? Now, in many cases, the first phone call, the first contact is by phone. So, it’s how do you respond to your calls? Now, you may be getting a call on a mobile. You’re looking at it and going, who the hell is that? You pick up with that same . . . like this is a Viagra salesman on the phone. And lo and behold, it’s an HR person, a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, someone who’s doing screening for the manager who works in the department. You need to . . . while you’re in your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), you need to be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to focus in on every time you answer the phone, this could be someone that you’re selling to. So, for the first moment you pick up, you answer, Hi, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). How can I help you? And you speak with a certain style and aggressiveness that [alerts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-alerts-3/) people that you’re awake and not asleep at the switch. Next, when they introduce themselves, and this could be in person. Let me just do with phone right now. [***24 Hours: The Tiny Change That Quadruples Your Interview Rate***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ozE) If they introduce themselves to you over the phone, you immediately lead them to, hey, thanks so much for making the call. Now, I remember the position description, but I’d like to get your take on the role. Could you tell me about the job as you see it and what I can do to help? So, that makes them talk about the job with you at the beginning of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). So, mentally, you can get your switch turned off and be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to talk about what you’ve done that matters to them and not just simply talk about what you’ve done. There’s a difference in there between those two. Talk about what you’ve done that matters to them versus talk about what you’ve done. Now, if it’s in person, remember, you’re walking in and you’re shaking hands with someone. There’s a certain [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) and command that you have, especially if you’re a manager or above [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for position. Now, these lessons are all true, no matter where you are in an organization, but it’s particularly critical for people at a manager level or above. Why? Because you’re a visible representative of the person who’s evaluating you, the VP, the director, the SVP, whoever it is, at a more senior level than you, you represent them. And if you come across like a slug, you don’t make it seem like they are going to be able to . . . you reflect poorly on your future boss. Let’s put it that bluntly. And you present yourself poorly for yourself. You’re a bad representative for them and for you. So, it’s a turn off immediately. And if you think force of ideas makes a difference, trust me, it’s a big world. It’s a big country. A lot of people are going to be as capable as you and present better. So, don’t be a slouch with this. Dress well, present well. Now, Robert talks about, you know, there are people who walk in the tank, and they don’t know their numbers, and they help them. And there are people who walk in who don’t know their numbers, and they beat the crap out of them. That’s the difference in how someone presents. Now, I want to be clear. There are people who interpret what I’ve been saying as talking about being professional. I think in terms of being honest, open, effective, strong, [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/), a leader. I don’t care what level you are in an organization. It doesn’t mean that you have to present as ruthless. You can be a nice person, be a nice person, and firms will like you and engage you. Now, I also want to say that there’s another thing that comes into play. [***The Seven Fundamentals of Job Interviewing***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4KI) And that’s the notion of engaging on a human level, how you speak to them as an honest individual who’s engaged and forthright and self-confident. Now, there’s the classic question of, tell me about yourself. So, I’ve already talked about, you know, thanks for making the call or thanks for meeting with me tonight. You know, I recall the position description, but I want to get your take on it. Could you tell me about the job as you see it and what I can do to help? So, that’s the first thing you do. So, if you’re meeting them in person for the first time, and you’re sitting down in the chair and you ask that question, then when they get around to tell me about yourself or whatever equivalently languaged question they ask, here’s what I want you to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with. It’s the standard answer to that question. But you need to do some homework. And this is the way I’d like you to continue on with it. So, I’m sure a lot of people say similar things to you before. But what makes me different is . . . and then you talk about a difference maker for them. What makes you stand out from the other 25 people that they’ve talked to already about this job? I don’t care if you’re a recent grad, a college senior who’s preparing for his first job or in the C-suite looking for another position. That’s the difference maker. That’s the thing that’s going to really get their attention. Figure out what your critical difference is. And you can say things like, again, this is going to be a certain level of individual. You know, a lot of people say this kind of stuff to you before. But what makes me different is I’ve actually delivered on what I’ve talked about. I’m someone who stepped into an organization with problems. And what I’ve done is . . . and you talk about how you took a disengaged organization and got them to reconnect. How did you do that? Well, often organizations with engagement problems, hired engaged people, but along the way, they got turned off by management decisions that they didn’t buy into. So, I got there by . . . you see where I’m going with this? You think of a difference maker and then be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to talk about the [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) questions that would naturally come from that. So, it’s 30 seconds to get their attention. That first question, tell me about the roles you see and what I can do to help, is a great attention getter. It follows up with another attention getter where you talk about your differences from the standard individual who walks in the door and have a [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) speech that really encapsulates how you are different and how it’s going to benefit them to have you around. If they don’t like the idea that you took a disengaged team, for example, and turn them into a productive organization because of how you reach buy in, hey, this isn’t a place for you, is it? I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this helpful. Now, I want to also say that, for those of you who are looking for a job, one of the things people don’t learn how to do is how to market themselves. We’re in the school system. Are you taught how to find a job? Where do you learn about this stuff except through trial and error? Well, my site, [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) is a place where you can really do that. I’ve got great information available for you. Plus, you can ask me questions through the site where I’ll answer them and help you deliver on your message. I’ll help you with your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). I’ll do a critique. I provide a discount for that service. I’ll help you with your [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). I’ll suggest to you ways that you can approach different things, all as part of a package for the site. And if you want detailed work from me, well, I discount my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) services dramatically in order to help people. So again, [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) is the site. Have a great day. Take care. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** the 1st 30 seconds of a job interview, The 1st 30 seconds of an interview, the first 30 seconds of a job interview, the first 30 seconds on an interview --- ### [Should I Look at the Interviewer's LinkedIn Profile Even Though They'll See?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-look-at-the-interviewers-linkedin-profile-even-though-theyll-see/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:**  I answer, "Do hiring managers and recruiters look at LinkedIn? **Content:** # Should I Look at the Interviewer’s LinkedIn Profile Even Though They’ll See? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I answer, “Do [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) look at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)? I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach, the head coach for JobSearch.Community I’ve got two questions today, and the first one is the title of this video that basically asks the question of, should I look at the interviewer’s [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page, even though they’ll see that I looked at their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page? Ooh, the horror. They might see I looked at their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page. Oh, terrible, terrible. Yes, look at their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page. By all means, look at their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page. Here’s a, a little piece of reality: they’re not checking that all the time. They’re busy. They’ve got other things to do. If they notice that you looked at their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page, well, they’ll know that you researched them. That’s a good thing. If they see that you didn’t look at their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) page, they might think that you didn’t, and that’s not a good thing. Now, if you’re still nervous, there’s a thing in the privacy features where you can hide who you are, and basically put yourself in the position where you’re seen as being job title at fill-in-the-blank. But that’s going to signal them that it’s you, too. So, there’s really no hiding it. Just go do it and stop worrying about it. Which leads to the second and related question: do [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers look at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)? And the answer is absolutely. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) look at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for a couple of reasons. Number one is it’s a, you know, it gives some texture to a person’s background that sometimes [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) don’t. I’ll also tell you, people lie, and [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles aren’t always consistent or congruent. And thus, the lies can be exposed. What kind of lies? Simple: dates. Dates on the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) are different than dates on the profile. Happens all the time. Pretty dumb, isn’t it? There’s also the thing about where the emphasis on the background is. I remember when I worked in technology recruiting, and, you know, there was a job for a person with one programming language, and the strength was in a different one, but they had a little bit of exposure to it, and they were hiding it in the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), I could go to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and see it very clearly. So, yes, they look at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profiles regularly, as well they should. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found my answers helpful. Visit my website, thebiggamehunter.us. There’s much more there that you can watch, listen to, or read to help you find work more quickly. Also, want to mention, if you’re interested in [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), connect with me through my website. There’s a button on the home page, you can schedule a free discovery call. If you’re watching on YouTube, click the small icon in the lower right, subscribe to my channel. You’ll get notifications whenever I release new information. And by the way, subscribe to my podcast, No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. It is number one in Apple Podcasts for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). As of Monday, it’ll be 1,600 episodes. No one is close. No one is even close, and I can say that because I have the number two show and I discontinued it a few months ago. So again, that’s No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. Have a great day, and take care. [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the original host and creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in iTunes the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.It is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, Interviews, Preparation **Tags:** Interview Preparation, Researching the manager, Should I Look at the Interviewer's LinkedIn Profile Even Though They'll See? --- ### [Spamming Your Resume Does Work #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/spamming-your-resume-does-work-shorts/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Spamming your resume does work. It really does. **Content:** # Spamming Your Resume Does Work #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/KOiVEQacU0s) Spamming your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) does work. It really does. ***[FAQ’s on Thank You Letters](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6l)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for what seems like one hundred years. He is hired to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally. That can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, management, leadership, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition and advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* [***Should I Send a Thank You Letter Before The Weekend?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-23J) He is the creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Why You Must Send a Thank You Letter After an Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jCo)*** Website: [w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses) Main YouTube: [www.JobSearchTV.com](https://www.JobSearchTV.com) [No BS Job Search Advice Radio Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/43hgl56QWiJQY0kEQODSrK) Twitter: [http://twitter.com/j](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach)[effaltmancoach](http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job **Tags:** Spamming Your Resume Does Work --- ### [Job Hunting Can Feel Like a Roller Coaster #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-can-feel-like-a-roller-coaster-shorts/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The highs and lows of job hunting are brutal! **Content:** # Job Hunting Can Feel Like a Roller Coaster #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/x_FODFn_yHk) The highs and lows of [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) are brutal! ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Job Hunting Can Feel Like a Roller Coaster --- ### [What Does It Mean When A Job You Applied to Opens a New Posting on the Same Site? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) **Published:** June 4, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What does it mean when a job you applied to opens up a new posting in the same site 3 weeks later with the same requirements? **Content:** # What Does It Mean When A Job You Applied to Opens a New Posting on the Same Site? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Jdn6Lu37tFE) What does it mean when a job you applied to opens up a new posting in the same site 3 weeks later with the same requirements? [***Better Interviews via Strategic Comms***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-min) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/salary-negotiation-mistakes-giving-them-a-range-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***How Do I Juggle a Lot of Interviews?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mik) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Applications, Applying for a Job, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Job Boards **Tags:** What Does It Mean When A Job You Applied to Opens a New Posting on the Same Site? --- ### [When Every Day Feels Like Hell](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-every-day-feels-like-hell/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** What do you do when every day feels like a Black Friday? What do you do with every day sucks? **Content:** # When Every Day Feels Like Hell **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** What do you do when every day feels like a Black Friday? What do you do with every day sucks? (From the archives) You know, as I’m recording this, it’s Black Friday. Ooh, Black Friday! The day where every retailer talks about going into the black, which was the derivation of the name. And the other derivation was the fact that there was nothing the journalists had to write about on the day after Thanksgiving, so they concocted this entire ridiculous thing called Black Friday. And having driven my son and his two cousins to the mall on Long Island, man, that was hell. But what do you do if every day feels like a Black Friday? And by that, I’m not talking about a sale day. I’m talking about feeling doom. What do you do when every day feels like it sucks? And I’m just going to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a couple of simple things that really require a shift in attitude. And it starts off with figuring out what do you want to do differently? What’s the outcome that you want to get? And why? Why do you want to do this? What’s the point of all of all of this that you might want to engage in? And then giving yourself a break if you’re not perfect. You see, somewhere along the line, most of you got the idea that you’re screwed. That no matter what you did, you’re in a bind where you’re damned if you did, and damned if you didn’t. That if you failed, it was awful. You know, most of the things that most of you have failed at, frankly, are not life-threatening. You can recover from that, and learn from it. Doing it a little bit differently the next time. That’s really where that idea of a black day comes from for most of you, where most of you feel as though, oh man, no matter what I do, it sucks. It’s hell. Why bother? But it does matter if you do it. The world is not as good a place as if you’re trying, you’re aspiring, and you’re at your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Coaching Advice Podcast, Text --- ### [Is It A Bad Sign That I Haven't Gotten Feedback When Promised? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I haven't received any feedback (every day, they are finding another excuse). What does it mean? **Content:** # Is It A Bad Sign That I Haven’t Gotten Feedback When Promised? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/-gmP-6mguYo) I was interviewed last week and they told me that they will give me a feedback for my [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) on Monday. However, three days have passed and I haven’t received any feedback (every day, they are finding another excuse). What does it mean? Is it a [good sign](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-good-sign-if-a-recruiter-wants-to-call-your-references-shorts/) or a bad sign? [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***The Top 10 Hiring Mistakes Managers Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fSp) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***What You Should Do Before Accepting a Job Offer?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hL7) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Feedback **Tags:** Is It A Bad Sign That I Haven't Gotten Feedback When Promised? --- ### [How to Build Authority on LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-authority-on-linkedin/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode gives you the exact tactical blueprint to stop acting like an interchangeable commodity and start signaling real structural authority. **Content:** # How to Build Authority on LinkedIn **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most people use [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) entirely wrong by treating it like a standard social network and posting generic industry updates. If you want to stand out to decision-makers, you must command monopoly power over a specific problem and execute high-yield commentary. This episode gives you the exact tactical blueprint to stop acting like an interchangeable [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) and start signaling real structural authority. Most professionals [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) activity for impact. Publishing generic industry updates or congratulating distant connections treats [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) like a standard social network. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) functions as a global relational directory. For a college-educated leader, visibility only holds value when it signals structural authority. Blending into the background of standard professional content reduces a high-level [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) to an interchangeable [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). Now [standing out](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-makes-you-a-standout-shorts/) requires activating your [onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), the specific intersection of operational history and problem-solving blueprints that no other professional can duplicate. Instead of generic titles like “results-driven operations executive,” define your explicit domain. State that you specialize in supply-chain restructuring to stabilize EBITDA within 120 days. This structural alignment establishes the profile as a declaration of monopoly power over a specific problem. Standard long-form posting is a low-yield strategy. It relies on algorithmic luck to reach the right eyes. High-yield commenting bypasses the algorithm. It involves identifying 15 to 20 target [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) and delivering data-backed insights directly into their active threads. These contributions must be clinical expansions or data-backed counterpoints, not generic praise. Clinical informed critiques signal peer-level competence to the original poster and their network. This mechanism uses an existing high-value audience to validate your authority. [***LinkedIn Mistakes: Not Sharing Contact Information with Connections*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mnA) When an executive clicks through to the profile, they must encounter immediate proof of work. A blank featured section or a link to a company [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) fair ends the engagement instantly. Treat this space as a curated landing page. Pin three high-signal assets: an operational playbook, a panel recording, and a data visualization of market shifts. When publishing original content, adopt a stance of intellectual contrarianism. Avoid the standard corporate orthodoxy regarding leadership or innovation. Use your operational lens to dismantle a common industry trend. Highlight the hidden structural debts or risks that other [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are silently worrying about. Anchoring the profile, executing surgical infiltration, and broadcasting explicit proof creates a high-signal [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) that the market actively seeks out. To scale your compensation framework alongside this market authority, visit jobsearch.community. Become an insider for coaching, courses, and guides from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Like, share, and follow to ensure these structural frameworks reach other leaders in your network. [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***The Top 10 Hiring Mistakes Managers Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fSp) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***What You Should Do Before Accepting a Job Offer?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hL7) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** LinkedIn, Text --- ### [The Third Door Protocol: Bypassing the HR Meat Grinder](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-third-door-protocol-bypassing-the-hr-meat-grinder/) **Published:** June 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # The Third Door Protocol: Bypassing the HR Meat Grinder **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You are playing a game that is rigged against you. Every day, smart, college-educated professionals log onto [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), find a job they want, and click “Apply.” They upload a tailored [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into a corporate portal/ATS, hit submit, and wait. Then the automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) email arrives. You think a human being looked at your background and decided you weren’t a fit? They never saw it. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) hit a system like Workday, Lever or Greenhouse, the machine misread your formatting or didn’t see the exact keyword string it wanted, and it dumped you in the trash. That is the Front Door. It is a meat grinder. Most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice tells you to use the Back Door–asking friends for favors or hitting up alumni. But at most levels, particularly at the executive and senior level, the Back Door is crowded with everyone else looking for a shortcut. You need to take **[The Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**. Alex Banayan wrote a book called [*The Third Door*](https://amzn.to/4fQi8K7), and his blueprint is exactly how I coach people to land elite roles. Think of it like a nightclub. There are three ways in: - **The First Door:** The main entrance, where the line curves around the block and 99% of people wait, hoping to get in. (That’s the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) portal). - **The Second Door:** The VIP entrance, where the billionaires and celebrities slip through. (That’s executive [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and internal corporate royalty). - **[The Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/):** The door where you jump out of line, run down the alley, bang on the window, go through the kitchen, and find a way in. If you want a job in this market, particularly at an executive or senior-level job, you have to stop standing in lines. You need to use Third Door mechanics to bypass the software entirely. Let me tell you how it works. ### The Executive Who Refused to Wait in Line A few months ago, I was coaching a senior director of operations. Let’s call him Jim. Jim had a top-tier degree, fifteen years of clean corporate experience, and a track record of saving companies millions of dollars. He was an absolute asset. Jim found a role at a major firm that fit him perfectly. He spent hours tailoring his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and submitted it through the company’s [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) portal. He stood in the First Door line. Three days later, the machine spit him out. Automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/). No human interaction. Jim called me, furious and defeated. He said, “Jeff, I meet 100% of the requirements. Why don’t they want me?” I told him the truth: “They don’t even know you exist, Jim. The machine broke your data. We are jumping out of line and finding [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/).” ### Banging on the Kitchen Window We didn’t look at the job board this time. We went to [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) to find the person who would be Jim’s peer at the firm—another director in an adjacent department who was actively dealing with the company’s scaling pains. Jim didn’t send a message asking for a job. Asking a stranger for a job puts a burden on them, and busy people say no to burdens. If you knock on [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) asking for a handout, it stays locked. You have to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a tool. Jim sent a direct, two-sentence note to this director: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s expansion into the EMEA market. Having navigated that same supply-chain bottleneck at my last firm, I put together a brief outline of the specific vendor risks that usually pop up in month three. Let me know if you want me to forward the notes.”* The peer responded within four hours. They didn’t talk about open [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/); they traded operational notes. Jim showed he was a competent operator who understood the reality on the ground. He cracked the window open by delivering immediate value. At the end of the conversation, the peer said, “You know, we are actually looking for someone with your background to handle this exact issue. Let me drop your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) directly into our internal [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) lane.” [Jim used his onlyness to pry open the door](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7) ### Why the Third Door Changes the Machine’s Rules When Jim’s new contact uploaded his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) through the internal employee portal, Jim didn’t enter the tracking system as an applicant. He entered as a solution. - **The Priority Tag:** The [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) didn’t just parse Jim’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/); it stamped it with a “High-Priority Employee Referral” flag. - **The Gatekeeper Bypass:** In most enterprise tracking systems, profiles introduced through [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) bypass the automated keyword knockout rounds entirely. They are routed directly to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager’s active desk. - **The Vetting Premium:** A human being opened Jim’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because someone already inside the building put their own reputation on the line to say, “This person understands our business.” Jim got the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) invite 48 hours later. Same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Same company. Completely different result. ### The Big Game Hunter’s Bottom Line *The [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is an efficiency tool for human resources, not a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advancement tool for you.* When you submit your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) cold, you are letting a machine dictate your market value. Stop standing in the long line at the front door. Jump out of line, identify a public problem a future peer is facing, and knock on [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) with a solution in hand. That is how you bypass the machine and get the room. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***The Cost of a Long Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oM3) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. *[**When Following Up Backfires**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oL4)* ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, Job Leads, Networking, Text --- ### [Developing Your Brand | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) **Published:** August 27, 2022 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A No BS episode about developing your personal brand. **Content:** ## Developing Your Brand | The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** A No BS episode about developing your personal [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m called The Game Hunter because I hunted down leaders and staff organizations for more than 40 years, You may have heard the term [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) in the context of [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/), and you may have even started doing some work on branding– creating a profile for yourself on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), developing a reputation for yourself you in your profession. That’s all fine and good. If you’re 1st learning about [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), congratulations! You’re going to be doing work to help yourself, not on this [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), but on the next one.![branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/you-re-a-professional-develop-a-brand-for-yourself-nobsjobsearchadvice-com1_thumbnail.jpg) That’s because the fact is [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is not something that you do overnight and suddenly people go, “Oh! That’s Lady Gaga in front of us! That’s unbelievable!” Lady Gaga and others like her spent years becoming Lady Gaga. They worked on creating an image for themselves. They suddenly didn’t just pop out on the scene and become rock stars. They paid their dues. They did their work. They developed the relationships and the acts in order to become Lady Gaga, for example. So think in terms of not just this [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), but more importantly every [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) that you do in the future. That even while you’re doing great work and that you’re [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) doing what you’re doing where the doing it, you are going to be doing things to help people learn about you, to find out about you, to understand you and trust you and thus want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you, rather than an absolute stranger that they know nothing about. [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is the thing that gives you the edge. It is the thing that says, “that’s [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). He knows what he’s talking about.” That’s how good a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) that is. So I want you think, not in terms of being me or Lady Gaga. I want you to think in terms of what you, but for can do to develop a reputation that others will like and trust, not for this [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), but for every other one that you are involved with from this point on, I hope you found this tip helpful and if you want to find out more advice come over my website, thebiggamehunter.us. There is a lot more there. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300-230x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a career and leadership coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for more than many years. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes. He also hosts [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV on YouTube, and Amazon, as well as on BingeNetworks.tv for Apple TV and 90+ smart sets. *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)?* People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me to provide No BS [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) whether that is about a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) better, leadership, management or support with a workplace issue. *[Please click here to see my schedule](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) to book![The No BS Coaching Advice Podcast](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-No-BS-Coaching-Advice-Podcast-meme-300x225.jpg) a free discovery call or schedule time for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/).* My [courses are available on my website](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/courses), [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses](https://www.thebiggamehunter.us/courses) The courses include ones about [Informational Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/informational), [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Interviews), final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) preparation, [salary negotiation mistakes to avoid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/salaryoops), [the top 10 questions to prepare for on any job interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Top10), and [starting a new job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/newjob). We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator plus a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us). **Categories:** Branding, No BS Coaching Advice Podcast, Text **Tags:** developing your brand --- ### [Don’t Hire ANYONE … #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-hire-anyone-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Who doesn't love Tina Fey? Her quote about how to avoid this hiring mistake is priceless. **Content:** # Don’t Hire ANYONE … #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The ](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/otFJGTmSHjY) Who doesn’t love Tina Fey? Her [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) about how to avoid this [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is priceless. [***The 10-Step Guide To Making A Career Transition***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kGD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Job Search Realities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqg) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a Strategic Advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Do You Know It’s Time to Give Up?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-7Oc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. ![Don't Hire Anyone](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dont-Hire-ANYONE-1024x1024.webp) **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Hiring Advice **Tags:** Don’t Hire ANYONE --- ### [The Private Equity PortCo Playbook: Bypassing the Search Firms to Target Operating Partners Directly](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-private-equity-portco-playbook-bypassing-the-search-firms-to-target-operating-partners-directly/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** To land these unlisted, high-stakes roles, you need to bypass the headhunters entirely and go straight to the source. **Content:** # The Private Equity PortCo Playbook: Bypassing the Search Firms to Target Operating Partners Directly **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are a senior-level professional or an executive, you’ve probably spent months trying to get on the radar of the “Big Five” [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). You send your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, or Heidrick & Struggles, hoping they’ll slot you into their next major corporate assignment. You may be hunting in the wrong woods. Those [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t work for you; they work for their corporate clients. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) sits in their database until an exact, identical match pops up–which rarely happens. Meanwhile, you’re missing out on the fastest-growing [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) market for elite talent: Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies (PortCos). When a Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) (PE) firm acquires a mid-market company, they don’t have time to wait six months for a traditional [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) to find a leader. They need a proven operator inside that business *immediately* to protect their investment, streamline operations, and scale EBITDA. To land these unlisted, high-stakes roles, you need to bypass the headhunters entirely and go straight to the source: the **Operating Partner**. ### The Mid-Market Crisis: A Story of Urgent Demand A year ago, I was working with a VP of Supply Chain named Mark. Mark had a brilliant track record of fixing broken distribution networks, but he was stuck in an endless loop of screening [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with traditional [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who kept telling him he “didn’t fit the exact industry vertical” of their current openings. I told him, “Mark, stop trying to please [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who are checking boxes. You need to find a PE firm that is bleeding cash because of a bad supply chain.” He did [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). We bypassed the standard job boards and looked at mid-market PE firms that had recently acquired three manufacturing companies over the previous six months. He didn’t look for HR leads. He found the specific Operating Partner managing that [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). ***[Getting a Job in Private Equity: Behind the Scenes Insight into How Private Equity Funds Hire](https://amzn.to/43BTpSv)*** Mark sent a direct, no BS note to the Operating Partner. He didn’t ask for a job. He flagged an operational reality: > *“I’ve been tracking your recent acquisition of \[Company A\] and \[Company B\]. Having navigated post-merger supply chain integration during market contractions, I’ve noticed that combining regional distribution hubs usually leak about 12% in margin drag during the first 90 days if the inventory logic isn’t decoupled early. I put together a brief framework on how we insulated our margins against this specific drag at my last firm. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* The Operating Partner called Mark the next morning. Three weeks later, Mark was brought on as the interim COO of one of their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies. No job posting. No [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/). No [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). ### Why the Operating Partner is Your Ultimate Target Operating Partners are not investment bankers. They are former CEOs, COOs, and senior operators hired by the PE firm to oversee their acquisitions. They speak your language, they feel the operational pain acutely, and they have the absolute authority to install talent without consulting a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) committee. When you approach an Operating Partner using this playbook, you trigger three massive advantages: - **The Urgency Vector:** PE firms operate on a strict 3-to-5-year timeline to scale and flip a company. Every week a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company spends underperforming is lost capital. If you present a solution to their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) drag, they will create a role for you. - **The [Portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Multiplier:** A traditional [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) has one opening. An Operating Partner oversees five, ten, or twenty companies. If you don’t fit the immediate need at Company A, they will frequently slide you into Company B or hold you on deck for their next acquisition. - **The Authority Lane:** Operating Partners do not care about bureaucratic box-checking. They care about capabilities. They care about the results you can deliver NOW. They can bypass standard HR compliance protocols and drop you directly into the executive suite because their primary metric is [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) velocity, not headcount compliance. [***The Job of Your Dreams: The Woman’s Guide on how to find a Job in Private Equity***](https://amzn.to/3POV300) ### The Bottom Line The traditional [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) model is slow, passive, and built to manage risk for giant corporations. If you are a high-value operator, you cannot afford to wait for a headhunter to discover your value. Stop pitching your past biography to people who don’t understand your work. Identify the PE firms investing heavily in your space, locate the Operating Partners holding the operational mandates, and show them exactly how you will protect their [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). That is how you take control of the market and secure the room. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 # ***[The Paper LBO: Proven Methods for Acing the Private Equity Interview](https://amzn.to/4aCBz4Z)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching, all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching, job coaching, and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes. *Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching, advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership coaching? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** Private Equity, Text **Tags:** The Private Equity PortCo Playbook: Bypassing the Search Firms to Target Operating Partners Directly --- ### [No BS Career Advice: May 31 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-may-31-2026/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: May 31 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![The most valuable connections](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The-most-valuable-connections-Gemini_Generated_Image_q1eleqq1eleqq1el-1024x1024.png) Trust me. Navigating government systems is awful and opaque. Even when they’re trying, you have to read between the lines to understand what they are trying to say. My wife is navigating one in the State of New York to get her niece into a group home. Weeks and weeks, and it isn’t solved yet. I listen to her tell me about this person or that one and this agency or another. It’s frustrating for her. When I was much younger, I did a few brief stints in the NYC government and bumped up against the bureaucracy. Lessons learned. **LAST WEEK!** For years, I have shared, sold and taught, “The Ultimate Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Framework,” an easy-to-follow methodology for [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). I recently updated it and now titled it as “[Interview Mastery: The Ultimate Job Interview Framework](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2747MZ1)” **at a special introductory price of $0.99.** Stop winging your [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and losing out on the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) you deserve. The skills needed to find a job are entirely different from those needed to do a job. Most job hunters learn the hard way that trial and error costs them great opportunities. They walk into the room unprepared, fumbling for answers, and projecting uncertainty instead of [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). In [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Mastery: The Ultimate Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Framework, I deliver a direct, clear, and No BS formula designed to help you outperform your competition. Drawing from my decades of recruiting and coaching experience, I break down the hidden “theater” of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) and strip away the power differential between you and the employer. **Available for $0.99 on Amazon** ## The Private Equity PortCo Playbook: Bypassing the Search Firms to Target Operating Partners Directly **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you are a senior-level professional or an executive, you’ve probably spent months trying to get on the radar of the “Big Five” [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). You send your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, or Heidrick & Struggles, hoping they’ll slot you into their next major corporate assignment. You may be hunting in the wrong woods. Those [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t work for you; they work for their corporate clients. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) sits in their database until an exact, identical match pops up–which rarely happens. Meanwhile, you’re missing out on the fastest-growing [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) market for elite talent: Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies (PortCos). When a Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) (PE) firm acquires a mid-market company, they don’t have time to wait six months for a traditional [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) to find a leader. They need a proven operator inside that business *immediately* to protect their investment, streamline operations, and scale EBITDA. To land these unlisted, high-stakes roles, you need to bypass the headhunters entirely and go straight to the source: the **Operating Partner**. ### The Mid-Market Crisis: A Story of Urgent Demand A year ago, I was working with a VP of Supply Chain named Mark. Mark had a brilliant track record of fixing broken distribution networks, but he was stuck in an endless loop of screening [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with traditional [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who kept telling him he “didn’t fit the exact industry vertical” of their current openings. I told him, “Mark, stop trying to please [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who are checking boxes. You need to find a PE firm that is bleeding cash because of a bad supply chain.” He did [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). We bypassed the standard job boards and looked at mid-market PE firms that had recently acquired three manufacturing companies over the previous six months. He didn’t look for HR leads. He found the specific Operating Partner managing that [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). Mark sent a direct, no BS note to the Operating Partner. He didn’t ask for a job. He flagged an operational reality: > *“I’ve been tracking your recent acquisition of \[Company A\] and \[Company B\]. Having navigated post-merger supply chain integration during market contractions, I’ve noticed that combining regional distribution hubs usually leak about 12% in margin drag during the first 90 days if the inventory logic isn’t decoupled early. I put together a brief framework on how we insulated our margins against this specific drag at my last firm. Let me know if you want me to drop the notes over to your team.”* The Operating Partner called Mark the next morning. Three weeks later, Mark was brought on as the interim COO of one of their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies. No job posting. No [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/). No [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). ### Why the Operating Partner is Your Ultimate Target Operating Partners are not investment bankers. They are former CEOs, COOs, and senior operators hired by the PE firm to oversee their acquisitions. They speak your language, they feel the operational pain acutely, and they have the absolute authority to install talent without consulting a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) committee. When you approach an Operating Partner using this playbook, you trigger three massive advantages: - **The Urgency Vector:** PE firms operate on a strict 3-to-5-year timeline to scale and flip a company. Every week a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company spends underperforming is lost capital. If you present a solution to their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) drag, they will create a role for you. - **The [Portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) Multiplier:** A traditional [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) has one opening. An Operating Partner oversees five, ten, or twenty companies. If you don’t fit the immediate need at Company A, they will frequently slide you into Company B or hold you on deck for their next acquisition. - **The Authority Lane:** Operating Partners do not care about bureaucratic box-checking. They care about capabilities. They care about the results you can deliver NOW. They can bypass standard HR compliance protocols and drop you directly into the executive suite because their primary metric is [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) velocity, not headcount compliance. ### The Bottom Line The traditional [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) model is slow, passive, and built to manage risk for giant corporations. If you are a high-value operator, you cannot afford to wait for a headhunter to discover your value. Stop pitching your past biography to people who don’t understand your work. Identify the PE firms investing heavily in your space, locate the Operating Partners holding the operational mandates, and show them exactly how you will protect their [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). That is how you take control of the market and secure the room. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 In the last week, I released and released more content including: **The B****est Way to Proofread Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** Excerpt: You know you have to proofread your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). What is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses a highly strict framework to catch minor layout glitches and textual [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that automated tracking software rejects before hitting submit. Link: **Master Your [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Body Language** Excerpt: Non-verbal [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) speak louder than your answers. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details subtle posture adjustments, micro-expressions, and eye-contact protocols that project authority and competence on camera or in person. Link: **What a Hostage Negotiator Can Teach You About [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Negotiation** Excerpt: Treating a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) discussion like a hostile corporate battle guarantees you will leave money on the table. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) adapts core tactical empathy models used by crisis negotiators to help you win major [counteroffers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/counteroffers-should-you-accept/) when terms change unexpectedly. Link: **Management vs Leadership #shorts** Excerpt: Managing processes is mechanical; leading people requires strategic influence. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a rapid-fire breakdown on how to shift your executive vocabulary from baseline management to high-signal leadership. Link: **Surprised!** Excerpt: Ever been blindsided by a completely unexpected question or sudden shift during an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to maintain your executive composure, process the shock in real time, and pivot smoothly without breaking character. Link: **[LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) EasyApply #shorts** Excerpt: Clicking that quick apply button feels productive, but is it actually working? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the harsh reality of the EasyApply feature and why it usually routes your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) straight into a black hole. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-easyapply-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-easyapply-shorts/) **Crack [the Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/)** Excerpt: Most open positions are never posted publicly online. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) details tactical [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) strategies and backchannel approach methods to uncover and win unlisted corporate roles before your competition even knows they exist. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack-the-hidden-job-market/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack-the-hidden-job-market/) **Don’t Limit Yourself When You Network #shorts** Excerpt: Restricting your professional [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) circle to immediate peers is a critical [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a No BS reminder to expand your horizon and connect across industries to reveal unexpected professional pipelines. Link: **Age Proof Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/): 10 Steps to Get Hired** Excerpt: Facing institutional [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) search? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) delivers a clear, ten-step framework designed to modernise your digital [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), update your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) presentation, and command respect as a high-signal veteran candidacy. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/age-proof-your-job-search-10-steps-to-get-hired/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/age-proof-your-job-search-10-steps-to-get-hired/) **Common Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/)** Excerpt: Top-tier candidates frequently tank their own [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) by making basic, preventable blunders. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the standard mistakes—from poor company pre-research to rambling answers—and how to fix them instantly. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/common-job-interview-mistakes/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/common-job-interview-mistakes/) **Is it Rude to Ask for an Update on a Job [Application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/)? #shorts** Excerpt: Candidates often worry that checking in makes them look desperate or annoying. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) gives a No BS breakdown on how to professionally [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) on your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) status without irritating the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) team. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-rude-to-ask-for-an-update-on-a-job-application-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-rude-to-ask-for-an-update-on-a-job-application-shorts/) **Engineering High-Value Visibility on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)** Excerpt: Merely having a profile isn’t enough; you need tactical [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to engineer meaningful, high-signal visibility that captures the attention of executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and decision-makers in your industry. Link: **Match Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to Job Descriptions for Free #shorts** Excerpt: You don’t need expensive software platforms to beat automated [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a straightforward, free strategy to align your resume’s keywords directly with any target job description. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/match-your-resume-to-job-descriptions-for-free-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/match-your-resume-to-job-descriptions-for-free-shorts/) **Is It OK to [Refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) Someone to A [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) After Turning Down an Opportunity?** Excerpt: Declining a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) doesn’t mean you have to burn the bridge. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the professional etiquette of passing along a qualified peer’s information to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/), turning a [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) into a high-value relationship builder. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-refer-someone-to-a-recruiter-after-turning-down-an-opportunity/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-refer-someone-to-a-recruiter-after-turning-down-an-opportunity/) **Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You Gotta Do #shorts** Excerpt: [The job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) can force hard choices that don’t match your perfect [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) timeline. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a direct, clear reality check on making pragmatic [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) decisions when circumstances require immediate action. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/sometimes-youve-gotta-do-what-you-gotta-do-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/sometimes-youve-gotta-do-what-you-gotta-do-shorts/) **Mastering [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) [Anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/): The Psychology of Unflappable [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** Excerpt: Stop letting a surge of adrenaline hijack your brain during high-stakes [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). This episode breaks down the exact “pre-performance routine” used by elite athletes to manually override the fight-or-flight response. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) **How to Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) Arbitrage** Excerpt: Sending out endless [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) only to face absolute silence isn’t a problem with your qualifications; it’s a failure to scale attention in a system built to ignore you. This episode delivers a strategic blueprint on how to turn machine intelligence into an analytical asset. Link: **Proofread Your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile #shorts** Excerpt: A tiny, unnoticed typo in your headline or summary signals a lack of professional posture to executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) provides a rapid-fire framework to cleanly audit your profile elements and scrub away hidden text errors instantly. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/proofread-your-linkedin-profile-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/proofread-your-linkedin-profile-shorts/) **Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You Gotta Do #shorts** Excerpt: [The job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) can force hard choices that don’t match your perfect [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) timeline. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a direct, clear reality check on making pragmatic [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) decisions when circumstances require immediate action. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/sometimes-youve-gotta-do-what-you-gotta-do-shorts/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/sometimes-youve-gotta-do-what-you-gotta-do-shorts/) **Should I Have a Website?** Excerpt: Does a standard professional need a personal domain, or is a strong [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile enough? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the ROI of building a personal website, when it adds critical high-signal leverage, and when it is an absolute waste of time. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-have-a-website/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-have-a-website/) **[LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Not Sharing [Contact Information](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/) with Connections #shorts** Excerpt: You connect with someone, but keep your email and phone number hidden behind security settings. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) gives a No BS breakdown on why hiding your contact details from verified connections actively sabotages your [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) pipeline. Link: **5 Dumb [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Job Hunters Make WAY Too Often and How to Correct Them** Excerpt: Qualified professionals continually tank their opportunities by repeating avoidable blunders. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the five most common, self-inflicted [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) job seekers make and delivers direct tactical solutions to fix them instantly. Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-dumb-mistakes-job-hunters-make-way-too-often-and-how-to-correct-them/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-dumb-mistakes-job-hunters-make-way-too-often-and-how-to-correct-them/) **Your Online [Presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/)** Excerpt: Your digital footprint is your actual [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) before you ever get a discovery call. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to audit, clean, and optimize your overall online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) to project true high-signal authority to executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Link: [https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) **Bypassing the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) with [Referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/)** Excerpt: Submitting [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) online into a black hole is an uphill battle. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out a clear framework to leverage corporate backchannels, secure internal [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/), and bypass automated [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) completely. Link: **Essential [Job Search Tools](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** Excerpt: Stop relying on outdated platforms that don’t scale. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) isolates the essential tech stack, scrapers, and organizational tools you need to maximize your efficiency and gain immediate leverage in today’s job market. Link: People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I can critique them as I have for hundreds of thousands. I have helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at any level at [JobSearch.Community](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. *If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.* [*Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube*](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) *Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.* \#BeGreat ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff. **Categories:** No BS Career Advice --- ### [Should I Follow Up? It's Been 4 Weeks of Interviewing for a Job I Really Want. #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Everything has gone really well and even received great responses on my follow up emails. Should I follow up again today? **Content:** # Should I Follow Up? It’s Been 4 Weeks of Interviewing for a Job I Really Want. #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/azCQ0Pr69rg) I’ve had a phone [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), 1 in-person [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) with the president, a “design challenge”, and 2 additional in-person [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with department heads. Everything has gone really well and even received great responses on my [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-follow-up-if-the-employer-said-no-calls-or-emails/) emails. Should I [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-follow-up-if-the-employer-said-no-calls-or-emails/) again today? [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***The Top 10 Hiring Mistakes Managers Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fSp) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***What You Should Do Before Accepting a Job Offer?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hL7) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Follow Up **Tags:** Should I Follow Up?, Should I Follow Up? It's Been 4 Weeks of Interviewing for a Job I Really Want. --- ### [They Asked for PDFs About Work That Won't Launch for 2 Weeks](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A potential new employer asked me to send PDFs of work from my company that won't be launched for another two weeks. What should I do? **Content:** # They Asked for PDFs About Work That Won’t Launch for 2 Weeks **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/tPsavm3JGNA) A potential new employer asked me to send PDFs of work from my company that won’t be launched for another two weeks. I don’t want to lose my job potentially, but I don’t want to jeopardize this new opportunity either. What should I do? ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Interviews --- ### [Get Your Energy Up #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Being out of work, waiting for a contact, saps the life out of you. You've got to get your energy up! **Content:** # Get Your Energy Up **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/VKlIY2vatVE)** Being out of work, waiting for a contact, saps the life out of you. You’ve got to get your energy up! [***Post Informational Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hBJ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the original host and creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in iTunes the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.It is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Finding a New Job During an Economic Crisis***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-c34) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** Get Your Energy Up --- ### [Personal AI SEO: Get Discovered by LLMs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/personal-ai-seo-get-discovered-by-llms/) **Published:** May 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Learn how to engineer a digital entity that LLMs can actually find, verify, and recommend. **Content:** # Personal AI SEO: Get Discovered by LLMs **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) like it’s 2010. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agents are now the gatekeepers of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), and if your expertise is locked in private PDFs, you don’t exist to them. Learn how to engineer a digital entity that LLMs can actually find, verify, and recommend. **Timestamps** 0:00 – The Death of the Linear Job [Application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) 0:15 – Understanding Agentic Search and LLM [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) 0:40 – Why Your Private [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is Making You Invisible 0:57 – Defining Personal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) SEO 1:18 – How Large Language Models Process Human Data 1:48 – The Power of the “Anchor Phrase” in Professional Bios 2:10 – Moving Proof of Expertise to the Public Domain 2:50 – How Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Scans Your Profile 3:22 – Turning Community Contributions into Digital “Votes” 4:10 – Becoming a Legible Solution for Machine Intelligence 4:27 – Resources and Coaching at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) For decades, the path to a new job was a straight mechanical line. You wrote a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), uploaded it to a company portal, and hoped a human [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) or a basic [applicant tracking system](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) pulled your keywords out of the pile. That linear system has been replaced by agentic search. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use platforms like Gemini, Perplexity, or specialized enterprise models to scan the market simultaneously. Instead of typing in isolated terms like Python and five years experience, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) ask these models for specific outcomes. They enter prompts like, find me three project managers who have successfully scaled remote teams in decentralized finance. If your expertise is saved as a private [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/) on your hard drive or locked inside a password protected company portal, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agent cannot crawl it. To the machine’s logic, your experience is effectively invisible. Surviving this requires a practice called personal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) SEO. This involves optimizing your digital footprint so that your online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) acts as the precise answer to the recruiter’s natural language prompt. In an AI-gated job market, traditional [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) methods often leave your profile buried under the specific structured data that modern models are designed to find. To understand how to get noticed, we have to look past the search bar and look at how these models process human data. Large language models perceive the internet as a network of entities rather than a loose collection of web pages. When you use your formal name on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), a nickname on X, and a different handle on a personal blog, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) struggles to connect the To build a strong profile, you must use your exact full professional name across every platform. You also need an anchor phrase. If you are a cybersecurity architect specializing in zero trust, that exact wording should appear in every one of your professional bios. This repetition acts as a [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) signal. It forces the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to cluster your scattered digital activities into a single authoritative profile. [***Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oTa) A consolidated identity requires evidence to support it. This means migrating your proof of expertise out of private documents and into the public domain. You can do this by publicly sharing your methodology. Instead of listing Agile as a skill, write a public blog post detailing exactly how you use Agile to reduce sprint cycles by 20%. Combining a tightly structured identity with public examples of your problem solving provides the context-rich language the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) needs. It moves you from a fragmented digital [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) to a mathematically verifiable entity. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) models now scan the live web for real-time information. This scanning happens through a process called Retrieval Augmented Generation, or RAG. When RAG algorithms scrape the web, they prioritize well-structured narrative answers. A complete sentence explaining how a problem was solved is weighted more heavily than a standard bulleted list of technical nouns. Your public profiles should mirror these natural language queries. By building a How I Help section written in full, descriptive sentences, you position your profile as a direct answer to the recruiter’s prompt. At the same time, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) sweeps through community hubs. It scans public [Slack](https://thebiggamehunter.us/slack-channels-shorts/) archives and indexes industry forums to find [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) consensus. Every time you answer a peer’s question on Discord or submit a helpful GitHub poll request, you generate a digital vote for your expertise. Aligning your profile’s narrative with the recruiter’s specific question, backed by community votes, increases the likelihood that the algorithm will retrieve your name as a top result. Let’s follow that retrieved data back out of the algorithm and onto the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) screen. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) receives a generated summary that presents you as a verified [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) for their exact request. You move past the stack of keyword-matched [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) by proving to the system’s logic that you are a functional solution to a specific problem. To be found in an automated [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) market, your skills and authority must be rendered legible to machine intelligence. Advancing in this environment depends on engineering a digital entity that algorithms can easily identify and verify. To start optimizing your own digital footprint, head over to jobsearch.community. You can download the free content or check out specialized guides for just $1 and $2. To get access to the full library of resources, become an insider. You’ll get full community benefits, plus direct coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Text **Tags:** Personal AI SEO: Get Discovered by LLMs --- ### [The 5 Step Roadmap to Your First IT Job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-5-step-roadmap-to-your-first-it-job/) **Published:** June 3, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is a battle-tested, 5-step roadmap to move you from zero experience to a hired professional in 6 to 12 months. **Content:** # The 5 Step Roadmap to Your First IT Job **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** If you’re tired of shouting into the void of “Easy Apply” buttons and getting nothing but [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) emails, this is for you. Most [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) is theoretical garbage—this is a battle-tested, 5-step roadmap to move you from zero experience to a hired professional in 6 to 12 months. Stop guessing and start executing a plan that actually bypasses the filters and puts you in front of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers. **Timestamps** 0:00 – The Reality of the Current IT Market 0:49 – Step 1: Building a Technical Foundation (CompTIA vs. Google) 1:08 – How to Break the “Perpetual Study Loop” 1:38 – Step 2: Hands-on Labbing & Enterprise Tools 2:02 – Turning Lab Work into a Verifiable [Portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) 2:25 – Step 3: Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to Optimize Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) & [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) 3:21 – Step 4: Smart [Applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) vs. The Digital Black Hole 4:14 – Step 5: Mastering the Technical [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) 4:59 – The Numbers Game: What it Actually Takes to Get Hired 5:28 – Advanced Resources & Coaching If you want to find an entry-level IT job in today’s market, you need a specific plan for the next 12 months. Standard [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) usually stops at get certifications and do labs. While that’s technically true, it doesn’t provide the actionable steps needed to actually move from an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). To bridge that gap, we’re using a 5-step roadmap designed to take you from zero experience to a hired professional within a 6-12 month window. This involves Bill Bickle Foundation, creating a verifiable [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for optimization, and bypassing the high-volume [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) filters. Executing these steps in sequence removes the guesswork from your search, ensuring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) demonstrates the specific technical competencies that [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers are looking for. Step one is establishing your technical baseline. For most, this means earning the CompTIA trifecta, the A+, Network+, and Security+, or the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. It takes roughly 6-12 months to properly study and absorb this foundational material. The common [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) here is the perpetual study loop. Many candidates spend months reviewing material, but never actually sit for the certification exams. To avoid this, you should purchase and schedule your exam date before you even begin studying. This creates a hard deadline on your calendar, forcing your study schedule to work backward from a fixed point. This upfront commitment creates the accountability needed to ensure you finish the curriculum and earn a verifiable credential. Step two requires you to take that theoretical knowledge and apply it in a practical home lab environment. You need to gain experience with the tools used in enterprise environments. This includes setting up Windows Server, managing users and Active Directory, and navigating the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and Entra. Simply doing these labs is only the first half of the process. To get hired, you need to turn that work into evidence. You do this by documenting your technical process step-by-step using Markdown language. Once your documentation is complete, host those files in a public GitHub repository. This public repository turns your private practice into a technical [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) that proves to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager you can actually perform the tasks required for the job. Step three is using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to optimize your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) materials so they align with the specific requirements of each job posting. You can feed a specific job description into [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) and ask it to generate a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that highlights your relevant skills and lab work for that exact role. Direct the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to replace vague descriptions with quantifiable data. Instead of saying you practiced security labs, the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can help you draft a bullet point about simulating a sim environment to detect and block 15 specific attacks. Use this same logic for your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to generate clear, action-oriented descriptions of your technical projects and certifications. To complete your professional profile, ensure your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) account is verified and includes a clear headshot and a professional banner. This data-driven approach to tailoring helps your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) clear automated filters and shows [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers that your experience directly matches their needs. Step four is about changing how you apply. Your first move should be to stop using the easy apply or one-click [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) features. Those features often lead to a digital black hole where your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is buried under thousands of other identical [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) from around the world. Instead, find the job on the board, then navigate directly to the company’s official corporate website to submit your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) there. For an extra advantage, identify the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager mentioned in the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) post. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to draft a concise, professional message and reach out to them directly to express your interest. Keep track of every [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) and [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) in a structured spreadsheet. This ensures you stay organized as you manage multiple outreach efforts. 10 targeted [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) with direct outreach are more effective than hundreds of generic submissions that never get seen by a human. Step five is mastering the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). Once you get to the table, you have to be able to talk through your technical knowledge clearly. A common hurdle is the tell-me-about-yourself question. Many candidates hesitate here, which can set a shaky tone for the rest of the conversation. To fix this, record yourself delivering your elevator pitch 10 to 15 times. Watching the playback helps you spot verbal tics and refine your posture until the delivery feels natural. You can also use the chat GPT voice feature to conduct mock [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Ask it for five technical questions common for a junior sysadmin and practice answering them out loud. This vocal practice builds the [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) needed to articulate your technical knowledge and answer difficult questions under pressure. Even with a great plan, the IT job market is competitive. Success requires a high level of consistency over several months. In many cases, it takes between 30 and 150 optimized [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) to secure just one or two [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). You can focus on the difficulty of the market, or you can focus on the variables you can control, your certifications, your labs, and your outreach. Executing these five steps shifts your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) from a passive wait-for-a-callback into an active campaign that highlights your technical capabilities. There is a lot more to help you at [jobsearch.community](http://jobsearch.community). Free content, one and $2 content, video courses, books, guides to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And if you become an insider, you’ll receive coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the big game hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), and access to all the content. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** College Grads, IT Job Search Tips, Text --- ### [A High-Signal AI Outreach Strategy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-high-signal-ai-outreach-strategy/) **Published:** June 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop being a liability and start using high-signal tactics that command respect. **Content:** # A High-Signal AI Outreach Strategy **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Decision-makers are drowning in automated garbage; if your outreach looks like a generic [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) template, it’s going straight to the trash. This episode breaks down the “80/20” rule for using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as a [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) powerhouse while keeping your human edge to actually land the meeting. Stop being a liability and start using high-signal tactics that command respect. Timestamps 00:00 – The crisis of the modern executive inbox. 00:22 – The “Uncanny Valley” of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) writing. 00:41 – Why “polished” messages are now a digital red flag. 01:03 – The Pivot: Moving from scale to integrity. 01:20 – The 80/20 Workflow: Machine synthesis vs. human insight. 01:38 – Anatomy of a high-signal prompt. 01:53 – Performing a “Fluff Audit” to remove corporate filler. 02:10 – Ethical boundaries and security risks with [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools. 02:37 – Using public signals to demonstrate strategic depth. 02:54 – Before & After: Transforming a coffee chat into a context exchange. 03:24 – Building the “Value Loop” of unique expertise. 03:48 – Resources and coaching at JobSearch.Community. Modern executive inboxes are under siege. Every morning, decision makers face an unrelenting flood of automated, low-grade noise. These messages often appear grammatically perfect, yet they signal a complete lack of originality. They rely on the same generic corporate filler— passionate, synergy, and deep dive. In robotics, the uncanny valley describes the revulsion felt when a machine looks almost, but not quite, human. This happens in writing when a message follows a perfect structure, but lacks the idiosyncratic rhythm and specific soul of human conversation. The result is a visceral sense of unease in the reader. Experienced [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) have developed a high-sensitivity filter for this synthetic tone. A polished, overly enthusiastic three-paragraph structure is now a digital red flag. For a knowledge-educated professional, the risk of using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) lies in its tendency to erase your unique voice, making you sound exactly like everyone else in the pile. Surviving in this market requires a pivot. You must move away from using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for mere scale and start using it to demonstrate high-level integrity. This requires a strict operational protocol. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) serves as your [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) synthesizer, never as your final author. The machine handles the 80% of tedious labor, synthesizing quarterly reports and identifying specific strategic friction points. You provide the remaining 20%. This is where you inject the tonal nuance, industry inside jokes, and immediate context a machine cannot replicate. Obtaining those clinical observations requires a specific prompt structure. By instructing the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to distill operational concerns into three bullet points and avoid salesy language, you maintain a clinical, observant tone that commands respect. Even with a precise prompt, you must perform a fluff audit. You have to strip away corporate filler that suggests you have nothing original to contribute. This specific division of labor proves to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager that you have done actual, strategic work rather than deploying a lazy pitch. In defensive outreach, your professional judgment is being evaluated from the very first touch point. Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to scrape private cell phone numbers or non-public data signals a lack of professional boundaries. These aggressive tactics are immediate ethical [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/). Security is equally vital. You must never input proprietary metrics or internal data from your current employer into a public [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool to generate your pitch. Professional outreach should restrict its analysis to public signals, SEC filings, official blogs, and earnings calls. This shows respect for boundaries while highlighting your attention to detail. Referencing a public signal with a unique insight shows strategic depth. Using private data makes you a liability. Look at the transformed outreach message. By removing the corporate fluff, we are left with a clinical, targeted piece of communication. The strategy shifts from an amateur request for a generic coffee chat to a professional [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) for a context exchange. You pair the AI’s identification of a strategic gap with your own peer-level observation, noting how a specific lever for [resilience](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resilience-not-worry/) worked when you navigated a similar crisis in your own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). This creates a value loop. It establishes an oneliness, a unique combination of public market insights and personal expertise that mass outreach tools cannot replicate. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) serves as a force multiplier for [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), but securing the meeting requires a human being who demonstrates both high-level intelligence and high-level discretion. There is much more to help you at [SobSearch.Community](http://jobsearch.community). Free content, $1 and $2 information, and if you become an insider, you get access to all the content, plus coaching from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***The Cost of a Long Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oM3) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. *[**When Following Up Backfires**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oL4)* ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking **Tags:** A High-Signal AI Outreach Strategy --- ### [Career Branding Lessons For Today’s Professional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-branding-lessons-for-todays-professional/) **Published:** June 1, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** When it comes to your career and your future, there are no small mistakes. Everything you do has an impact on your career. **Content:** # Career Branding Lessons For Today’s Professional **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When people go to a store to buy detergent, they never pick up the box or container, flip it over, read the list of ingredients, and decide, “Hmm. The interrelationship of the chemicals in this [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) will make my laundry cleaner than the ones in this one. Instead, they decide based on the [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/), the price, whether they have a coupon, and whether someone told them to buy the particular [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) for any or all of those reasons. It has nothing to do with the ability of the detergent to clean their laundry better than another one. **This is an example of how [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) shapes our decision-making** When it comes to [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) and your future, there are no small [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Everything you do has an impact on [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Whether you realize it or not, you are building a [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) for yourself as you go. Everything from what you say to what you wear carries meaning and can either hurt or help your long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) prospects. If you’re serious about your future and want to stand out from the rest of the competition, then these are a few helpful tips about [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) yourself in [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and beyond. With commitment, anyone can take steps toward building their [personal brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/), but it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and effort to get started, but once you understand what [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) means for [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), the world opens up with new opportunities and potential contacts that will be invaluable down the line. **Who knows about you?** The [first step](https://thebiggamehunter.us/youre-going-to-have-to-take-the-first-step-video/) to building a positive [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) is making sure that the information people see about you is accurate and helpful. When you think about [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), consider the overall impression that people have of you right now. Do they know your name? What kind of work have you done? What do you want them to know about you? What do they know about you that’s true or false? What do they know that helps [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/)? What do they know that hurts [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/)? If few people know anything about you, you are invisible. You might not be able to control what others say about you, but you can control and create the information about yourself that’s out there. **Know your audience** When it comes to [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), you need to know your audience. Who do you want to hire you? Who do you want to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) opportunities to you? You need to know where your ideal job can be found, how to be qualified to work there, and how to have people who work there know about you. Whether it’s attending [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) events, joining professional groups, or spending time on websites and apps designed to help you connect with potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), be in the right places to meet the right people while doing things that will help them get to know, like, trust and respect you. Learn your audience’s perspective. What do they care about? What do they have in common with you? What are their pain points? What would they like to see in a potential employee… like you? **Be mindful of your choices** Build your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) by being mindful of your choices. Don’t just be aware of the things you put out there about yourself; make an effort to be mindful of the choices you make for [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). Maintaining the right appearance and being mindful about where you choose to advertise and promote yourself while ensuring you have the right supporting documents can help make a good [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/). Make sure your documents are clean, error-free, and up-to-date. Make sure your online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) is well-maintained. You don’t want to be the person who doesn’t take care of their image. A sloppy look or sloppy work can leave a bad impression that can be hard to overcome. **Be authentic** Be authentic in everything that you do, and you’ll go a long way to building your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). After all, what’s the point of [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) yourself if you’re not being genuine? Be careful not to misrepresent yourself, and don’t be [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) to tell the truth either. You’re likely to attract [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) and clients who resonate with you and your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) if you’re being authentic with them. **Show, don’t just speak, your value by becoming a subject matter [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/)** It’s not enough to say what you can do for them; you have to demonstrate it. Pick a subject that you’re audience cares about, and use it to demonstrate your value to potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) and consulting clients. You can demonstrate your value by creating a blog that advises people in your field, publishing articles in trade publications and/or [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), being interviewed for a podcast, for a YouTube show, or even writing a book. Whatever you do, make sure that you’re showing [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) and clients the value you can provide, not just telling them about it. If someone can’t see it, then it’s likely that they won’t believe you, and they won’t contact you, let alone hire you. **Develop a platform for your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/)** Build a platform for your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) by creating an online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). You could start a blog, join an online community, or publish articles on social media. You can also create and manage an online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) by setting up an online [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), joining professional networks, and ensuring that you have a strong and consistent [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) on all professional websites where you have an account. What does your online [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) say about you? Can potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) find you online? What do they see when they visit your website or social media pages? Is there information on your site that helps potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) see how you can benefit them? **Get targeted [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) and certifications** Build your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) by getting targeted [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) and certifications that enhance your expertise or fills gaps in your background. What are [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) looking for in a hire? Many industries have certification boards that determine what certifications are required at what level. You can use those certification boards to your advantage by researching the certification requirements for the industries you want to work in, then working to get those certifications and putting them on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, and website. **Network like crazy** By far, one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) ways to build your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) and connect with the right people is through [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and elevating your network. There are many [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) events and opportunities for you to meet, connect and network with people to make connections that may benefit [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). In addition, you can also network online, in professional groups, and through social media. When you’re [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), make sure that you’re asking questions, not just talking about yourself. You want to make connections with people and build relationships with them. they see how valuable you can be to them. REMEMBER: [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) goes both ways. Help them while you are promoting yourself. **Conclusion** [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) yourself is not putting together a good [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) yourself is not just showing up to [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). It’s about forming connections, providing value, and making sure that you are presenting yourself in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd. Successful [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. If you’re serious about [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), it’s time to start building your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2024, 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, Text **Tags:** Career Branding Lessons For Today’s Professional --- ### [AI-Driven Networking: How to Map & Fix Relationship Debt](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-driven-networking-how-to-map-fix-relationship-debt/) **Published:** May 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Your professional network is a living ledger. If you only log in when you want to make a withdrawal, you will find the account closed. **Content:** # AI-Driven Networking: How to Map & Fix Relationship Debt **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In the lifecycle of a professional [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/), technical skill and operational execution are only half the ledger. The hidden asset—or liability—that dictates your upward mobility is what I call **Relationship Debt**. Relationship debt is the accumulated deficit built when you allow your professional network to go dormant, only reaching out when you need an immediate favor, like a job recommendation or an internal [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). Whether you are a high-level individual contributor (IC) or a senior leader, treating your network like a transactional vending machine signals a profound lack of [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) stewardship. It’s bad business, and frankly, people see right through it. To break this cycle, you need to shift from reactive [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) to proactive capital management. By utilizing [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as an analytical engine, you can map the hidden deficits in your professional ecosystem and systematically clear that debt before you ever need to ask for a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). ### 1. The Individual Contributor Ledger: Rebuilding the Peer Architecture For individual contributors, relationship debt typically accumulates horizontally. You get so deeply embedded in your day-to-day code, designs, or analysis that you lose touch with the peers, former managers, and technical leads who moved on to other organizations. When an internal pipeline freezes, you are left with zero high-fidelity advocates inside your target firms. - **The Strategy:** Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to execute a semantic audit of your professional history to identify where your functional network has clustered. - **The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Protocol:** Compile a list of your top 20 past collaborators from the last 5 years. Feed their current titles and companies into an LLM. - **The Diagnostic Prompt:** > “Analyze this cohort of past professional connections. Group them by their current technical ecosystems and market sectors. Identify the primary macro operational challenge their respective organizations are facing right now. Draft a low-friction, value-first touchpoint for a past peer that offers a specific technical resource or insight related to that challenge, requiring zero immediate favors.” - **The Action:** Re-engage by sending a specific technical asset such as a white paper, an open-source framework, or a clinical observation about an industry shift. Keep the message structure clean and direct: > “I saw your team is scaling \[X\]. We ran into a similar structural bottleneck at my last firm and found that \[Y\] was the only real lever. Thought this data point might save you some cycles.” ### 2. The Senior Leadership Ledger: Mapping Enterprise Vulnerabilities For [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) and senior directors, relationship debt accumulates vertically and cross-functionally. A leader’s debt isn’t just about forgetting to stay in touch; it is a failure to maintain relationships with the capital allocators, board members, and operating partners who control the mandates for unlisted executive roles. - **The Strategy:** Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to find the strategic misalignment between your past leadership network and the current market requirements. - **The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Protocol:** Input the company names of your past executive sponsors, former clients, and board contacts alongside recent macro news from their respective industries. - **The Analytical Prompt:** > “Review this list of executive contacts and their corporate domains. Based on current market pressures (such as margin compression, regulatory shifts, or supply chain volatility), identify which of these leaders is managing a [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) company or department under the highest strategic duress. Synthesize a high-level operational thesis that highlights how a turnaround framework could insulate their specific business unit.” - **The Action:** Initiate a peer-to-peer context exchange. Reach out to the leader under duress with a professional, low-ego note. > “I’ve been analyzing the recent market shift regarding \[Industry Pressure\]. Having navigated a parallel restructuring during the last cyclical downturn, I put together a brief framework on how we protected margin integrity without halting product velocity. Let me know if you want the brief to share with your leadership team.” ### The Relationship Debt Balance Sheet **Transactional Approach (High Debt)****The Asset Framework (Zero Debt)**“Hey, it’s been 3 years. I’m looking for a new role, can you forward my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to your VP?”“I’ve been analyzing your sector’s shift. Here is a specific asset to save your team cycles.”### 3. The Automation Audit: Eliminating the Sentimental Bot The fastest way to compound your relationship debt when re-engaging is to send a message that sounds like it was written by an automated nurturing sequence. Phrases like *“I hope this finds you well,”* or *“Congrats on the new role, let’s catch up!”* are low-signal conversational noise. The human brain filters them out instantly. - **The 80/20 Rule of Re-engagement:** Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to analyze the macro trends and outline the operational pain points (the 80%). Do not let the machine write the final message (the 20%). - **The De-Boilerplate Filter:** Run your outreach script through a final stylistic filter. Ask the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/): > “Strip out all generic conversational openings, emotional hyperbole, and synthetic enthusiasm from this draft. Keep the sentences short, direct, and focused. Ensure the tone reflects the natural vocabulary of two busy professionals trading high-value notes.” ### The Bottom Line Your professional network is a living ledger. If you only log in when you want to make a withdrawal, you will find the account closed. By leveraging [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to identify where the market is creating friction for your connections, you can systematically deliver value before you ever ask for access. You move from a position of market dependency to a position of true [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) agency. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Tip for a Successful Video Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mjC) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Networking, Text **Tags:** AI-Driven Networking: How to Map & Fix Relationship Debt --- ### [Be Open #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-open-shorts/) **Published:** May 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** It's important to remain open. **Content:** # **Be Open** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Vb_WALJU4lY) It’s important to remain open. [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the original host and creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in iTunes the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.It is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** Be Open --- ### [Essential Job Search Tools](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The hiring process relies heavily on automation, AI screening, and structured evaluations. To compete, you need specific tools **Content:** # **Essential Job Search Tools** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** **NOTE**: There are NO affiliate links in this article. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even provide a link to the product or website to avoid being accused of hiding affiliate links. You all know how to find a website to evaluate these products for your own use. I also am not endorsing these products. I am offering information about different products and tools that are available to help you. Getting a job requires more than submitting a generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/). The [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) process relies heavily on automation, [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) screening, and structured evaluations. To compete, you need specific tools to tailor your [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/), find the right roles, prepare for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your compensation. Here is a direct breakdown of the tools and strategies that work. **[Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and [Applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/)** A single, static [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) will not pass modern [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)). You must tailor your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) for every [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to match the specific job description. Jobscan remains the standard for scoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) against a job posting, highlighting missing keywords to help you pass automated filters. If you want a dedicated [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) builder, Kickresume offers extensive templates and an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) writer, while Rezi focuses heavily on real-time [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) optimization. For those who prefer a single platform for multiple tasks, Seekario offers an all-in-one suite that includes [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) building, tailoring, [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) generation, and tracking. For high-volume, FastApply automates the process by tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) for specific roles and [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) across multiple job boards automatically. If your main issue is organization, Teal provides a highly effective free [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) tracker with a drag-and-drop interface. You can also use general [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools like [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) or Claude to rewrite [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) bullets and draft [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), though they lack built-in [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) scoring. **Finding the Right Roles** Targeting the right job boards saves time. If you want remote work paying over $100,000, use Remote100K. They manually vet high-paying remote roles, eliminating low-quality listings. Tech professionals should look at Peerlist, a platform that requires a high profile score to apply for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) and uses project walls to verify actual coding and design skills. Freelancers and independent contractors should use Contra, a commission-free platform focused entirely on project portfolios rather than traditional [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agents are also changing how people apply. Browser-based agents like Claude Code and [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) Codex can navigate job boards, read postings, and fill out simple [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) on your behalf. However, they consistently fail on complex, multi-page enterprise [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) forms. Remember that [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can help with speed, but your overall strategy matters more. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to dozens of incorrect [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) with an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) agent is a waste of time. **[Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) and Personal [Branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/)** Personal [branding](https://thebiggamehunter.us/developing-your-brand/) is a practical requirement. The vast majority of [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) vet candidates on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) before making contact. Make sure your profile has a professional photo, a headline that states your specific value instead of just your current title, and a summary focused on quantifiable achievements. Ensure your job titles and dates match your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) exactly; discrepancies will immediately [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/). For active [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), do not rely on cold outreach alone. Lunchclub uses [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to match you for 1:1 video calls based on your specific professional intent, such as mentorship or job seeking. If you need to manage a large network on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), LeadDelta helps you tag and organize your connections, acting as a personal CRM. Having a personal website or [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) is also highly recommended. Tools like Carrd or Notion allow you to quickly set up a page showcasing your work samples and a downloadable [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/). **[Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Preparation** Practicing for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) with standard [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) chatbots provides a false sense of security. They are programmed to be agreeable and will not tell you if you missed the core leadership signal a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager is looking for. Instead, use dedicated [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaches. Revarta is highly effective for behavioral and leadership [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). It provides honest, critical [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) based on the STAR method and actual [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) standards, pointing out exactly where your answers lack depth. If your main issue is vocal delivery, Yoodli analyzes your speech, identifying filler words, [eye contact](https://thebiggamehunter.us/making-eye-contact-on-camera/), and pacing issues. If you have video [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), Huru provides excellent practice for on-camera delivery. Under no circumstances should you use real-time [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) copilots that feed you answers during live [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). These are considered cheating and will destroy your professional reputation. **[Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) Negotiation** When you receive an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), never [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) verbally over the phone. Always ask for 24 hours to review the written [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Once the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is in writing, the employer is fully committed to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) you, and your leverage increases significantly. Use platforms like Levels.fyi to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) accurate [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) data, especially for technology roles. Present your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) request as a range rather than a single number, and anchor that range 10 to 15 percent above their initial [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Base your argument on the return on investment you will bring to the company, highlighting specific past achievements, rather than your personal financial needs. If the employer states that the base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is locked within a strict internal band, do not give up. Pivot immediately to total compensation. You can often successfully [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) for a signing bonus, accelerated [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) vesting, extra paid time off, or a professional development budget. Total compensation is where [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) have the most flexibility. **Conclusion** The right tools streamline the repetitive, time-consuming parts of the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to optimize your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/4-steps-to-getting-better-resume-results-lose-25-pounds-grow-hair-and-lose-3-inches-of-belly-fat/) for [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) filters, organize your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) pipeline, and practice your behavioral [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) answers. By automating the mechanical tasks, you can focus your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) on strategic [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/), demonstrating your actual skills, and negotiating the compensation you deserve. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the original host and creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in iTunes the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.It is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Text, Tools **Tags:** Essential Job Search Tools --- ### [Your Online Presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Check your online presence. You never know. **Content:** # Your Online Presence **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Nmpw9BbOMlE) Check your online presence. You never know. [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the creator and original host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** your online presence --- ### [LinkedIn Mistakes: Not Sharing Contact Information with Connections #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-mistakes-not-sharing-contact-information-with-connections-shorts/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I have been accepting connection requests from people today and been shocked by the job hunters who don't share their email addresses on LinkedIn **Content:** # LinkedIn Mistakes: Not Sharing Contact Information with Connections #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/rta8JtGrMco) I have been accepting connection requests from people today and been shocked by the job hunters who don’t share their email addresses on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). [***Should You Apply If They’ve Interviewed A Lot of People?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lgN) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***The Top 10 Hiring Mistakes Managers Make***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fSp) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***What You Should Do Before Accepting a Job Offer?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hL7) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn, Mistakes **Tags:** LinkedIn Mistakes: Not Sharing Contact Information with Connections --- ### [Proofread Your LinkedIn Profile #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/proofread-your-linkedin-profile-shorts/) **Published:** May 28, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:**  @BrendaMellerMarketing  shared this simple to implement idea for proofreading your LinkedIn profile. **Content:** # Proofread Your LinkedIn Profile **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/s_KfgTLTND0) [ @BrendaMellerMarketing ](https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCkOxv-vv9jAfxB9QSPD1RwQ) shared this simple to implement idea for proofreading your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. [***10 LinkedIn Mistakes That Are Costing You Opportunities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cHH) *Copy all text from your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile into a Word doc. Check for spelling and grammar errors.* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn **Tags:** Proofread Your LinkedIn Profile --- ### [How to Connect With The Hidden Job Market #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-connect-with-the-hidden-job-market-shorts/) **Published:** May 31, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The hidden job market can be connected with. **Content:** # How to Connect With The Hidden Job Market #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/0TNkRjNhZwY)*** [The hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) can be connected with. [***That 1% . . .*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gzm) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Your Choice Determines Your Success***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gFZ) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[What Are the Biggest Mistakes Job Hunters Make?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Mg)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice --- ### [Bypassing the ATS with Referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/bypassing-the-ats-with-referrals/) **Published:** May 29, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Bypassing the ATS with Referrals **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You are wasting your time. Every day, I see smart, college-educated professionals log onto [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), find a job they love, and click that “Apply” button. They upload a beautiful [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), hit submit, and wait. And wait. Then the automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) email arrives, or worse, silence. Do you think a human being looked at your background and decided you weren’t a fit? Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) hit a system like Workday or Greenhouse, the machine misread your formatting or didn’t see the exact keyword string it wanted, and it dumped you in the virtual trash. If you want a job, you have to stop [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) through the front door. The front door is a [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/). You need to use a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) to bypass the [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) entirely. Let me tell you a story. ### The Executive Who Played the Wrong Game A few months ago, I was coaching a senior director of operations. Let’s call him Jim. Jim had a top-tier degree, fifteen years of clean corporate experience, and a track record of saving companies millions of dollars. He was an absolute asset. Jim found a role at a major firm that fit him perfectly. He spent more than an hour manually tailoring his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), matching every keyword he could find, and submitted it through the company’s [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) portal. Three days later, the machine spat him out. Automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/). No human interaction. Jim called me, furious and defeated. He said, “Jeff, I meet 100% of the requirements. Why don’t they want me?” I told him the truth: “They don’t even know you exist, Jim. The system broke your data. I keep telling you to avoid [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/). Are you ready to change tactics?” [***The Third Door: Abandoning the Main Line in Your Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-p3v) ### The Backdoor Protocol I had Jim log back onto [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). We didn’t look at the job board this time. We looked at the company’s people page. We found a person who would be Jim’s peer at the firm, another director in an adjacent department. They went to the same university, but more importantly, they shared the same operational stress points. Jim didn’t send a message asking for a job. Asking a stranger for a job puts a burden on them, and busy people say no to burdens. Instead, Jim sent a direct, two-sentence note: > *“I’ve been tracking your team’s expansion into the EMEA market. Having navigated that same supply-chain bottleneck at my last firm, I put together a brief outline of the specific vendor risks that usually pop up in month three. Let me know if you want me to forward the notes.”* They responded within four hours. They traded notes. Jim showed he was a competent peer who understood the operational reality, not a desperate job seeker. At the end of the conversation, the peer said, “You know, we are actually looking for someone with your background. Let me drop your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) directly into our internal system.” ### Why the Internal Lane Changes Everything When Jim’s new contact uploaded his [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) through the internal employee [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) portal, a few critical things happened automatically behind the scenes: - **The Priority Tag:** The [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) didn’t just parse Jim’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/); it stamped it with a “High-Priority Employee Referral” flag. - **The Gatekeeper Bypass:** In many enterprise tracking systems, referred profiles bypass the automated keyword knockout rounds. They are routed directly to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager or the lead recruiter’s inbox. - **The Vetting Premium:** A human being opened Jim’s [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because someone already inside the building put their own reputation on the line to recommend him. Jim got the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) invite 48 hours later. Same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Same company. Completely different result. ### The Bottom Line The [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is an efficiency tool for human resources, not a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) advancement tool for you. When you submit your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) cold, you are letting a system dictate your market value. If you continue to apply for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/), you are playing the volume game and it isn’t set up for you to win. It is set up to filter [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and track them through a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) process to ultimately onboarding. Instead, find a future peer, identify a public problem they are facing, [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a piece of high-value context, and let them handle the entry point. Work the network, find the person, and get referred. That is how you bypass the machine and get into the room. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Networking, Text **Tags:** Bypassing the ATS with Referrals --- ### [Engineering High-Value Visibility on LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/engineering-high-value-visibility-on-linkedin/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** LinkedIn is a global relational directory, and for a college-educated leader, visibility is only valuable if it signals structural authority. **Content:** # Engineering High-Value Visibility on LinkedIn **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most professionals [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) activity for impact. They publish generic industry updates, share corporate press releases, or congratulate distant connections on work anniversaries. This approach treats [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) like a standard social network. It is not. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is a global relational directory, and for a college-educated leader, visibility is only valuable if it signals structural authority. When you blend into the background of standard professional content, you become an interchangeable [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). To get noticed for the right reasons, you must transform your profile and your platform engagement into a high-fidelity broadcast of your unique market utility. ### 1. Activating Your Onlyness: The Core Anchor The ultimate defense against becoming a [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) is your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**—the precise intersection of your operational framework, industry history, and specific problem-solving blueprint that no other professional can duplicate. Getting noticed on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) begins with anchoring your [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) in this undeniable signature. - **The Strategy:** Your profile should immediately answer the most critical question an executive or capital allocator has: *What specific, structural drag can this person eliminate that no one else can?* - **The Optimization:** Move away from generic summaries like “Results-driven Operations Executive.” Instead, define your explicit domain intersection. - **The Frame:** *“Operational leader at the intersection of supply-chain restructuring and mid-market manufacturing. I step into organizations facing post-acquisition margin compression and implement localized automation frameworks to stabilize EBITDA within 120 days.”* This isn’t a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) headline; it is a declaration of monopoly power over a specific problem. ### 2. High-Yield Commenting: The Peer-Level Infiltration The most efficient way to get noticed by decision-makers is not by writing long-form posts that depend on algorithm luck. It is by embedding your expertise inside the comments sections of high-value industry conversations. ``` [The Visibility Vector] Standard Posting (Low Yield): --> High-Yield Commenting (High Yield): Publishing an unread text block --> Injecting a surgical insight directly hoping an executive sees it. into a C-suite leader's live thread. ``` - **The Tactic:** Identify 15 to 20 target executive peers, board members, or industry analysts within your target sector. - **The Execution:** When they publish an industry observation or a strategic question, do not respond with generic praise like “Great insight!” Instead, deliver a **Surgical Contribution**–a 3-sentence, data-backed counterpoint or expansion that proves you understand the micro-dynamics of their business. - **The Logic:** When a chief operating officer sees a clinical, deeply informed critique or validation in their comments, they don’t just read it; they click through to the profile behind it. You are using their existing audience to validate your own authority. ### 3. Curation of Proof: The Structural “Featured” Section When a peer or a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) lands on your profile due to a high-yield comment, your “Featured” section is the landing page that converts their curiosity into an inbound engagement. If this section is blank, or if it simply links to your company’s latest [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) fair, the momentum dies instantly. - **The Strategy:** Treat this space as a curated [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) of your signature thinking. - **The Content Mix:** Pin exactly three high-signal assets: a 1,000-word white paper detailing your operational playbook, a video recording of an industry panel you anchored, or a data visualization mapping a macro market shift in your sector. - **The Objective:** This provides immediate, tangible proof of work. It allows a visiting decision-maker to witness the execution of your [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) without requiring a formal [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). ### 4. The Counter-Cyclical Post: Intellectual Contrarianism If you choose to publish long-form content, avoid the [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) of regurgitating standard corporate orthodoxy. The corporate world is flooded with identical advice on “how to be a empathetic leader” or “the importance of innovation.” High-value professionals stand out by offering data-driven, **counter-cyclical perspectives**. - **The Strategy:** Address a standard industry assumption and systematically dismantle it using your unique operational lens. - **The Prompt Structure:** Identify a common trend or tool that everyone in your sector is adopting, and highlight the hidden structural debt or security liability it creates. - **The Tone:** Keep the delivery entirely clinical, analytical, and low-ego. You are not complaining; you are auditing an industry-wide blind spot. When you highlight a risk that other [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are silently worrying about, you position yourself as the leader equipped to navigate it. ### The Bottom Line Getting noticed on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for the right reasons requires a shift from self-promotion to **value delivery**. When you anchor your profile in [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), infiltrate high-level conversations with surgical insights, and back up your claims with an explicit record of proof, you cease to be a passive participant in the digital landscape. You become a high-signal asset that the market actively seeks out. **We have structured your digital signal for premium visibility. Should we move into the “Negotiated [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) Pivot” next to ensure your compensation framework scales alongside the market authority we are building?** Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, LinkedIn, Text **Tags:** Engineering High-Value Visibility on LinkedIn --- ### [Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You Gotta Do #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/sometimes-youve-gotta-do-what-you-gotta-do-shorts/) **Published:** May 28, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** BEING AN ADULT IS HARD. **Content:** # Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You Gotta Do **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/cpXypjWEYTc) BEING AN ADULT IS HARD. [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Tip for a Successful Video Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mjC) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts **Tags:** being responsible, paying your bills, Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You Gotta Do #shorts, taking a lower level job, you have to do what you have to do --- ### [Match Your Resume to Job Descriptions for Free #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/match-your-resume-to-job-descriptions-for-free-shorts-jobsearchtv/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Zapier's Chrome extension can compare your resume against job descriptions in real-time and get AI improvements for perfect matching and interview preparation. **Content:** # Match Your Resume to Job Descriptions for Free #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/RQ-hhMRGb8k) Zapier’s Chrome extension can compare your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) against job descriptions in real-time and get [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) improvements for perfect matching and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) preparation. ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job, ChatGPT/AI, Tools **Tags:** Match Your Resume to Job Descriptions for Free --- ### [Is It OK to Refer Someone to A Recruiter After Turning Down an Opportunity?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-refer-someone-to-a-recruiter-after-turning-down-an-opportunity-nobsjobsearchadvice-com/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A viewer was curious about whether it was OK to refer someone to a recruiter even though they, themselves, were not interested in the job. **Content:** # Is It OK to Refer Someone to A Recruiter After Turning Down an Opportunity from Them? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** A viewer was curious about whether it was OK to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) someone to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) even though they, themselves, were not interested in the job. ***Big Company Person [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) at a Small Company?*** The question I received for someone is, is it okay to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) someone to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) after turning down an opportunity from them? I’m not going to beat around the bush. The answer is, yeah. What is a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) hired to do? A [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is hired to fill a position. You may not be interested in what they have to [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), but you’re helping them by referring your friend to them, [by referring your former colleague](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ive-had-a-minor-felony-conviction-and-a-former-colleague-wants-to-refer-me-for-a-job/) or your colleague to them. It’s a good thing. They will appreciate it. Now, if you’re just referring some piece of spam to them, I’ll just give an example that always happened with me. The person who I contact for the manager or director role, referring the person who is not a manager or director person, but aspires to be that, they’re not going to fill that job. Another example used to be the, you know, I’m trying to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a developer and I’m getting a business analyst referred to me. Two completely different functions, right? Once you’ve heard about the position, you have a roadmap for the job and you can say to them, tell me a little bit more. I’m not interested, but I may [know someone](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-referred-when-someone-offers-to-refer-you-if-they-know-someone-jobsearchtv-com/). And they’ll go into it a little bit more detail. Ask another [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) question or two for them because that’s going to let them know that you’re trying to [really think](https://thebiggamehunter.us/in-case-you-were-wondering-what-recruiters-really-think-about-you-jobsearchtv-com/) about it. And then, you know, say to them, I want to send you someone’s name and number. I’m going to message them now and I’m going to include you in the message. So just reply all so that I know you’ve gotten back and gotten in touch with them and they’ll know that I’m the frame of reference for the introduction. And after that, you can take me out of the loop, but it just lets me know that I’ve made the [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). You’ve [replied back](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-you-reply-back-to-a-rejection-email-jobsearchtv-com/) and it’s all being handled. It’s just, yes, they want [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) from people because [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) are often, in the recruiter’s mind, a good source for a client because a person who they believe to be qualified for the role is referring someone else who understands what the role might be. Again, don’t give them spam [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). Don’t give them garbage [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). It has to be something valid for the role or another role that they’re recruiting for. Otherwise, you’re just [wasting their time](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-search-tips-ways-to-avoid-wasted-time/) and you look very foolish. So that’s today’s show. I hope you found it helpful. And if you did, here are a few more ways to get more from me. First of all, there’s my website, which is [TheBigGameHunter.us](http://TheBigGameHunter.us). I have more than 8,000 blog posts there that you can watch, listen to or read that will help you find your [next job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-be-interviewing-for-my-next-job-when-i-am-content-in-my-current-one-3/). In addition, if you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you, at the site, there’s a button there that says schedule. Schedule time for a free discovery call. Schedule yourself in for [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) preparation [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [salary negotiation advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-b-s-job-search-advice-negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/), how to have your questions answered or [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) related to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading, helping you be a better executive in your organization and, overall, being a better employee of your firm. You can also connect with me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com forward slash IN forward slash TheBigGameHunter. Mention that you watch or listen to my content. I like knowing I’m helping folks. Once we’re connected, if you’re interested in [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), let me know. I think it’s easier at the website. But if that’s the way you want to do it, so be it. Lastly, join my group on Facebook called [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Angles. It’s focused on helping you do better at work. Information there is shared daily and I’m attempting to build a supportive group there. Ask to join. I’m not letting [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) in. So, I want to make it a safe place for everyone. I’ll be back tomorrow with more. And in the meantime, I hope you have a great day. Be great! [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Me-Big-Smile1-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Over 60 and Job Hunting: 10 Ideas for You](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3xk)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Find a Job When Yo***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5)[***u Are Over 60?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p5) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Is It Possible to Find a Job When You Are Over 60***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4p3) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, Recruiters, Text **Tags:** Is It OK to Refer Someone to A Recruiter After Turning Down an Opportunity? --- ### [Should I Have a Website?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-have-a-website-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** May 28, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter answer someone's question about whether or not to have a website. **Content:** # Should I Have a Website? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) answer someone’s question about whether or not to have a website. [***The Layoff Playbook: What To Do Right Now: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide*** ](https://amzn.to/3PU6za9) I’m a university student that’s [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). Apparently, they’re graduating. Should I have a personal website? I have a GitHub and a SlideShare account already. Is it a good idea to make a personal website with the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and all the links to GitHub, SlideShare and other sites? So, here’s my thought. You can do that. It’s going to take time and you also have to then think about SEO. Here’s a simpler way to go about doing it. Number one is get to a service like about.me or flavors.me. Link all your sites through there. They’ve got far more readily found discovery than your site will have. Get a simple blog account like a blogger account or a Wix page. Put your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) there. Link everything to it from about.me or flavors.me. You’ll accomplish the same thing. It’ll take you a lot less time and their results are going to be far more effective than what your website will probably draw. So, that’s today’s show. I hope you found it helpful. And if you did, I want to encourage you to take me up on my free seven-day trial at [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community). That’s my site with curated information that you can watch, listen to or read to help you find work more quickly. And, and I want to remind you, subscribe to [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Radio on iTunes or Stitcher. It helps me a lot. It helps other people discover the show. You’ll get podcasts delivered to you Monday through Friday, very early in the morning. They’re bite-sized morsels designed to help you find work. Hope to have you back soon. Have a great day. Take care. If you would like to have Jeff give you advice about your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), you’ll love JobSearchCoachingHQ.com. This site has all of Jeff’s books and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) available free. The ability to have Jeff answer your questions, plus podcasts and videos that’ll help you with all the different parts of a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), including writing a winning [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), great answers to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) questions, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) effectively, whether you want an easy way or want to get tough, plus a community of people like you who you can get advice from. The site again is [JobSearch.Community](http://JobSearch.Community) That’s [JobSearch.Community.](http://JobSearch.Community) [***Do What Recruiters Do***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2sa) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***15 Ways to Become Irresistible to Employers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMe) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, Branding, Text **Tags:** Should I Have a Website? --- ### [Age Proof Your Job Search: 10 Steps to Get Hired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/age-proof-your-job-search-10-steps-to-get-hired/) **Published:** May 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Stop fighting stereotypes and start leading with the advantages of a battle-tested career. **Content:** # Age Proof Your Job Search: 10 Steps to Get Hired **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) in [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) isn’t just about your birth year–it’s about how you project your skills and [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). This episode breaks down 10 immediate, practical steps to modernize your digital [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) and communication style so [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) see your value instead of your age. Stop fighting stereotypes and start leading with the advantages of a battle-tested [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). **Timestamps** 00:00 – The 3 [red flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/) [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) look for on mature [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) 00:37 – Step 1: Why your AOL email address is a liability 00:52 – Step 2: Modernizing your phone number and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL 01:02 – Step 3: Killing the “Years of Experience” summary 01:12 – Step 4: Using expertise-driven language over year counts 01:20 – Step 5: The danger of hiding your graduation dates 01:39 – Step 6: Setting the standard for a professional [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile 01:59 – Step 7: Matching your wardrobe to modern corporate standards 02:16 – Step 8: Demonstrating tech-savviness in real-time 02:39 – Step 9: Using the PARV framework to communicate value 02:59 – Step 10: Targeting the right organizations for high-yield results 03:27 – Adopting a “Consultant Mindset” during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) 03:49 – Projecting [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) and countering stamina stereotypes [Ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) is a reality, but it often stems from how a candidate is perceived rather than a direct [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) of their experience. When [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers look at a mature [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), they are often scanning for three specific red flags—outdated technical skills, a perceived resistance to new processes, and a lack of [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) for a demanding role. To counter those assumptions, we can work through a 10-step checklist designed to address these perceptions throughout the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) process. Completing these steps shifts your position. Instead of fighting an uphill battle against stereotypes, you lead with the advantages of a battle-tested [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Step 1 begins with your email. In this side-by-side comparison, the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) on the left uses an AOL address. To a modern [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/), this signals a lack of technical evolution. Use a clean, professional Gmail address instead, as shown on the right. Step 2 modernizes your contact formatting. Remove the parentheses from your area code in favor of a dot-format phone number, and provide a direct link to your customized [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL. Step 3 updates your professional summary. Phases like 45 years of experience immediately anchor the reader to your age before they’ve seen what you can actually do for them. Step 4 involves swapping specific year counts for phrases like highly experienced or extensive background. This keeps the focus on your expertise. Step 5 addresses your history. Many mature applicants try to hide their age by deleting [college graduation](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-speaker-at-your-college-graduation-shorts/) dates or early [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) milestones. However, this often backfires. Missing dates create a credibility gap that makes [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers pause. Including your full timeline shows you have nothing to hide, and reinforces a transparent professional history. Step 6 is your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/). [***The Over-50 Job Seeker’s Survival Guide: Beat Age Discrimination and Get Hired***](https://amzn.to/4u3cUPP) To meet current expectations, you need a high-resolution, shoulders-up headshot, and a background banner that reflects your specific industry. Refreshing these digital elements removes the surface-level indicators that often trigger an unconscious bias regarding a candidate’s outdatedness. Step 7 focuses on your physical presentation. Aligning your wardrobe and grooming with current corporate standards shows that you are attuned to the modern workplace. A suit or a pair of glasses from a decade ago can reinforce an interviewer’s fear that your ideas are stuck in the past. Step 8 involves demonstrating tech rather than just talking about it. This means being comfortable with the tools of the trade, using a tablet for notes, wearing a smartwatch, or navigating a video [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) without technical hitches. When you lead with modern aesthetics and a casual proficiency with technology, the interviewer can focus on the actual substance of your qualifications. Step 9 is communicating your experience through the PARV framework. The framework starts by defining a specific problem your previous employer faced, followed by the action you took to resolve it. You then explain the measurable result of your work and the value it created, like increased efficiency or reduced overhead. Step 10 is targeting the right organizations. [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to rigid, massive corporations often leads to lower yields for mature candidates. Instead, look for small-to-medium businesses, startups in need of seasoned leadership, or companies in the middle of a relocation that require operational stability. By framing your history as a series of PARV solutions and targeting high-need companies, you position your age as an advantage. During the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), shift your mindset from being an applicant to being a business [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/). Asking W questions like what is the current strategy or what are the primary obstacles to this goal pivots the session into a peer-level business conversation. It is also vital to avoid any defensive or pessimistic comments regarding your age or the length of your search. Instead, look for opportunities to weave in evidence of your current momentum. Mentioning active hobbies or physical fitness helps counter stereotypes about low [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/), demonstrating that you have the stamina required for a leadership role. Taking control of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) dynamics and projecting unforced positive [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) signals that you are focused and ready to contribute immediately. While market [ageism](https://thebiggamehunter.us/neutralize-ageism-shift-leverage-to-strategic-value/) is a real challenge, these 10 steps address the specific perceptions that hold most candidates back. When you align your digital [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/), your appearance, and your value proposition with modern standards, you demonstrate that your experience is a direct answer to the market’s needs. Start with your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile today. Proper positioning ensures that when you walk into that next [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), you are seen for exactly what you are, a seasoned professional who is ready to lead. ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Over 50 **Tags:** Age Proof Your Job Search: 10 Steps to Get Hired --- ### [Don’t Limit Yourself When You Network #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/dont-limit-yourself-when-you-network-shorts/) **Published:** May 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Networking shouldn't be confined to a professional setting. **Content:** # Don’t Limit Yourself When You Network #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/Ib7Rtpkk_OA) [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) shouldn’t be confined to a professional setting. [***The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2800 episodes. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Networking **Tags:** Don’t Limit Yourself When You Network --- ### [No BS Career Advice: May 24 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-may-24-2026/) **Published:** May 25, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: May 24 2025 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![ Acting desperate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Acting-desperate-Gemini_Generated_Image_gqu79dgqu79dgqu7-1024x1024.png) Memorial Day is not a [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) day. It is a day to honor those whose lives ended in service to our nation. Yes, we may celebrate it . . . but it should be about honoring them. But it is a day to be thankful for those who were willing to serve us in the past so we might have today and a future. ## Engineering High-Value Visibility on LinkedIn **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most professionals [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) activity for impact. They publish generic industry updates, share corporate press releases, or congratulate distant connections on work anniversaries. This approach treats [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) like a standard social network. It is not. [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is a global relational directory, and for a college-educated leader, visibility is only valuable if it signals structural authority. When you blend into the background of standard professional content, you become an interchangeable [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). To get noticed for the right reasons, you must transform your profile and your platform engagement into a high-fidelity broadcast of your unique market utility. ### 1. Activating Your Onlyness: The Core Anchor The ultimate defense against becoming a [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/) is your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)**—the precise intersection of your operational framework, industry history, and specific problem-solving blueprint that no other professional can duplicate. Getting noticed on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) begins with anchoring your [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) in this undeniable signature. - **The Strategy:** Your profile should immediately answer the most critical question an executive or capital allocator has: *What specific, structural drag can this person eliminate that no one else can?* - **The Optimization:** Move away from generic summaries like “Results-driven Operations Executive.” Instead, define your explicit domain intersection. - **The Frame:** *“Operational leader at the intersection of supply-chain restructuring and mid-market manufacturing. I step into organizations facing post-acquisition margin compression and implement localized automation frameworks to stabilize EBITDA within 120 days.”* This isn’t a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) headline; it is a declaration of monopoly power over a specific problem. ### 2. High-Yield Commenting: The Peer-Level Infiltration The most efficient way to get noticed by decision-makers is not by writing long-form posts that depend on algorithm luck. It is by embedding your expertise inside the comments sections of high-value industry conversations. ``` [The Visibility Vector] Standard Posting (Low Yield): --> High-Yield Commenting (High Yield): Publishing an unread text block --> Injecting a surgical insight directly hoping an executive sees it. into a C-suite leader's live thread. ``` - **The Tactic:** Identify 15 to 20 target executive peers, board members, or industry analysts within your target sector. - **The Execution:** When they publish an industry observation or a strategic question, do not respond with generic praise like “Great insight!” Instead, deliver a **Surgical Contribution**–a 3-sentence, data-backed counterpoint or expansion that proves you understand the micro-dynamics of their business. - **The Logic:** When a chief operating officer sees a clinical, deeply informed critique or validation in their comments, they don’t just read it; they click through to the profile behind it. You are using their existing audience to validate your own authority. ### 3. Curation of Proof: The Structural “Featured” Section When a peer or a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) lands on your profile due to a high-yield comment, your “Featured” section is the landing page that converts their curiosity into an inbound engagement. If this section is blank, or if it simply links to your company’s latest [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) fair, the momentum dies instantly. - **The Strategy:** Treat this space as a curated [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) of your signature thinking. - **The Content Mix:** Pin exactly three high-signal assets: a 1,000-word white paper detailing your operational playbook, a video recording of an industry panel you anchored, or a data visualization mapping a macro market shift in your sector. - **The Objective:** This provides immediate, tangible proof of work. It allows a visiting decision-maker to witness the execution of your [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) without requiring a formal [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). ### 4. The Counter-Cyclical Post: Intellectual Contrarianism If you choose to publish long-form content, avoid the [trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/) of regurgitating standard corporate orthodoxy. The corporate world is flooded with identical advice on “how to be a empathetic leader” or “the importance of innovation.” High-value professionals stand out by offering data-driven, **counter-cyclical perspectives**. - **The Strategy:** Address a standard industry assumption and systematically dismantle it using your unique operational lens. - **The Prompt Structure:** Identify a common trend or tool that everyone in your sector is adopting, and highlight the hidden structural debt or security liability it creates. - **The Tone:** Keep the delivery entirely clinical, analytical, and low-ego. You are not complaining; you are auditing an industry-wide blind spot. When you highlight a risk that other [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are silently worrying about, you position yourself as the leader equipped to navigate it. ### The Bottom Line Getting noticed on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) for the right reasons requires a shift from self-promotion to **value delivery**. When you anchor your profile in [Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), infiltrate high-level conversations with surgical insights, and back up your claims with an explicit record of proof, you cease to be a passive participant in the digital landscape. You become a high-signal asset that the market actively seeks out. **We have structured your digital signal for premium visibility. Should we move into the “Negotiated [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) Pivot” next to ensure your compensation framework scales alongside the market authority we are building?** Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 **How to Use 15-Minute Micro-Sprints to Land Your Next Role** **Excerpt**: Stop treating your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) like a marathon. Use short, focused 15-minute bursts instead. **Link**: **Using [AI for Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/): Stop the Friction** **Excerpt**: How to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools the right way to cut busywork, broken into three tiers based on your time and skill level. **Link**: **Tough [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Questions: Solve This Problem** **Excerpt**: The ability to solve this problem is one of the leading predictors of success on the job. **Link**: **Many [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) Have Already Caught On #shorts** **Excerpt**: They can spot what you’re doing. **Link**: **The Benefit of [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) Practice #shorts** **Excerpt**: Quick video explaining why [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) practice is so important. **Link**: **Disagreement #shorts** **Excerpt**: Short [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and art about living life. **Link**: **What Leaders Do #shorts** **Excerpt**: Real leadership isn’t about the title; it’s about what you do when no one is forcing your hand. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a swift, punchy look at the daily behaviors that separate true leaders from managers. **Link**: **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): May 17 2026** **Excerpt**: A comprehensive review of the modern job market strategies you need right now to remove friction, run micro-sprints, and stay ahead of competing talent. **Link**: **After the [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** **Excerpt**: The [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) doesn’t end when you walk out the door or close the Zoom window. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) maps out the immediate steps you must take to maintain momentum and protect your candidacy. **Link**: **Stupid [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): The Top Questions to NEVER Ask at a Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** **Excerpt**: The questions you ask at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) tell the employer exactly how you think. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the standard, self-serving questions that immediately disqualify top talent. **Link**: **Avoiding [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Management Scams** **Excerpt**: Outplacement and [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching scams are on the rise, targeting vulnerable professionals with fake promises. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) gives you the direct warning signs to spot a scammer before you hand over a dime. **Link**: **Can an Employer Track If You’ve Used The Same Resume/Cover Letter for Multiple [Jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/)?** **Excerpt**: Think your generic [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) are flying under the radar? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes how modern [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) and cross-company databases catch repetitive documents instantly. **Link**: **Stop [Applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) and Start Auditing** **Excerpt**: If your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) strategy consists of mass-clicking ‘Apply Now,’ you are failing. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains why you need to halt the submissions and audit your professional alignment first. **Link**: **[Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) [Red Flags](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-resistance-to-change/): We’re Like Family #shorts** **Excerpt**: When an interviewer tells you ‘we’re like a family here,’ run. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the toxic corporate boundary violations hidden behind this common phrase. **Link**: **[Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) Arbitrage: Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to Map Value Before You Message** **Excerpt**: Stop sending cold, useless [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) messages. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) reveals how to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to map out undeniable professional value before you ever hit send. **Link**: **The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Implementation Boom** **Excerpt**: Companies aren’t just playing with [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) anymore; they are embedding it. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how the implementation boom alters [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) profiles and what you must show to stay employable. **Link**: **How to Transition from Corporate to Nonprofit Without Losing Your Mind** **Excerpt:** Stop assuming your corporate “savior complex” will fix a nonprofit; it will only get you rejected. This episode breaks down the brutal reality of resource scarcity, the culture of consensus, and how to actually penetrate [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) of mission-driven work. **Link:** https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-transition-from-corporate-to-nonprofit-without-losing-your-mind/ **Small Firms, Big Impact** **Excerpt**: Big companies filter you out with walls of automation. Small and mid-sized firms need the systems and [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) expertise you already have. **Link**: **Stupid [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Spamming Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) #shorts** **Excerpt**: Spamming your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) rarely works and often backfires. **Link**: **How Do You Politely Decline Giving Someone a Reference?** **Excerpt**: Practical advice on how to politely say no when asked for a reference. **Link**: **What Are the Indicators of a Strong [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? #shorts** **Excerpt**: Quick insights on what makes a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) strong versus weak. **Link**: **The Illusion of the Formality [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** **Excerpt**: Think a late-stage [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) labeled as a “mere formality” means the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is guaranteed? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the hidden psychological traps of final rounds and how dropping your guard can unexpectedly disqualify you. **Link**: **Translating Responsibility into ROI** **Excerpt**: Listing passive responsibilities on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is actively holding you back. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to restructure your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullets to map your past duties directly to business return on investment (ROI). **Link**: **The Skills Needed to Find a Job #shorts** **Excerpt**: Being competent at your actual job is completely different from being competent at *finding* a job. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a swift reality check on the unique marketing and pipeline-building skills required to stay employable today. **Link**: **What Can You Do If Your [Application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is Always Rejected?** **Excerpt**: Getting hit by a wall of continuous automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/)? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) fields a listener Q&A to deliver clear alternatives to the traditional “apply online” loop when the algorithm locks you out. **Link**: **What Can You Do If Your [Application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is Always Rejected?** Excerpt: Getting hit by a wall of continuous automated [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/)? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) fields a listener Q&A to deliver clear alternatives to the traditional “apply online” loop when the algorithm locks you out. Link: **The Skills Needed to Find a Job #shorts** Excerpt: Being competent at your actual job is completely different from being competent at [finding a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a swift reality check on the unique marketing and pipeline-building skills required to stay employable today. Link: **Translating Responsibility into ROI** Excerpt: Listing passive responsibilities on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is actively holding you back. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to restructure your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullets to map your past duties directly to business return on investment (ROI). Link: **The Illusion of the Formality [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)** Excerpt: Think a late-stage [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) labeled as a “mere formality” means the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is guaranteed? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the hidden psychological traps of final rounds and how dropping your guard can unexpectedly disqualify you. Link: **9 Ways People Sabotage Themselves on [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/)** Excerpt: Candidates routinely destroy their own chances before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) even gets past the introductory stages. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) exposes the nine self-sabotaging habits—from poor active listening to subtle arrogance—that sink top talent. I’ll be releasing a new book this week on [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). It is a modernized ideas I used in my first book on the subject. Keep an eye out for my announcement later this week. This week, I referred to “onlyness” in the article., It comes from my book on the subject, “[ONLYNESS: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHSFRYB7).” $9.99 on Amazon. Understanding the concepts will help you avoid presenting your credentials like everyone else’s. **People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching** because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. ***If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.*** [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) ***Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podcasts.*** **\#BeGreat** ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff.** **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: May 24 2025 --- ### [Is it Rude to Ask for an Update on a Job Application? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-rude-to-ask-for-an-update-on-a-job-application-shorts-2/) **Published:** May 27, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I don't want to do the wrong thing. **Content:** # Is it Rude to Ask for an Update on a Job Application? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/ExFz56Ugid4) I don’t want to do the wrong thing. ***[One Important Key to Success](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gLY)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Trapped***](https://youtu.be/D1XYsxZJ5LM) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Applications, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Follow Up **Tags:** Is it Rude to Ask for an Update on a Job Application? --- ### [LinkedIn EasyApply #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/linkedin-easyapply-shorts/) **Published:** May 26, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** A jobhunter shared her thoughts about LinkedIn EasyApply. I agree. **Content:** # LinkedIn EasyApply #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/E3u_CpF5QVc) A jobhunter shared her [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) about [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [EasyApply](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-effective-is-the-easy-apply-button-on-most-job-sites/). I agree. [***10 LinkedIn Mistakes That Are Costing You Opportunities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cHH) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***LinkedIn Hates People Who Are Unemployed***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ku8) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn **Tags:** LinkedIn EasyApply --- ### [The Best Way to Proofread Your Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-best-way-to-proofread-your-resume/) **Published:** May 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # The Best Way to Proofread Your Resume **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** You know you have to proofread your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). What is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way. In this video, [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to proofread your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m referred to as [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff for organizations for 40 plus years. I wanted to give you some advice about proofreading your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Everyone thinks they do it. Everyone thinks their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) has no spelling or grammatical [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), no punctuation errors, no misused words. That I know is true because they wouldn’t be sending me [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) if they didn’t think their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) was right. But I read so many [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) that have [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) in them. Words that are incorrectly used: “your” and “there,” y-o-u-r, t-h-e-r-e, t-h-e-i-r, t-h-e-r-e. And I know most people could catch the difference, but sometimes the software jumps the word, no one notices, it gets through. Here’s my advice for proofreading. I know it’s a little quirky, but I know it’ll be effective. I want you to read your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) from the end to the beginning. Start with the last sentence. Read it. Is it correct? Is it grammatically correct? Is its spelling always correct? Good. Go to the next sentence up from that. Start at the end, work your way up to the beginning. Why I suggest that is for a couple of reasons. Number one is it’s the exact opposite of what you expect, so you’re going to see things freshly instead of the way that it was constructed. Habit also tells us that we start to skim when we see things in the familiar way. This is not a familiar way of doing things. And third, because frankly, I see more errors at the back end of the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) than I do at the beginning. It seems as though the later we get into the job history, the more likely it is that you’ll make a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) as you start rushing a little bit. So, start at the end, work your way up. Last sentence to first sentence of every section of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure there are no misused terms or misused words, and look for specific words that might be in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that if misspelled would also be correct. Now, I’ll give you an example, and again, this is old technology, but so often the word Novell, which was an IT term, N-O-V-E-L-L, would get misspelled as N-O-V-E-L or the word “novel.” Maybe someone’s keyboard stuck, and only one “l” came out. Whatever the reason was, that was a common misspelling. The software wouldn’t recognize it because “novel” is a word. Look for terms like that that might exist within your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) that if misspelled might get through the spell checker, and your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) won’t have those dumb errors that cause people like me and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers to go, “Huh? What was she thinking? What was he thinking?” So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I hope you found this helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button, just do something that communicates that you like this video. If we’re not already connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send me a connection request at [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/thebiggamehunter. So, this is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you have a great day. Take care. ***[Moms Returning to Work . . . And The Trades?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hcz)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the original host and creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in iTunes the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 14+ years.It is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Finding a New Job During an Economic Crisis***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-c34) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** the best way to proofread your resume --- ### [Do Employers Ask Weird Personal Questions for a Reason? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-employers-ask-weird-personal-questions-for-a-reason-shorts/) **Published:** May 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Do employers ask weird personal questions during interviews for a specific reason, or is it just for fun? **Content:** # Do Employers Ask Weird Personal Questions for a Reason? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/jnWubI8p32I) Do [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) ask weird personal questions during [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) for a specific reason, or is it just for fun? ***[Moms Returning to Work . . . And The Trades?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hcz)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the original host and creator of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) in iTunes the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 14+ years.It is also available on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Finding a New Job During an Economic Crisis***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-c34) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, Interviews **Tags:** Do Employers Ask Weird Personal Questions for a Reason --- ### [SURPRISED!! #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/surprised-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) **Published:** May 24, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This is a quote from Denis Waitley I think you will recognize. **Content:** # SURPRISED!! #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly***](https://youtube.com/shorts/AstvSqJip7E) This is a [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) from Denis Waitley I think you will recognize. ![Expect the best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Expect-the-best-1024x1024.png) ***[One Important Key to Success](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gLY)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. [***Trapped***](https://youtu.be/D1XYsxZJ5LM) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[For a Video Interview on a Laptop](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lrR)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Quotes **Tags:** Surprised! --- ### [Management vs Leadership #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/management-vs-leadership-careerangles-com-shorts/) **Published:** May 24, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This quote from Stephen Covey makes it clear what the difference is. **Content:** # Management vs Leadership **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***Click here if the video does not play properly.*** This [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) from Stephen Covey makes it clear what the difference is. [***How Can Leaders Manage Stress and Avoid Burnout?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kyW) *Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Leadership is about determining whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/career-coach-office-hours-september-7-2021-part-2-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[34 Resume Mistakes That Can Prove Deadly](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kb3)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Resume Follow Up Fails***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kky) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Leadership Betrayals***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hAM) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles, Leadership, No BS Management Advice **Tags:** Management versus leadership, Management vs Leadership --- ### [9 Ways People Sabotage Themselves on Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/9-ways-people-sabotage-themselves-on-interviews-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** In this interview with Job Search and Interview Coach, Thea Kelley we have fun talking about some of those stupid/goofy/ridiculous mistakes people make on interviews. **Content:** # 9 Ways People Sabotage Themselves on Interviews ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** In this [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Coach, Thea Kelley we have fun talking about some of those stupid/goofy/ridiculous [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). ***[Stupid Interview Mistakes: Overthinking Your Resume](https://youtu.be/kL1Bd8NnZFU)*** Yeah, yeah, a little bit more of a pad at the beginning of the video. Hi, this is Jeff Hopp, the Big-Game Hunter. And you’re either watching [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV or listening to this No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice. That’s a call that No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. Every once in a while, I mess up the intro. I’d like to spend some time daily providing great information about [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I frankly believe it doesn’t have to be that hard, difficult, painful, or take as long as it does. It’s just [the skills they need to find a job ](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-skills-needed-to-find-a-job-shorts/)are different than those needed to do a job. And for those of you who’ve been with me for a while, you’ve noticed that periodically what I’m doing this year is bringing in guests to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) them about [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and different elements. And today, Thea Kelley tonight, he is a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) coach based in San from the San Francisco Bay Area, working with job hunters nationwide. She has a book out, it’s an Amazon bestseller called, “Get That Job: The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/),” that was hailed as excellent on Forbes.com. Now she’s gonna have a couple of promos for you at the end of the show. If there’s a point where you go, “I’ve got to go do something else,” forward to the end, pick up the information from her about how to subscribe, how to get some of the gifts that she has. So this way, you know, moves out the Welcome. Yes, we had such a nice time chatting about the show a while back when we were planning it, so I’m really jazzed to be here talking with you again. And we’re gonna have another good time today. How did she become a coach? How did you wind up going into this field? Well, back at the beginning of the big recession in 2008, I was working as a corporate trainer and I got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/). And before that, I had had been working with job seekers before in various other [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), but at some point, I wound up as a corporate trainer. I got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) because it was a real estate related business and I feel like I’m going too long anyway. To keep me going while I was looking for a job, I started writing some [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and then I thought, “Well, I like this a lot better than I liked my job. I’m just gonna keep doing this.” And so it’s been, gosh, ten years I’ve been in my own business now, and there were like another ten years before that that I was working with various agencies like Lee Hecht Harrison and Jewish Vocational Services and stuff like that. Cool. And today we’re going to be talking about ways that people shoot themselves in the foot on their [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), because Lord knows I’ve seen a million times and I’ve gotten the debriefs after someone does an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I was still doing search, and I’m hearing all the stories from people for my, my clients that were telling me about what this imbecile did, and we’ve all been that imbecile at one time or another. I was never [20 years](https://thebiggamehunter.us/20-years-from-now-nobscoachingadvice-com-shorts/) old. What they do for a job? Perfect. So let’s talk about some of the ways that people shoot themselves in the foot. What’s the first one we’re going to talk about? Well, let’s start with money, Jeff. Oh, money. So don’t throw it away. And there is, there are a couple ways that people throw money away in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And the first thing they do that really messes it up is destroying their negotiating position by not having a good answer to the question, “What are your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) expectations?” And that’s one of the first questions they hit us very often. That happens in the phone screening, right? And that’s when this beginning the negotiation, right? And job hunters don’t recognize that. No, they don’t. So when you’re asked about your expectations, the first thing you want to do is put it back on them and say, “Can you tell me what the range is that’s budgeted for the position?” And in certain states, they’re legally required to tell you, although don’t get hung up on that because if they forget what the law is, you don’t want to confront them about it. But usually, a lot of times, they will tell you the range. Then what you want to do is not commit to that range, but sound generally positive. So you say, “That sounds like a good ballpark and I’m sure that once we decide this is a fit, we’re gonna be able to agree on a compensation package that’s fair.” Excellent. And and I know I’m an East Coast guy, I came out of New York area where the law is, you can’t ask the question about current compensation. And a lot of firms in the New York area have, whether they’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) someone in New York or [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) someone in Iowa, they’ve all stopped asking the question about current compensation. Yes. His phone numbers, which used to be one of the determinants of where someone lives, aren’t valid anymore because we all Nobel funds, right? And I hope that they won’t ask you that question, but if they do, again, you want to sort of switch it back to, “Well, I, we’re just getting started now. You’re learning about me, I’m learning about the position. Can I ask you what is the range for the position?” If you haven’t already asked that. And then give the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) ballpark answer. Now, if they happen to come back with, “Well, we don’t really have a range,” or “You know what, I’m really looking for is what you want,” or they somehow dodged the question, then a good way to answer that is to say something like, “Well, I’ve been looking around online. I’ve been talking to people and I’m seeing salaries anywhere from blank to blank.” And give them a well researched and fairly broad range, but then go on to say, “And I’m sure that once we agree this is a fit, we’ll be able to agree on something that’s fair.” So you notice even in giving them a range, you’re not saying, “I expect something in this range.” You’re just saying, “This is what I’m seeing out there and I’m sure we’ll be able to agree on something that’s fair.” We have to say something more specific, and I’m wondering if you might just hit in a phrase along the lines of, “What I’m looking at that low end of the range, I’m seeing people more junior than myself. So I don’t see myself as being a low end of a range kind of woman, a low end of the range kind of guy. I see myself more at mid to upper level of this, and we can, as you said, sort that out as we go further along.” Yeah, that’s a very good idea. Yeah, because that closes off them saying all, “One fifty, two, two and a quarter. We can get him for one fifty.” Okay. Absolutely. Good, good. Or, you know, don’t even tell them that low end that you saw that wouldn’t work for you is, so either or both of those approaches. And by the way, one of the free gifts that you mentioned, Jeff, is a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), “How to answer the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) question” infographic. So it just walks you through what I just said about what to say if they say this, what to say if they say that. Excellent, excellent. Got that commercial in, did you? Well, you know, it’s got tools. They can get, you know, it’s really handy to have these little tools like that. You betcha. So we’ve covered the first one of our nine ways. Yes. So what’s number two? Okay, number two is, don’t give standard answers that you heard on on a podcast or saw online. So anything I tell today, don’t go, “Oh, that’s exactly what I’m gonna say.” Maybe with the exception of the, the what, what are you looking for [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) wise? That one you can be a little formulaic, but the questions that are really about you, never just give an answer because you found it on in line and it sounds good. You want to really be authentic and at the same time strategic. And authentic and strategic are what I call the yin and yang of a good [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). You’ve got to be real, you got to be yourself, but you want to be your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) self and you want to be proactively selling yourself for the job. And I think one thing that really helps you be authentic is if you’ve tried to figure out how you would answer a certain question, start with what I call the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend answer. Go ahead and start, you know, think of it not in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), but ahead of time, say out loud what you would say if you were just telling your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) friend the answer. And then look at what you said and kind of edit it, polish it, strategize a little bit, but start from that actual core of what it really is for you and just saying in a way that conveys sincerity. Alright? Because one of the things that firms evaluate for, particularly the more, more senior you are, are the emotional intelligence qualities. And thus, the idea that you want to sound sincere, right? What are the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) ways to sound sincere is to be sincere, right? If you go in and you’re very phony, they’re not gonna trust you. They’re gonna be like, “I can’t put my finger on it, but I just don’t know who that guy is.” I just don’t feel comfortable. And they know how to smell BS because they’ve smelled that way too many times. No BS [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). Hey Teej ik, yeah, it’s funny. And you know, on the one hand, there’s the idea of being authentic. Yeah. And on the other side, what was the other part of that? And be never why you’re there. You’re not there to chitchat and smooch, you’re there to make it very clear why you’re gonna do a great job in that job. Super. So we’ve got the money questions so far. We’ve got the authentic versus strategic scenario, how to convey yourself well and answering questions. What’s number three? Okay, three is don’t shoot yourself in the foot when you’re asked a question about some kind of negative or sensitive subject, mainly negative subjects. These would like, “I hate my boss,” you’re not going to say that, right? And sometimes they’ll even ask, “Tell me about your past boss,” or “What, what was your past boss? Well, what were his or her greatest strengths and weaknesses?” And that’s when you have to remember that every question is an opportunity for you to sell yourself for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And so you, I have an ABCI tool I just made up this morning preparing for this. Yeah. With regard to negative questions, you want to do ABC. A is analyze. So why are they asking this? What are they trying to learn about you? So let’s say they’ve asked, you know, “What are the [strengths](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-what-are-your-greatest-strengths/) and weaknesses of your previous boss?” What they’re looking for here is, are you discreet? Did you have a good relationship with your boss? Are you able to work well with a variety of different personalities? They’re looking for emotional intelligence here. And so your answer would be, say something positive about your boss. Even if they’re a terrible boss, chances are there is something positive you can say. Let’s say you had a boss who micromanaged you to pieces and had a tendency to yell now and then. You could say, “My boss was very passionate about his work and about excellence, and I really wouldn’t want to go to what is, what his weaknesses were. That’s not for me to say. But we were able to do some great work together, and I’m looking forward to talking about some of the things that we achieved.” Sweet. Nice way to dance off the weaknesses, right? So that was the A, you analyze, what are they trying to find out here and address it. B is brevity. Anytime you need to say anything about anything negative, now in this answer, you didn’t even say anything negative because it’s about somebody else. But let’s say the question is, “What are your weaknesses?” Or let’s say the question is, “Why have you been unemployed for the last year?” Okay, you’re being on unemployed for the last year or having a gap in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or not having a certain skill or experience that they are hoping you have, that is a negative. So when you talk about the negative part of it, keep it super brief. So don’t be like, you know, how big story about why you haven’t worked in a year. Make it just something very brief, like, “50 positions were eliminated from my company and one of them was mine. And after taking care of some personal business and also taking some long awaited time off to go see the world, I started looking for not just any job, but the right job.” So yes, you know, you are admitting the negative, which is that you were [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), but you’re keeping that part super brief and going into positives. So keep it brief and I was gonna get to see unless you manage, okay? ‘Cause I’m trying to keep it brief. C is circle the negatives with positives. And I was doing that in the examples I gave also. Yeah. I was gonna say surround them with positives, but I wanted to make it a C, right? I don’t know which of these is correct for you out there and play. Okay. C for certain circle, circle those negatives with positives. So for instance, if they ask you, “What are your weaknesses?” you might say, “While I am very, very good at X, it’s like the main part of the job. I am currently working on building up my skills in Y, the part that you’re a little weak on. And here’s what I’m doing about that in Z.” And that’s again going back to positives. So ABC: Analyze what they’re looking for, B, keep it brief, and C, circle it with positives. And I’m a believer in most answers to questions should be kept to about a minute to a minute and 15. I agree. Attention span. We live in an ADHD culture and, you know, one listens for very long. As such, the goal is if you can keep it to a minute, minute 15 in total, and especially on a negative topic, witnesses, an invitation to criticize, 40 seconds because that gets you off the hook faster or less. Yeah, yeah. We’ve got three covered. What’s number four? Oh yeah, so speaking of being brief, don’t be a rambling man or a rambling woman. That may be fine for an Allman Brothers song, but it’s a good [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). So this is one of the most common problems that people come to me with as an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) coach. Almost everybody tends to wander a little. And so first thing is have a little bit of a plan about how you’re gonna answer any common question that you can anticipate they’re gonna ask. If you know that you’re gonna need to mention this, that and the other thing, having mapped out what those three things are and kind of gotten that in your head, then when they ask the question, you know, just hit those three things and don’t wander off into other stuff. Another way is if you do find that you’re wandering in your answer and that it’s getting long, just stop yourself at some point and say, “But I’m getting too much in the weeds here. Long story short is,” Or, “To get to the essence of it.” Feel free to interrupt yourself like that and then just get right to the point. And if I could give one more tip on being brief, know how you’re gonna end your answers. A lot of times people have trouble ending an answer because they’re like, “What do I say at the end? Do I just like stop?” No. It’s you want to have an ending like where you either [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) back to the question, blahdy blahdy blahdy blah, and so that’s, I think, my greatest accomplishment at my [current role](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-recurring-problem-did-you-have-in-a-previous-or-your-current-role-that-you-didnt-resolve/). My version is I signal, I teach people to signal the end of the answer. I think of the way most people speak is having a musical tone. So it’s funny, I was listening for your version of this. It’s the slight downward note. Yeah. So, so the classic criticism of the valley girl is that everything ended in an up. And there are people who just talk that way, and you don’t want to do that because it makes us sound like you do, you’re just not really very sure of yourself, right? And that’s how it gets interpreted whether true or not. Has you heard me, and true or not, I went in a downward note. And that’s often the signal to people, at the end, the answer is done with. There you go. And one more thing on that, we can, you can [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) back to the question to kind of wrap it up, or another thing, you can [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) forward to if you were to join their company. So you can say, “And that is my greatest accomplishment at my current role. And I wonder if you maybe have a project involving blah-dee-blah that I just spoke about.” Sweet. You can. Yeah, yeah, ’cause the idea where every Spanish to tie the bow with what they need. Yeah. And to just check in with them to make sure that this was something that they were, that they could use, right? And so all the things we just talked about, by the way, are things that you need to not just hear once and then go to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). You need to practice doing these things, either with a friend or on your own or with a coach, you know, so that you’ve got the experience of wrapping up an answer or using the downward. It’s funny, one of the things I tell job hunters is great athletes all practice. Right. Steph practices, he’s on the court seven days a week. LeBron is on the court seven days a week. And great entertainers on rehearse, and job hunters go on [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and the first time the words ever come out of their mouth are at the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), and they wonder why they don’t deliver. And another thing those people do that most people don’t realize is they do also mental practice. They, they don’t just go out and practice on the court with a real basketball. They will also practice in their mind shooting the ideal, very difficult shot that maybe they have trouble with and doing it perfectly. And that way, their programming themself to do that thing perfectly. She’ll think about that, imagine before your [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), imagine the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and imagine it all going really well, just the way you want it to. Imagine being calm and confident and you’d be surprised what a different second mental tennis. I remember that. Yeah, yeah. Jim Galloway, “The Inner Game of Tennis.” Yeah. With me too. Was that number four? Number five that we just did? That was four. That’s what I thought. Number five, number five is a biggie, and even though I’m burying it in the whole middle there, it’s a biggie. And that is, be proactive about your messaging. Don’t just go to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and hope they’ll ask you the right questions. You have to go there knowing what it is you especially want to get across and what you especially want to get across part of it is what’s unique and special about you. So you need to somehow identify what are your, what I call key selling points or your [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/)? What is it about you that’s gonna make you stand out from the other people? And that can be a hard thing to figure out. And I actually, the first chapter of my [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) book is about that. And one of the free gifts is a free report on how to figure out what makes you stand out and emphasize that in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And one way that you emphasize it, by the way, in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is by making sure that your answer to that very first question, that “Tell me about yourself,” or “Walk me through your background,” or even, “Why are you interested in this job?” Your answer needs to bring out the top two or three, or maybe four things about you that make you stand out from the competition. Nice. I know the way I coach people is I work with the assumption most job descriptions are 80% accurate because what usually happens is someone gives notice in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager calls to HR and says, “You got that job description we use to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) Thea?” Yes, she just gave notice. Could you get that out to, you know, there are sources right now and see what we can turn up? And no one ever updates. I’ve confirmed there’s so many times with different people I’ve coached. So the first thing they tell people to do is to say, “Hey, thanks so much for reaching out to me. You know, I recall the position description,” or, “I’m curious why you reached out to me. Could you give me a sense of the role and what I can do to help?” So you can hear the thinking about the job. And thus, when they say, “Tell me about yourself and what you’ve been doing,” or, “Walk you through your background,” what they’re able to do is start off with what I’ve considered the 20-second synopsis of their experience. “I’ve been in the field now for X number of years. For the last five years, I’ve worked for so-and-so. This is that, for that work for so-and-so, doing this. But what’s probably most relevant in my background for this role, right, is my experience with…” Right? [People tell](https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-you-have-to-tell-people-where-youre-going-shorts/) me in person when they use that phrase, it’s like they noticed like a dog’s ears perk up. They have the Scooby ears. Those of you are too young to be relevant to Scooby-Doo cartoon character, Scooby would wind up… I think, I think that that’s, that’s just become part of the culture. You know, you don’t have to have actually watched Scooby-Doo cartoons. Just making sure. So the idea is as quickly as possible to tie the bow to show how you’re special. That’s very true. And to sort of bring together what I said and what you said, you need to know what’s special about you and you need to know what they’re looking for and find the common elements between the two. And that question of, you know, “What are you really looking for? What’s your top priority for the job?” You want to answer, ask that before they and get the chance to say, “Tell me about yourself.” So try to slip that in right about when the small talk is drawing to a close and say, “Well, thank you very much for inviting me to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and I wonder if I could ask you a quick question before we start.” And then you asked that question that you just mentioned, Jeff, about, you know, “Can you tell me a little bit more about what’s really most important in this role,” or, “I’ve read the job description, but I just want to give, in your own words, you could tell me what, what do you really need?” So yeah, those things very important. As I said, we have a lot of common approaches even though we’re on opposite coasts. Number six, I believe it is. Thanks. Number six. Oh, yes, a related point is, don’t wait till the end to ask questions. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and by which I mean the ones most likely to get you the job, are the ones that turn into a conversation rather than simply being a question, answer, question, answer, sort of interrogation, because a conversation is so much more comfortable for both parties and so everybody gets to shine a little more and show a little more of who they really are. So here’s some examples. First of all, that question before things even start. Then another thing is, when you’re asked a question that you could give a better answer if you knew a little bit more about the background of the question. So try asking them, saying, “I’d love to answer that, and before I do, I wonder if I could ask you, are you more interested in the X aspect or the Y or can you tell me a little bit about what that looks like here in this company?” And then their answer’s gonna probably help you be able to give a much better answer. Excellent. Yeah. And and so that helps them turn it into more of a conversation or or you could at the end of your answer, you could say, “I’ll go ahead and answer it,” and then say, “Is there anything more you’d like to know about that?” or, “How does that relate to how you do things here?” or, “I read online that that you do blah blah blah in this, this particular methodology, and I’m wondering how that relates to what I just said,” or something like that. Yeah, the idea is to get them talking, get a dialogue, because if if they are sitting up high on on the Christian looking down is the Sultan or I’m not sure what a female Sultan would be called. I don’t know either. There weren’t any. I’m not aware of female Sultans. I just knew about Sultans. If they’re sitting up high on the pillow looking down upon and the supplicant was power differential, and the idea is to level the playing field as much as you can. Try going into conversation because suddenly there’s a point where the more they start talking, you’ll notice they’re liking you more. Yeah, yeah. And and and asking good questions is a skill and they will be, and it makes you, it shows that you’re interested, shows that you really, you want to know all about the company, you want to learn. You know, they may remember that you ask good questions more than they even remember what your answers were. Agreed. Yes. Number seven. We’re up to number seven. Yeah. Seven: be specific. So one of the most common problems that I hear in the people that I work with is being vague, giving answers that are generalities. So when they’re asked about their experience doing this or that, you know, they talk very high level or when they’re asked, “What’s your approach to doing something?” They’ll say, “My approach is,” but they don’t [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) an example. So one of the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) ways to be expense specific is to add examples. Quantities are also valuable if you can. When you’re talking about what you did, talk about the [results and quantify](https://thebiggamehunter.us/unable-to-quantify-results-or-impact-for-your-resume-shorts/) the results, because if you say that I came up, implemented Salesforce at our company and that really improved efficiency or improved sales, well, do you mean just a teeny bit? What do you mean a lot? You know, so try to give an approximate number. Honestly, this is another one of things where you want to be authentic. Don’t make something up if you really don’t have the number. Then describe it with an adjective instead. Dramatically, or significantly, or by pretty good amount. Or, you know, just at least give a sense of how much. And stories, money saved, money earned, percentage improvement. If you’re in a role that can’t be quantified in in those ways, Paulson was always my classic example of this, and I [handled 14% more calls than comparable people in my office](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-you-handle-office-politics/). Right. Yeah. Numerical measure because business is the language of numbers. It is, it is. And and then if you, if you’re like an HR, for instance, sometimes numbers don’t always come into your work. Try and give instead [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) anecdotal, make maybe [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) somebody, like do you remember something really powerful that the CEO said to you about your initiatives? Did he say, “This is the transformation I’ve been trying to make happen for the past 10 years. Thank you for doing this.” You know, you could literally [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) that and it really makes your answer more specific and interesting and memorable. Excellent. Yeah. What are we up to now? Is it eight? Okay, eight. Yeah, be ready to prove your, your soft skills and your emotional intelligence. So, so many of the other things you’re gonna talk about in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) are technical skills of one sort or another. It’s how to do the job, you know, how to manage the project, how to write the code, how to add up the figures. But they’re also looking for somebody who has good emotional intelligence, and this means things like self-awareness, social skills, communication skills, empathy. So there’s no use claiming these things. There’s no use to saying, “I have a little pathetic person.” Yeah, anybody can say that. Everybody thinks that about themselves. So when it comes to things like that, you need to kind of prove it. One way you can prove it is by demonstrating it on the spot by showing empathy toward everybody you run into in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And that doesn’t mean getting all mushy gushy about it, you know, if the person says, “Oh, I’m having a hectic day,” you don’t need to say, “Oh, is that hard for you?” You’re not being a therapist. But you do need to say, but if they say they’re having a crazy day, you could say, “Oh, I know, but you said it seems like you’re keeping on top of it, huh?” Or, “Whoa, that sounds challenging.” Just a simple little thing that shows you’re listening. Empathy can also be a matter of being patient when there’s an interruption, especially, you know, when you’re at the front desk and you’re first arriving there and the receptionist is too busy to immediately get to you. You know, bye-bye looking relaxed about it and realizing, “Hey, she’s got a lot on her hands right now,” or, “He has a lot on his hands.” They’re gonna get a good vibe about you, and really, it counts what everybody in the place thinks about you, because you never [know who the interview is gonna ask](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-ace-any-interview-by-knowing-interview-questions-to-ask-and-answer/), you know, “What you think of that person?” I’ve had clients ask the driver who, who brings someone from the airport for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Beth the receptionist, when I used to do a lot of work on Wall Street, it used to be the shoeshine guy. He’d come around and shine everyone’s shoes in the trading floor. “You know, what do you think of that guy?” Because they were looking for how they treated people. Like, there’s one video I did call “The Waiter Test,” and if you’re out for a meal with someone who’s going to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), it’s, it’s observing how they deal with the waiter. Right. And yet, if you’re obsequious about it and you’re obviously you’re obviously doing it, It’s obviously not usual for you to be nice to the waiter, then it’s gonna come across kind of phony. So instead of going from, “How is this looking?” go from, just go from your heart and go from a place of actually trying to appreciate and respect everybody around you for real. And it works out so much better. Authentic care works wonders. And as Groucho said, “If you can fake hearing, you can make anyone convinced.” Yeah. School of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). One more way, by the way, a couple more ways to show these the some intangible soft skills. It’s not just also you also to have social proof for them. So things like teamwork are getting along well with people or communication skills. Don’t wait until they check your references because they’re never gonna check your references if they don’t like what they saw in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and before of that. So I always tell people, you have [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) recommendations. They’ll see that before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), they’ll already have that in their mind. And sometimes you could even slip in a reference to it. You know, you could say, “I have been told I’m very empathetic. You may have noticed that in my [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile.” Go easy on that. But and one more, one more way you can demonstrate intangible things like emotional intelligence and communication skills is by having stories about it. So a good [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) story or a conflict resolution story can show your people skills and and you don’t necessarily have to wait till they ask for it. It could come up. Oh, but they almost always will ask the people skills and the conflict resolution kind of questions, especially on leadership roles. Yeah. Often what I coach people for is PAR because they’ve heard of the STAR acronym, but I don’t believe in STAR for more senior people. I like SOAR. SOAR with the T being substituted for an O for objective, situation, objective, action, and result. And the idea becomes it contextualizes it a little bit more for a staff person. STAR’s perfect. More senior person, SOAR works better. Or if you can’t remember it, PAR, which is the simplest one, problem, action, results. Yeah, that’s really the heart of it. The other things are interesting refinements. You might want to sometimes look up these things. Yeah, I, I wrote a blog post about STAR versus SOAR. I use SOAR in my book. My version of it is situation, obstacles, actions, results, just to bring out the fact that if you’re saying here was the problem and here’s how I solved it, here’s the result, We may not realize that there was this huge thing that got in the way that made it even harder than it sounds. Maybe you should mention, but yeah, [objectives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-resumes-2/) is good too, to identify, you know, “Here’s what I was trying to accomplish.” Yeah, if I got to write about what that was about, you’re absolutely right. And everything works as long as you haven’t mapped that in your mind into a framework. You don’t have to memorize these things, you just have to have a sense because it’s your life, you should be able to talk about it. But to me again, a minute 15 is as much as you can have an attention span for. And thus from the, if you want to go to more detail for you, exactly, that was gonna be one of my suggestions about how to keep things short is to make it too short and then say, “Well, and that was just really brief, would you like me to say more about anything?” But you would talk about this SOAR thing. That’s important. And I mentioned stories earlier and I didn’t say much about it. And one of the biggest things to remember about stories, the thing a lot of people get wrong is they’ll say, “Well, this was the problem and here’s what I did,” but you’ve left out what difference did that make? What was the impact of that? How did that benefit the company? And that’s the juicy part. That’s the part you really want to say a lot about. Like, like you said, Jeff, you want to quantify what that meant in terms of four percentage of efficiency or in terms of dollars. You want to maybe [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) what somebody said about it. Don’t shortchange the R in PAR or SOAR or STAR or whatever. It’s that R that’s really super important. Remember the power R. All right, maybe they’ll help you remember. Okay, number nine. Number nine: prepare in advance. Yes. And people don’t do this. And I’m not sure like, and they wait until an in-person [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is scheduled, but by that point, they may have already goofed up the phone screening. Realize that as soon as you put yourself in [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) and maybe even before, but as soon as you apply to any job, you never know when you’re gonna get that phone call somebody saying, “Do you have a few minutes to chat?” Please realize that that chat is an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Any conversation with somebody of Potential job is an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). And you need to have to worked out in advance a lot of these things we’re talking about. So yeah, don’t wait. You ready for me? The first session I do with anyone I coach is my [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) framework. And the idea becomes I want them to have time to practice. And you know, we do a mock [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Second, that’s fine. They could do it with a husband, wife, or partner afterwards. They don’t need the mock. And they just go through some basic questions as long as the words come out of their mouth and they’re not just thinking the answer. You are so right. Our approach is so similar because what I usually do with clients is have a first meeting where we talk about what you might call the framework, the key stuff, what are your key selling points, how are you gonna answer, “Tell me about yourself,” in the most strategic way, we’re getting your stories ready. And then I let them go away with that and to on then think about it because it takes like about a week to prepare all that. And then we get back together, look at that again a little bit and then go on to the [mock interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/google-has-a-free-mock-interview-service-jobsearchtv-com/). So don’t think that getting [ready for an interview is an overnight thing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-one-thing-you-need-to-do-while-in-school-to-get-ready-for-interviews-a-job-jobsearchtv-com/). Give yourself at least a week to prepare for it. I meant making [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) offline. Practice with someone. Yeah, and get [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Get [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). And, you know, I like doing my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) by video because I can record this session and send it to them afterwards through Zoom. So they can [see the same things](https://thebiggamehunter.us/we-all-see-things-through-our-own-lenses-nobscoachingadvice-com/) I’m seeing. Yeah. I can critique them. “Oh, that’s why he said that.” Oh, because you had no idea what your habits are like and what your gestures were like, yours for life. That either can be too flamboyant, too dramatic, or, you know, code yourself with the mannerism. Right, right. Or maybe you’re never smiling and you’re just coming off kind of flat, you know, and the excitement isn’t coming across and the interpersonal thing isn’t coming across. So you need to see that and realize that. Exactly right. So we’ve covered nine major points here. Yes, we. Any surprises? Any any bonus round after this? I’m just curious. Oh, I tried so [hard to work](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hard-work-career-angles/) at all into nine. We didn’t really say anything about clothes or whatnot. I think a lot of people already know that, but just a quickie about that is ask the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) when they first call you and set up the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to ask, “What do people generally wear on the job there?” I know different offices have a different culture and different habits, and what would you suggest I wear to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? And then another good rule of thumb is for the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), dress one level up from how you dress to do the job. So if you are looking at a Silicon Valley job, something like that way you’d be going in in in jeans and t-shirt and flip-flops, then you don’t want to wear a suit to the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), but you don’t want to wear jeans and flip-flops either. You want to go in in nice slacks and, you know, a shirt that is not a band t-shirt and nice pair of shoes that are preferably not athletic shoes or sandals, you know, so just just a level up from where you would on the job. And for video and, you know, for video, I always tell people, take a look behind you where you’re going to be for the video. Notice what’s there. Someone I was [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) recently, he’s got the cross trainer in the room where he does the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Were you planning on that staying there? That’s an exercise machine, right? Yeah. And the distracting. Yeah, it’s like, “What is that thing?” Yeah. And anything that takes someone away from their attention on you is it a liability. It can a, what to wear. It could be how you speak, it can be, you know, anything around you on video and of course in an in-person [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Right. And it’s easy to get irritated about all this. I understand that. It’s really easy to feel like, “My God, why are they examining every last little thing about me?” And I understand that. And, you know, you just put yourself on the other side of it and realize that when you first meet somebody, don’t, You decide within seconds kind of what your vibe about them is, how you feel about them. And that’s what’s going on there and then some because interviewers are always a little scared in a way. Even if they’re not emotionally scared, they’re kind of institutionally scared because they know that if they [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) the wrong person, it could end up costing them something like, I think, a third of the first year’s [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) to to get that person out and bring a new person in. So they’re a little paranoid and that’s why you need to be very careful with them. It’s so true. They are. You know, whether you’re an HR or a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager, it’s like the candidate is a reflection of the parent. So with HR, you send it to a line manager. It’s like bringing your eight-year-old over to visit someone’s home. Right. Yes. So for HR, they bring it to the heart. “Why did you really thought I’d be interested in this person, huh?” And to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager who statistics say within 18 months has buyer’s remorse on more than 50% of the people. Of a hundred in that brutal statistic. I didn’t know is that bad. Yes, it is that bad. But they like going into marriage, they all have that hope that it’s going to end up in a permanent relationship and they want to feel as though if they brought you to a meeting with their boss, you dress like well on them. So there are lots of little things that like doctors do to screen out [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers. HR people do to screen out so they can filter down to the core elements. See, this has been fun. Yeah, likewise. Thank you. How could people find out more about you and the work that you do, the free gift, the website, all that kind of stuff? Okay. I have a blog, it’s for job seekers, a helpful tip article at least once a week. It’s called Great Job Sooner.com. Great Job Sooner. That’s what everybody wants, right? And if you go there and you subscribe, it promises you a free report on how to stand out in the [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). And that was what I mentioned about identifying your key selling points and whatnot. What it doesn’t yet say is that there’s two other free gifts as well. Oh, you can also get, like we said, the how to answer the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) question infographic and a negotiation template that it’s like a worksheet that enables you to plan out your negotiation, meeting what you’re gonna bring up with them, you know, what you’re gonna say after they’ve made their counteroffer. It’s not something to bring in the meeting and look at this list, but it’s something to help you prepare so that you know what you’re doing. So you can get all those at Great Job Sooner.com. And there’s also a button there you can click to get a free consultation if you’d like to talk with me about my [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) services or my services to help you with your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strategy, just about any aspect of your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I would like to help. Super. And folks, we’ll be back soon with someone else with more information, a lot more to help you. I’m [Jeff Altman The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/learning-no-bs-job-search-advice-from-the-big-game-hunter-jeff-altman/). And as it’s the case with Thea, if you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), visit my site, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/).us. There’s a button on the homepage that says “Schedule.” You can schedule a free discovery call with me or dive right into [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), whatever serves you [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). And I’ve got thousands of posts there that you can watch, listen to, or read that’ll help you. Read those, watch them. Yep. There’s a ton, it’s like more than 7,000. And now learn is right now, if you have a an Amazon product, a Fire TV, Fire Stick attached to your TV, what have you, you can download the [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) TV app and watch my videos there and learn in that milieu as well. So I hope you found this helpful. I’ll be back soon with more. In the meantime, hope you have a great day. Be great. See ya. Welcome. And let me just stop by asking, how did you get into this [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) work? Well, Jeff, back in 2008 when the Great Recession started, I was a corporate trainer, and I was [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) as part of a big reduction in force at my company. And prior to that, I had had some physicians working with various agencies that helped people get [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/). So drawing on that previous experience and my interest in that, I started writing a few [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). And very soon, I began to realize, “I really like this better than I was liking that corporate [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) job. I’m just gonna continue doing this.” And so I hung out my own shingle, and I’ve been doing this ever since, writing [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/), helping people with [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) strategy. ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** 9 Ways People Sabotage Themselves on Interviews, interview mistakes, Sabotaging yourself on interviews, Shooting yourself in the foot on interviews, Stupid Interview Mistakes --- ### [The Skills Needed to Find a Job #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-skills-needed-to-find-a-job-shorts/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** You need more than competence to land a job. **Content:** # The Skills Needed to Find a Job #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/aFIKVlrHPh0) You need more than competence to land a job. ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** The Skills Needed to Find a Job --- ### [What Can You Do If Your Application is Always Rejected?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-can-you-do-if-your-application-is-always-rejected/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What can you do if your application was rejected more than 1,000+ times for work? **Content:** # What Can You Do If Your Application is Always Rejected? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/vMyT1qE4wjg) What can you do if your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) was rejected more than 1,000+ times for work? ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)advice about resolving workplace issues. I’ve simplified my job-hunting content at [JobSearch.Community](https://JobSearch.Community). By becoming an Insider, you get access to all my video courses, books and guides plus can ask questions and receive a response within 24 hours. Become an Insider+ member and you receive access to everything I’ve mentioned PLUS schedule 2 Zoom calls per month with me. Become an Insider Premium member and you’ll receive everything I’ve already mentioned PLUS we’ll do group or individual [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *Schedule a Strategic Advisory call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Rejection **Tags:** What Can You Do If Your Application is Always Rejected? --- ### [Translating Responsibility into ROI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/translating-responsibility-into-roi/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The market pays a baseline rate for execution, but it pays a premium for stewardship. **Content:** # **Translating Responsibility into ROI** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The traditional [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) framework is a structural liability. Most experienced professionals write their history as a biography–a dense list of duties, scopes, and functional responsibilities. This approach frames [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) through an employee mindset. To command authority at the highest tier, you must treat your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as an **investment prospectus**. When a board or a chief executive reviews your profile, they are not looking to buy your past time; they are looking to allocate capital to an asset that yields a predictable return. If your documentation focuses on what you were “responsible for” rather than how you deployed corporate resources to drive enterprise value, you are being viewed as an administrative cost, not an operational lever. 1. **The Core Shift: Responsibility vs. Allocation** The market pays a baseline rate for execution, but it pays a premium for **stewardship**. Responsibility is passive; it describes the boundaries of your playground. Capital allocation is active; it metrics how effectively you used cash, headcount, and technology to alter the trajectory of the business. \[The Executive Framing Shift\] Legacy Framework (Cost Center): –> The Allocation Framework (Asset): “Responsible for a $5M budget.” –> “Allocated $5M to optimize infrastructure, yielding a 22% reduction in OPEX.” - **The Legacy Approach:** *“Managed a global marketing budget of $12M and led a team of 45 cross-functional professionals.”* This tells the reader you cost the company money and headcount, but fails to justify the expense. - **The Allocation Approach:** *“Allocated a $12M global marketing budget across high-velocity digital channels and optimized a 45-person matrix organization to drive a 34% increase in customer lifetime value (LTV) while reducing acquisition costs by 18%.”* 2. **The Architecture of the Investment Thesis** The first half-page of your document dictates the lens through which the rest of your history is evaluated. If it begins with a generic summary full of corporate BS, like “visionary leader with excellent communication skills,” the reader’s brain flags it as low-signal white noise. - **The Strategy:** Replace the summary with a clinical, three-sentence **Investment Thesis** that defines your precise market utility. - **The Formula:** State your target ecosystem, the primary macro friction point you resolve, and the historic financial or operational velocity you generate. - **The Execution:** *“Operational leader specializing in post-merger integration within the enterprise software sector. Known for identifying hidden redundancies and restructuring legacy infrastructure to protect margin integrity. Historic track record delivers an average of 14% EBITDA expansion within the first 18 months of acquisition.”* 3. **Bullet Point Re-Engineering: The ROI Anchor** Every single bullet point under your professional chronology must function as a micro-case study. If a point does not connect a specific tactical action to a macroeconomic or structural result, it must be deleted. To achieve this, use a rigid mathematical balance in your text: **\[Action Verb\] + \[Context/Friction\] + \[Skill/Tool Applied\] = \[Quantifiable Scalar Outcome\]**. - **Step 1 (Identify the Drag):** Locate a time when the business was losing efficiency, capital, or market velocity. - **Step 2 (The Allocation Metric):** Define the exact resource you deployed (capital, time, or human engineering) to solve it. - **Step 3 (The ROI Yield):** Calculate the net-positive result to the balance sheet. Instead of stating you “helped clean up data,” write: *“Re-engineered the data collection pipeline using advanced semantic clustering, reducing reporting latency by 40% and freeing up $1.2M in annualized engineering capacity.”* 4. **The Human Capital Metric: Headcount Optimization** Managing a team is not an achievement; it is a cost. High-value leaders do not boast about how large their department is, because an unnecessarily large team signals organizational bloat. Instead, frame your leadership through the metric of **team velocity** and talent leverage. - **The Metric:** Focus on revenue-per-employee, output acceleration, or the retention of top-tier talent. - **The Optimization:** Turn *“Led a engineering team of 60”* into *“Optimized a 60-person engineering organization by implementing agile product workflows, accelerating sprint velocity by 28% while reducing voluntary annualized attrition to under 4%.”* **The Bottom Line** Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is the initial test of your strategic acumen. When you scrub it of bloat and anchor it entirely in capital allocation, you alter the power dynamic of the search. You cease to be a person asking for permission to join a company. You become an asset class that a leadership team cannot afford to misallocate Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Text **Tags:** Translating Responsibility into ROI --- ### [How Do You Apply For Jobs You Are Overqualified For? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-you-apply-for-jobs-you-are-overqualified-for-shorts/) **Published:** May 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Why do you want a job you are overqualified for? **Content:** # How Do You Apply For Jobs You Are Overqualified For? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/abSSfD52aSM) [***Why Doesn’t LinkedIn Rank Recruiters?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mo3) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** How Do You Apply For Jobs You Are Overqualified For? --- ### [The Illusion of the Formality Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-illusion-of-the-formality-interview/) **Published:** May 22, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Formality interview? What makes you think it's a formality? **Content:** # The Illusion of the Formality Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Formality [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/)? What makes you think it’s a formality? Welcome back to the channel. Picture this. You’re walking into the building for your final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). Your posture is perfect. Your [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) is pristine. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) called yesterday to tell you that you’ve got no competition. They said the team loves you. You’re the clear winner. And this final meeting is merely a formality to sign off on your [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/). It is completely human to let your guard down here. You start coasting. You assume your only job today is to show up and let the [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) confirm what they already think of you. Then, three days later, your phone rings. It’s the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/). They decided to go in a different direction. You didn’t get the job. The [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) was believing the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) was ever truly locked up. In high stakes [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/), final round and hired are two very different states. Coasting leaves you exposed because while you’ve stopped selling, the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) team is still actively weighing you against standards you aren’t yet addressing. To understand why the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) vanished, we have to look at the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. For many [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), making a final choice is a high-risk commitment. They aren’t just looking for reasons to say yes. They are looking for reasons to avoid making a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). This [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) triggers a psychological retreat. They invent a phantom competitor, a fantasy that a perfect candidate is still out there. This imaginary alternative is a powerful notion. You are fighting an idealized concept. No living person can beat a flawless phantom. To keep the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) open and justify that fantasy, the interviewer needs a reason to doubt you. They start hunting for proof that you aren’t the perfect choice they’re hoping for. They look for the rough edge. This could be a minor hesitation, an incomplete answer, or a small technical gap that surfaced in your previous rounds of [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Once they identify that rough edge, they will zero in on it. They will pick at it repeatedly, testing whether that specific inconsistency indicates a larger problem with your experience or your fit for the role. Every finalist they bring back to the table undergoes this same scrutiny. It’s a defense mechanism used to filter out risk. Those past [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) do not magically vanish between rounds. They stay on the record, and the final [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) is exactly where they are brought back into focus. Failing to anticipate that the team is specifically looking for these flaws is often what leads to that final, unexpected [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/). You have to go into this meeting as though nothing is locked up yet. You must be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to sell your value as if the process is starting from zero. Before the meeting, conduct a personal reconnaissance mission. Rigorously review your previous conversations and identify your own rough edges, the moments where your answers weren’t as sharp as they could have been. Prepare clear, factual rebuttals for these specific points. You need to address these issues proactively, so they don’t resurface when the decision is made. This self-audit effectively neutralizes the doubts the interviewer was planning to probe. You’re removing the obstacles before they can be used against you. During the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/), you don’t wait for them to find the flaw. You seize conversational control and address it before they can. The mechanics are simple. Answer a standard question, then deliberately pause. Use that moment to shift the direction of the meeting. Then, you deliver this script. There’s something I want to address from my previous [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). When I was asked about this topic earlier, I didn’t give a complete answer reflecting my experience. Can I correct any misimpressions I created right now? This move changes the atmosphere. It shows the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager that you have the accountability and self-awareness they are looking for. By taking proactive ownership of your past answers, you provide the reassurance the manager needs. You address the phantom competitor head-on, making it much easier for them to stop the search ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews **Tags:** The Illusion of the Formality Interview --- ### [The Micro Sprint Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-micro-sprint-job-search/) **Published:** May 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** High-volume, low-intent applications lead to burnout; precision micro-sprints lead to offers. **Content:** # The Micro Sprint Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Stop treating your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) like a marathon and start treating it like a series of tactical strikes. High-volume, low-intent [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) lead to [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/); precision micro-sprints lead to offers. Learn how to dismantle the “long game” and dominate the market in just 15 minutes a day. **Timestamps** 00:00 – The danger of the “Long Game” mindset. 00:17 – Defining the Micro-Sprint: 15-minute tactical blocks. 00:36 – The Reconnaissance Sprint: Finding strategic pain points. 01:04 – The Semantic Alignment Sprint: Optimizing for [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). 01:45 – The Digital Handshake Sprint: High-value [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). 02:13 – The Authority Signal Sprint: Cultivating discovery through content. 02:40 – Moving from procrastination to professional market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). For professionals, the greatest threat to a successful [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is the paralyzing weight of the long game. Viewing a search as one massive, singular project leads to procrastination, or the [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) of firing off high-volume, low-intent [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/). To maintain a high-level search while employed, you must deploy micro sprints—15 to 20-minute blocks of focused, high-intensity activity dedicated to a single function—compartmentalizing your effort into these bursts allows you to make progress without the fatigue of constant contact switching. The first function is the reconnaissance sprint. Instead of passively browsing job boards, you actively investigate a target company to find their specific strategic pain points. Set a 15-minute timer and scan a company’s 10-K filing. Jumping straight to the risk factor section reveals friction keywords like regulatory headwinds. By sprint’s end, write a single sentence defining the problem and root cause. This becomes your pitch foundation. Next is the semantic alignment sprint. Your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile are marketing assets that must be tuned to the knowledge clusters that AI-driven [applicant tracking systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) are programmed to find. Use a 15-minute block to cross-reference your experience section against a specific job description and rewrite exactly three bullet points. This graphic illustrates the shift from listing daily duties to proving quantifiable outcomes. You move from a generic management claim to a specific result, like architecting a pipeline that reduced deployment errors by 18%. Executing these first two sprints aligns your data with the market’s current expectations. The third function is the digital handshake sprint. Standard [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) often fails because generic connection requests are easily ignored. This diagram breaks down a direct message structure that avoids asking for time. You spend 15 minutes analyzing a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager’s recent posts to draft a message that leads with a high-value observation. Injecting a contrarian view or a specific insight from your own [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) signals that you are a peer providing value. The final phase is the authority signal sprint. The objective is to encourage algorithms to proactively serve your profile to headhunters. This mock-up demonstrates how to cultivate that discovery. You spend 15 minutes replacing generic comments with mini-articles, structured responses that inject hard data points or [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) lessons into the posts of industry leaders. These high-resolution outreach sprints create points of professional contact with decision makers before an [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) is ever submitted. Complexity and procrastination will stall [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) advancement. Viewing the search as a series of tactical strikes makes the process manageable. You are operating as a performing high-level market [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) and engagement. Commit to these 15-minute strikes for one week. You will generate more momentum than you would from dozens of hours of aimless browsing. Success in a modern [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) requires advancing with precision. [***The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. *[**Stop Bombing Your Interviews**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uGakiYlbNLbcPXdsSpsRL)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. **[*Smart Questions to Ask Recruiters Before Accepting a Job Offer: Protect Your Career, Negotiate Better Pay, and Avoid Costly Mistakes*](https://amzn.to/4tQ8QTj)** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*How to Build and Pitch Your Fractional Executive Playbook*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPu)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, No BS Job Search Advice **Tags:** The Micro Sprint Job Search --- ### [Wrestling to Find Enough Leads?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ask-the-big-game-hunter-wrestling-to-find-enough-leads/) **Published:** May 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter responds to a question one of his listeners has with advice for help to get more job leads for his job search. **Content:** # Wrestling to Find Enough Leads? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), responds to a question one of his listeners has with advice for help to get more job leads for his [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). [***Abdication Isn’t Just Done By Royalty***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6QO) Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I received an email today from one of my listeners to [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) radio who had a question for me. He basically says, I’m looking for a GM or senior sales and marketing leadership role and he describes the size of the firm he works in and his areas of expertise, which in his case is industrial manufacturing or polymer engineered materials. He tells me where he lives, where he’s also open to and then he continues and he did a nice job here. I fully realized that at my level that [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) should be the main focus of ever having spoken to numerous accountants, lawyers, consultants and some business owners in the area but have not unearthed opportunities and targeting specific companies in attempt to find some connects to get a better understanding of the company’s trends, unmet needs before working up to speaking to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager but have not had much [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). Any tips would be helpful. Now, excuse me. I’m just going to fidget in my chair for a moment and say that this guy’s doing a lot of the right things. I’ll add in a couple of more here. Business coaches. The CEO of the organization may be using a business coach. One of the largest, if not the largest, of the business [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) services is an organization called Vistage, V-I-S-T-A-G-E, that brings together small groups of small to medium-sized businesses. [***Understanding The Interviewer***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hsX) I tend to think of them as being small or they may [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) to as small or SMB businesses. Under 50 million dollars in sales to get together on a monthly basis and have the CEOs to work with one another to support one another. Mastermind groups. Finding some of the mastermind groups may also be an entree point and, in effect, what Vistage is doing here is like a mastermind for CEOs. So, business coaches, accountants, lawyers, great approach to take. Insurance people is a funny one because sometimes you’re hearing about a business being sold and there’s someone who might be interested in buying a business. That’s not expressed here but there may be an opportunity for someone to buy one of these firms that comes up for sale. But fundamentally, this person’s doing a lot of the right things and I commend them. The hard thing is once you’ve reached these people one time, often it’s the second or third approach that’s what makes a difference. After all, imagine what it’s like to be on their side. Ring, ring. Hi, I’m looking for a job. Do you know anything at my level with any of your clients? No, I don’t know anything but what they’re really saying is I don’t know you well enough to recommend you. So you need to build up your credentials with them in order for them to have enough trust to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you to their client. After all, you reflect badly on them if you [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) and do a poor job. So, again, it’s not just simply one time. It’s multiple times. It’s going to the chamber of commerce meetings for your areas and not just doing it once but doing it multiple times, looking for ways to get the business owners, business leaders, business [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/), people who sell to those individuals on multiple occasions in order to make those connections to find work. ## [***Standing Out on an Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hoC) This is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this video helpful. If you did, you’re watching on YouTube. Share it. Leave a comment. Click the like button. Do something that lets people know that it was worthwhile. Then go over to TheBigGameHunter.us and go exploring. I’ve got lots more content there to help you find work. Also, I must admit, what can I say? If you need [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), reach out to me through my website. [Hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) me as a coach. I’d be [happy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-you-arent-happy-doing-what-youre-doing-shorts/) to work with you one-on-one. This is [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Have a great day. Take care! [***From Paycheck to Purpose***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) resolving workplace issues. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Wrestling to Find Enough Leads? --- ### [After Getting Job Search Advice: What To Do Next #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/after-getting-job-search-advice-what-to-do-next-shorts/) **Published:** May 21, 2025 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Shelley Piedmont offered this advice about following up after getting job search advice. **Content:** # After Getting Job Search Advice: What To Do Next **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/huuMhwehNy8) Shelley Piedmont offered this advice about [following up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-follow-up-if-the-employer-said-no-calls-or-emails/) after getting [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) advice. [***Separating from the Military? Start Early to Find a Job!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eza) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Networking When a You Leave the Military***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-AB) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Job Search Lessons from The Military***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-28J) **Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***The Stockdale Paradox***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-bND) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Follow Up **Tags:** After Getting Job Search Advice: What To Do Next, follow up, Following Up, Following Up After Getting Job Search Advice --- ### [Does Not Having a LinkedIn Profile Make You Less Hirable? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/does-not-having-a-linkedin-profile-make-you-less-hirable-shorts/) **Published:** May 21, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Does not having a LinkedIn profile make you less hireable or even unhirable? **Content:** # Does Not Having a LinkedIn Profile Make You Less Hirable? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/KRZfjRvJkhY) Does not having a [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile make you less hirable or even unhirable? [***Adapt!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fG) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, LinkedIn **Tags:** Does Not Having a LinkedIn Profile Make You Less Hirable? --- ### [How to Transition from Corporate to Nonprofit Without Losing Your Mind](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-transition-from-corporate-to-nonprofit-without-losing-your-mind/) **Published:** May 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** If you're serious about pivoting to purpose, you need to unlearn your corporate playbook today. **Content:** # How to Transition from Corporate to Nonprofit Without Losing Your Mind ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)**** Stop assuming your corporate “savior complex” will fix a nonprofit; it will only get you rejected. This episode breaks down the brutal reality of resource scarcity, the culture of consensus, and how to actually penetrate [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) of mission-driven work. If you’re serious about pivoting to purpose, you need to unlearn your corporate playbook today. **Timestamps** 0:00 – The “Dead Weight” of Corporate Success 0:14 – Lessons from Icons: Armani, Angelou, and Child 1:04 – The Illusion of Competence & The Savior Complex 2:13 – Financial Reality: Working More for Less 3:06 – Corporate Hierarchy vs. Nonprofit Consensus 3:44 – Redefining Success: Impact Over ROI 4:46 – How to Infiltrate [the Hidden Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) 5:15 – Scrubbing the Corporate Jargon from Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) 5:50 – The Sector-Switcher Scorecard: Mapping Your Risk ***[Looking For A Job In The Nonprofit Sector: The Complete Guide For Those Beginners: How To Get A Job Working For A Nonprofit](https://amzn.to/48oWVTj)*** You reach a point in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) where the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) looks perfect and the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is great, but the title you worked so hard to achieve suddenly feels like dead weight. If you are feeling the urge to start over in your 40s, history is on your side. Giorgio Armani walked away from medical [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) and military service before founding his fashion house well into his 40s. Maya Angelou worked as a streetcar conductor and a cook before publishing her breakthrough book and becoming a civil rights icon at age 41. And Julia Child spent her early [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) in government intelligence before mastering French cooking and hosting her own television show in her 50s. Today, that same transition often takes the form of a successful corporate professional deciding to trade their pursuit of a higher tax bracket for a mission-driven role in the nonprofit sector. These icons succeeded because they were willing to learn an entirely new craft from the ground up. In the nonprofit world, that means setting aside the corporate playbook to understand a sector with its own rules, constraints, and definitions of success. The core problem for most sector switchers is an illusion of competence. They assume they can simply copy and paste their top-down corporate playbook into a nonprofit environment. This often manifests as the savior complex. You walk in thinking the organization desperately needs your business savvy to save them from their own inefficiency. Add to that the misconception that working for a cause means you get a lighter workload or a better work-life balance. In reality, you usually end up working harder for considerably less money. Mission-driven organizations operate as complex ecosystems of community stakeholders, donors, and volunteers. Managing these relationships requires a different approach than managing a corporate supply chain. If you are serious about making this move, we need to evaluate the tangible trade-offs you will face and then map out the exact steps required to infiltrate the sector’s relationship-driven job market. Because if you walk into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) treating the nonprofit like a struggling company you are trying to acquire, they will reject you. Survival requires adapting to their reality. Evaluating corporate assumptions against nonprofit reality begins with resource allocation. Incoming [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) face a sobering financial reality. Roughly two-thirds of all U.S. nonprofits operate on total annual budgets of under $1 million, including all salaries and benefits. In the corporate world, you are used to having a dedicated support staff, an IT help desk to fix your hardware, and the budget to hire a [consultant](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) when a problem gets complex. Under severe nonprofit cash constraints, those safety nets do not exist. # [***Breaking Into Nonprofit World: Everything You Should Know To Get A Nonprofit Job: Nonprofit Career Paths***](https://amzn.to/42sAnxk) You cannot throw money at a problem or delegate it away. The trade-off is clear. You gain incredible professional autonomy and the chance to rapidly diversify your skills, but you have to be willing to sit down and do the basic administrative work yourself. That resource scarcity directly affects how decisions are made, bringing us to our next reality check, the culture of consensus. A corporate hierarchy thrives on swift, top-down execution. Nonprofits rely on a slow, deliberate process of collaboration. Your board of directors is not made up of shareholders prioritizing profit margins. They are passionate community volunteers who expect to have their voices heard on the organization’s direction. Consensus building will reduce your operational speed, but taking the time to listen to all stakeholders is the only way to build long-term community trust, which is the primary currency of this sector. Moving to the final row of our matrix, defining success without financial metrics is a difficult adjustment. Instead of proving value through immediate financial returns and quarterly targets, these nodes represent a different focus, community health, educational [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), and social justice. In this environment, outcomes are often qualitative. Determining if an educational program changed a child’s trajectory requires subjective, long-term social science [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), not a quick spreadsheet. You have to rewire your brain to find motivation in incremental progress, rather than the immediate satisfaction of hitting a numerical sales target. Success in this sector looks like this. [***Landing A Nonprofit Job: Practical Advice To Stand Out In The Job Hunting: How To Get A Job At Mission-Driven Nonprofit***](https://amzn.to/4mQ1Xhm) The tangible, human-centric impact of delivering services to a community. You are trading the clarity of a P&L for the complexity of human outcomes. If you require hard, quantifiable financial data to feel successful at the end of the week, the nonprofit sector will completely drain you. If you accept those trade-offs and still want to pivot, you have to bypass standard [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) and infiltrate the sector’s relationship-driven [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) pool. A massive number of nonprofit roles make up [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/). Because teams are small and budgets are tight, critical positions are filled by trusted [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) before they show up on job boards. To access those [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/), you need to prove your value up front. That means offering pro bono consulting through platforms like Taproot or consistently showing up to niche industry gatherings. It means scrubbing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) of corporate jargon. If a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager sees terms like sales, shareholders, or ROI, they will reject the [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) immediately. Translating those concepts shows that you respect their culture and proves you aren’t just a voluntarist looking for a temporary project. [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers look for this language shift as evidence that you have done the work to understand the specific professional dialect of the nonprofit world. The purpose pivot comes down to a specific exchange, trading efficiency, vast resources, and a high [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) for community impact and a collaborative culture. To figure out your optimal entry point, we can use this sector switcher scorecard to map [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) profile against your personal risk tolerance. First is the cautious explorer. You are past 40, established, and need to maintain the financial stability you spent decades building. Your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) approach is low risk. Keep your day job while doing pro bono work to build relational currency. Next is the mid-level hard skill switcher. You work in IT, human resources, or marketing and want your tasks to have a direct social outcome. You will likely take a pay cut, but your functional skills make you competitive for direct hires on niche boards because nonprofits lack technical expertise. Matching your entry strategy to your actual financial risk tolerance is the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to prevent transition [burnout](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-a-job-not-burnout/) before you even begin. Finally, we have the profile of the burned out executive, accustomed to rapid execution and unquestioned authority. If this is you, you must systematically deconstruct your leadership style. You have to check your ego at the door, sit down, and start listening to the people who are already doing the work. Trading a corner office for a collaborative workspace changes how you exercise power. The reward is seeing your professional expertise solve a community problem instead of just increasing a profit margin. Purpose does not come with a corporate expense account. [The hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) rewards those who prove their worth first. ***[LinkedIn Hates People Who Are Unemployed](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ku8)*** ### ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***Including a Handwritten Letter When Applying for Jobs?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mp1) You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site, ⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠ Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2) Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): ⁠ ⁠Resume & [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile critiques⁠ ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Categories:** Non-Profit **Tags:** How to Transition from Corporate to Nonprofit Without Losing Your Mind --- ### [How Do You Politely Decline Giving Someone a Reference?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-you-politely-decline-giving-someone-a-reference/) **Published:** May 20, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A common predicament for people . . . How do you do it? **Content:** # How Do You Politely Decline Giving Someone a Reference? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** A common predicament for people . . . How do you do it? **\[00:00\]** I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) and leadership coach. I help people find work, [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) better, lead and manage people better, generally be more effective in the workplace. And one of the things that shows up from time to time is people asking you to give them—asking you to provide a reference for them as part of their search. **\[00:23\]** And there are times you don’t want to give the reference. You know the person is marginal at [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). So how do you do that? Now, I can do this in a couple of different ways because I know I get those reference requests all the time. Like, people will message me for recommendations on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). And they’re in India or Spain and they say I should provide a recommendation for them, even though I haven’t been within a thousand miles of them anytime of their life. And I’m supposed to write a recommendation that says what a wonderful employee they are. Doesn’t work, does it? **\[01:04\]** And I’m not going to try gaming the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) system with fraudulent recommendations. I think it’s bad for everyone. So, the first thing is, is this really a personal or professional recommendation that you’re trying to [turn down](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-were-turned-down-you-put-too-much-pressure-on-yourself-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio/)? Let’s say it’s a professional one. Why don’t they already know that you don’t value their work? What is it about you and your leadership style or your work as a co-leader where they don’t get it, that you don’t like their work, or you think they’re a problem, or you think they’re dishonest? That’s on you, that’s not on them. **\[01:41\]** And I would politely say to you, adjust. Because that’s a [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that’s causing people to think you value them more highly than you do. That doesn’t mean that you’re supposed to be rude or obnoxious, but it does suggest that the one way out of this is by saying, “You know, I think a better reference for you would probably be,” and you point them to someone on the team who knows their work better and could probably say something about them. **\[02:07\]** “Yeah, but, um, they won’t give me a reference.” Well, and then you laugh and go, “I’m not really your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) reference. I think you ought to find someone else.” **\[02:19\]** Now, if it’s a personal reference and they want you to substantiate something about them personally, well, you can always say, “I really only know you to a limited degree. And thus, you know, if they start probing deeply, you know, I don’t really have the data about you because we’ve really only hung out with one another once or twice, or spent any time with one another once or twice. So there’s got to be a better reference than me for this.” **\[02:49\]** So, you have to be somewhat forthright with them and point them to situations where you just don’t really know enough about them to provide the reference. And fundamentally, that’s what you’re trying to do, is point them to someone else to provide it or politely say, “I really don’t know you.” **\[03:10\]** And in my case, where it’s people more than a thousand miles away who I’ve never spoken with before in my life, and they expect me to write a recommendation about them and do—do it from their LinkedIn—I have to do all the work for them, and I don’t even know them. And I would politely say, “Explain this one to me. We’ve never worked together before. We haven’t been within a thousand miles of one another before. How am—how is someone supposed to believe that I, as a coach, or before that as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), have a way of substantiating the quality of your work? Could you explain that one to me?” And normally, they would go away. **\[03:50\]** In your case, if it’s a former colleague or a friend of yours who’s asking to write a recommendation, or to provide an oral recommendation because they’re doing a [reference check](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-reference-check-trap/), well, you can politely point out to them that, “Well, you know, we haven’t worked with one another before.” And all they have to do is to take one look at the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile to see that we’re in completely different fields and have never worked with one another. “Just explain to me how this would work for your benefit, because I don’t see it. I think they’ll figure out pretty quickly that I’m just a friend of yours masquerading as a professional reference.” **\[04:29\]** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) makes it harder to cheat these days because there’s data there, and it just shows where the ties are and where they aren’t. So, recognize that. You can’t game it like you used to, and if you try to, trust me, you’re the one who’s going to get hurt because firms are going to recognize the BS and pull offers from you. **\[04:52\]** I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you found this helpful. Visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us. You know, I’ve got a ton more there that you can watch, listen to, or read that will help you find work more quickly. **\[05:03\]** Also, I want to mention, you know, I’ve—I’ve got a great YouTube channel at JobSearchTV.com. That takes you directly to the channel, and you can watch all my videos and podcasts there. It’s more than six and a half thousand, 7,000 posts at this point, of material there that you can watch as well. And you can subscribe to my channel there by clicking a small icon in the lower right. **\[05:29\]** And I’m available on BingeNetworks.tv, which is an app for Fire TV. It’s an app for Apple TV, Roku, 90-some-odd video platforms that my content is available on through the BingeNetworks.tv app, so you can watch me there. **\[05:47\]** And also want to say, if you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), you know, you can message me through my website. There’s a button on the homepage where you can schedule a free discovery call me—call with me. I’d love to talk with you and see whether I can be of help. **\[06:02\]** Have a great day! ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, References **Tags:** declining giving a reference, not giving a reference, reference check, references, turning down a reference request --- ### [Salary Negotiation: Understanding Deal Dynamics in a Negotiation](https://thebiggamehunter.us/salary-negotiation-understanding-deal-dynamics-in-a-negotiation-jobsearchtv-com/) **Published:** August 20, 2019 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** When you go into a negotiation of any sort, whether as a job hunter, a hiring employer or within an organization, this is what goes on underneath the surface. **Content:** # Salary Negotiation: Understanding Deal Dynamics in a Negotiation **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When you go into a negotiation of any sort, whether as a job hunter, a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) employer or within an organization, this is what goes on underneath the surface. Here, I’m going to talk with you about negotiating. Now. The truth of the matter is this is a video that’s going to be useful whether you’re trying to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) as a job hunter or as an employer because the reality is deal dynamics exist in any situation anytime you’re negotiating. These are the variations that you have to deal with. So, for you as a job hunter, you may hear an employer ask the question, “So, where are you in your search? What else is going on for you?” You know what they’re trying to find out? It’s really very simple. What they’re trying to find out is do they have competition, whether you have leverage to play with them, whether there’s a situation where you as a job hunter can really bargain with them because, hey, it doesn’t matter. You’ve got three things going on. Thus, when you don’t have anything going on, they think they’ve got an advantage and, thus, the correct answer for the job hunter is always to say, “I’m very close to two other things right now. I really like this one a lot. But, the reality is, as I said to someone yesterday, you may not have noticed this but there’s no one with my name on the Forbes or Fortune list of wealthiest Americans. So, compensation’s important to me. Thus, I want to encourage you to make your strongest [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) because I’m confident other firms are about to do that, as well.” Thus, what you’ve done is signal to them that, “hey, you know, you don’t have the leverage here. They can’t really push your buttons and say, ‘you know, you want to keep looking for a job or do you want this job,”‘ especially in recessionary times where people don’t really have choices. It’s always very important that you indicate that you certainly will have choices, you’re about to have choices and not give them that advantage because, ultimately, this is a question that signals who wants this more. And the one who wants it more is more willing to compromise. Do you want to compromise? And, for you as a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager who’s in a situation hearing this, often, if this is your first choice, you’re starting to look at your second choice as a possibility but stick with your first one and ride that out because you never know if they’re bluffing or not. Is there a time constraint here? Do you as an employer have to bring on someone by end of year, by end of budget year, some other variable because you have to start a new project? You know, what’s making it, right now, that they want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you and, thus, what alternatives do they have? Now, sometimes, an employer’s going to try and regain leverage by saying, “Well, I have two other people I’m talking with on finals. What’s your timeline?” Or, “I have two other people that I’m talking with,” and they’re signaling to you that, much like you’ve signaled to them, that you have choices, they’re trying to say that they have choices, too. That’s fine. Job hunters often respond with that knot in the pit of the stomach that says, “I’m gonna lose this,” and the idea is you always want to draw them in and, for you, as the employer, you never want to give your leverage away because the reality is, ultimately, yes, you will have other choices. You’ve decided this is your first one but you want to get them at the right price, right? Ultimately, what you’re trying to do is to see who wants it more. What alternatives exist? What’s the timeline for decision making? Can you move the needle forward right now? What’s the real price point to complete the transaction? Ultimately, when I think about most negotiations from a comp perspective, for job hunters or [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), one side really wants it more than the other and is willing to make fewer accommodations to the other side. So, I want to remind you these are the deal dynamics and, once you’re on board, there are other situations where you’re dealing with deal dynamics, as well. This subject is going to surface time and time again and you need to remind yourself, even in internal situations who wants this more? Who has the leverage here and how can you get what you want out of the situation without excessive compromise. Notice, I used the phrase *“excessive compromise,”* rather than “*compromise.* “ Ideally you want to do it without compromise. I’ve got a lot more content about [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation. If you go to www.JobSearchTV.com, that will take you to my YouTube channel, or you can visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![JeffAltman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)JeffAltman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a career and leadership coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes and his newest show, “No BS [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) Advice.” He is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council. “No BS JobSearch Advice Radio” was recently named a Top 10 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). JobSearchTV.com was also recently named a Top 10 YouTube channel for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). *Are you interested in 1:1 [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/)? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Strategic Advisory call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) [If you have questions for me,](https://thebiggamehunter.us/magnifi)[ call me through the Magnifi app](https://provider.magnifi.io/thebiggamehunter) for iOS (video) or [PrestoExperts.com ](https://thebiggamehunter.us/presto)(phone) ![JobSearchTV.com](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Banner-1-300x112.jpg)JobSearchTV.com[Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). Watch my videos on YouTube at **[JobSearchTV.com](chrome-extension://idgadaccgipmpannjkmfddolnnhmeklj/html/www.JobSearchTV.com)** **[Join Career Angles on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/careerangles/) and receive support, ideas and advice in your current career and job.** You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” [Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2) Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. **Categories:** Uncategorized **Tags:** Deal dynamics, Negotiating, Negotiating an offer, negotiation, Salary Negotiation --- ### [Stupid Job Search Mistakes: Spamming Your Resume #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-job-search-mistakes-spamming-your-resume-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) **Published:** May 20, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Maybe there's one person you know who has been successful spamming their resume. Then, there are the other thousands who do it and get no results and worse. **Content:** # Stupid Job Search Mistakes: Spamming Your Resume #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/PsbI7ZIv3dY) Maybe there’s one person you know who has been successful spamming their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). Then, there are the other thousands who do it and get no results and worse. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Adding Social Media Links to Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lm5)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ***[LinkedIn Mistakes Too Many People Make](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-GK)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***How Can They Catch You Bluffing?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4GO) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Applying for a Job, Mistakes **Tags:** applying for a job you're not qualified for, Job Search Mistakes, spamming your resume, Stupid job search mistakes, submitting your resume for job you're not qualified for, Submitting your resume through the ATS, underqualified for job, underqualified for the job should you still apply --- ### [Interview Red Flags: We’re Like Family #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-red-flags-were-like-family-shorts/) **Published:** May 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This interview flag is a warning sign to run! **Content:** # Interview Red Flags: We’re Like Family #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/fgm3JiE-5MY) A warning sign to run! ***[Why You Put Contact Info on Your Resume](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2Q1)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. [***My Manager/Boss Found Out I’m Looking!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-it4) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-81-209x300.jpg) answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***How Can I See Another Person’s [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile Without Them Knowing?*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. [***The Top 10 Salary Negotiation Mistakes***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ekN) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [***How Can They Catch You Bluffing?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4GO) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Red Flags **Tags:** Interview Red Flags: We’re Like Family --- ### [What Are the Indicators of a Strong Resume? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-are-the-indicators-of-a-strong-resume-shorts/) **Published:** May 20, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # What Are the Indicators of a Strong Resume? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** What are the key indicators of a strong [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) versus a weak one? [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Like Atypical Answers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-js7) Easy! You’re getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). A weak [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) isn’t getting you [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), a strong one is. Now we could look at, you know, are we talking about a generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or a tailored [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? You always tailor your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) for each individual position you’re [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for, because otherwise you’re little more than a spammer. So, strong resumes—that’s the way I’m going to look at it—strong [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) versus weak ones. Strong [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) that you generate per job get you [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Weak [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) reflect the fact that you’re not getting [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/), and as a matter of fact, your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) may not make a case for why you’re qualified to do these positions. So the long and the short of it is, keep plugging, keep tailoring your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), keep looking until such time as you have the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) letter in your hand. And even then, wait a month or two before you pull yourself off the market. I can’t tell you how many times, you know, people I knew took positions and discovered that what they were told about the new job wasn’t true, and thus they were stuck. They were stuck, and you don’t ever want to be in that position. So I’ll just simply say, focus in on demonstrating to them that you have a world-class background, so that this way they always want to be talking with you. [***What Recruiters Know That You Don’t: They Aren’t Watching All Those Screening Videos***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-j5y) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Should I Connect With People on LinkedIn Who Rejected Me for a Job?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-27b) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, No BS Resume Advice --- ### [After the Interview #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/after-the-interview-shorts/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Here's one thing you can do after an interview to stand out. **Content:** # After the Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/wF18wzIfdA0) Here’s one thing you can do after an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) to stand out. [***Put a Resume on Your LinkedIn Profile Page***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-2j)### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![jeff altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/what-should-you-wear-for-a-video-interview-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[34 Resume Mistakes That Can Prove Deadly](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kb3)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Resume Follow Up Fails***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kky) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Leadership Betrayals***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-hAM) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* https://youtu.be/c4ksS7ohw\_U **Categories:** #Shorts, After The Interview **Tags:** After The Interview, Follow up after an interview, Follow up after the interview, Following Up, post-interview follow up, Thank you Letter, thank you note, thank you video --- ### [Networking Arbitrage: Using AI to Map Value Before You Message](https://thebiggamehunter.us/networking-arbitrage-using-ai-to-map-value-before-you-message/) **Published:** May 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The standard LinkedIn pitch has been thoroughly devalued **Content:** # Networking Arbitrage: Using AI to Map Value Before You Message **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** When a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) stalls, the bottleneck is rarely a lack of qualifications. It is almost always an inability to scale **attention**. In an ecosystem crowded with automated templates and low-effort connection requests, the standard [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) pitch has been thoroughly devalued. For leaders and individual contributors, breaking through requires a clean break from automation-for-volume. You must use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as an analytical engine to map corporate friction points before you ever initiate contact. Let’s step back, dismantle the boilerplate [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) email and replace it with an AI-driven methodology designed to establish immediate peer-to-peer authority. ### 1. Move Past the Shared Connection Most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice relies on vanity indicators: a mutual colleague, an overlapping university, or a shared geographic region. These are baseline pleasantries, not strategic catalysts. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) allows you to bypass the pleasantries and execute **Deep Personalization** by isolating an executive or person’s current operational burden. - **The Strategy:** [Executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are public-facing entities. They leave data trails in the form of quarterly investor calls, panel transcripts, white papers, and industry panels. Your objective is to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to find the delta between what they are promising the market and what their infrastructure can realistically deliver. - **The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Protocol:** Feed a target executive’s recent public commentary or their company’s latest macro updates into an LLM. - **The Analytical Prompt:** *“Analyze this text from the perspective of an institutional investor. Identify the top two operational or infrastructure risks implied by this growth strategy. Cross-reference these risks with my core expertise in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction they will face.”* By leading your outreach with this insight, you change the dynamic. You are no longer an applicant looking for an opening; you are an advisor flagging a blind spot. [***The AI-Savvy Job Seeker: Transform Your LinkedIn Profile and Outshine the Competition***](https://amzn.to/42Erh0I) ### 2. Semantic Proximity Mapping: Locating the Functional Peer Targeting the wrong node in an organization wastes critical momentum. HR professionals and talent acquisition leads are trained to filter for historical compliance (matching past titles to current openings). They are rarely equipped to evaluate forward-looking strategic utility. You need to reach your **Future Peer**—the line executive who actually owns the budget and feels the pain of the unpicked lock. - **The Tactic:** Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build a profile of your ideal internal advocate based on semantic [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) paths rather than rigid corporate titles. - **The Execution:** Extract the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile text of five leaders who successfully transitioned into your target domain during a market contraction. Ask the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model to isolate the hidden common denominators in their background: *What vocabulary do they use to describe their wins? What specific inflection points preceded their promotions?* - **The Outreach Alignment:** Use those semantic markers to filter your 2nd-degree [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) network. When you reach out, your language will automatically mirror the internal vocabulary of their executive suite, signaling immediate cultural and operational fit. ### 3. Evade the Automated Filter The human brain is remarkably adept at recognizing synthetic text. If an executive senses even a fraction of an AI-generated template like over-indexing on words like “transformative,” “passionate,” “delighted,” or “synergy,” the message is immediately thought of as spam. - **The 80/20 Rule of Production:** Leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for the heavy cognitive lifting–the data aggregation, the trend analysis, and the structural outlining (the 80%). But reserve the final execution (the 20%) entirely for your own human voice. - **The Tonal Audit:** Run your drafted message back through the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) with a highly restrictive stylistic prompt: *“Review this outreach draft. Strip out all corporate boilerplate, introductory filler, and generic conversational lubrication. Shorten sentences to vary the cadence, use direct active verbs, and ensure the tone reflects the clinical brevity of a wartime CEO.”* ### 4. Compliance as a Trust Signal Your command of data hygiene is an explicit indicator of your judgment. Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools to unearth unlisted personal cell phone numbers or scraping protected internal directories doesn’t signal resourcefulness; it signals a liability. - **The Guardrail:** Restrict your [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) strictly to **Public Signals**. When you analyze an executive’s [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) on a public industry shift, you demonstrate market awareness. - **The Security Parameter:** Never input proprietary metrics, unannounced financial data, or sensitive operational structures from your current or former employer into a public model to help build your case studies. A leader who compromises data security to secure an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) will not be trusted with an enterprise P&L. ### The Bottom Line AI-driven [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is an exercise in leverage, not volume. It is about using machine intelligence to arrive at an understanding of the challenges a company, leader and/or manager is facing faster than your competition can. When you ground your outreach this way, the conversation shifts from a transactional job request to an active strategic alignment. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Networking, Text --- ### [Stupid Interview Mistakes: The Top Questions to NEVER Ask at a Job Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-the-top-questions-to-never-ask-at-a-job-interview/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter tells you 5 questions to NEVER ask at a job interview if you want to get a job offer.  **Content:** # Stupid Interview Mistakes: The Top Questions to NEVER Ask at a Job Interview **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) tells you 5 questions to NEVER ask at a job [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) if you want to get a job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Hi, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m called [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) because I coach people to play their professional and personal games big. And I’m coming to you today to talk with you about, you know, some of the top questions to not ask at the end of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). Why do I [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) this? Because someone asked one of these stupid questions on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) recently. They were doing well, but, you know, once they got to a couple of the dumb things, or once people come to a couple of these dumb things that are asked, it’s like knocking yourself out of consideration. So, you know, I don’t think most of you at a professional level are going to do this, but I’ve got to cover it. So, let’s just start off by saying the worst question or thing to say at an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is, “I don’t have any questions.” There’s got to have been something that got raised in the discussion, you know, in the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) that you have questions about. “Tell me what a typical workday is like” is a great question, you know, especially if you’re at a non-managerial level, or a non-staff level if you’re an hourly worker. “Tell me what a typical day would be like in this role.” I’ve got a couple of others that I’ll give at the end of the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) that you should ask instead, but let’s start off with “I don’t have any questions” as being the dumbest thing you could possibly ask. Other than, here’s the next one: “Can you tell me about the company?” You know, it’s one thing back in the stone ages if you had to go to a library to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) a firm, not the case anymore. Just do a quick web search, find out about the organization, what they do, how business is for them. It’s not difficult. So, you know, spend a little time researching in advance instead of talking about the company, asking them about the company. Another thing never to talk about is vacation time, sick time, holidays, paid time off, you know, things along those lines. You know, “When can you take lunch during a day?” Trust me, there’s going to be time to have lunch. But, you know, all this other stuff is extraneous. It’s going to be in a brochure that you’ll get later on. If they don’t want to send it to you until you accept the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), just simply say, “I just want to check this stuff out. You know, can you just give me a rundown on what the benefits are, including vacation time, sick time, PTO, holidays that are recognized, things along those lines, just so I’m aware of it, so there’s no surprises.” Here’s another stupid one: “What’s the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) for the job?” Now, trust me, if you’re hitting the wrong number, if you’ve come up too high, they’re going to try and talk you down from it. So don’t worry about it. You know, at the end of the day, remember, the job ad probably covered it, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) probably covered it. Why do you think that’s the wrong information? Be aware of it when you walk in the door instead of asking it on the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). This one I like in particular, and I’ll simply say, any question beginning with the word “why.” You know, “Why do you do it that way?” Instead, “Can you tell me more about…” is a better way to phrase it. “Can you tell me more about the way you handle this kind of situation?” or “Why you chose this approach?” instead of “Why?” “Why” is a confrontational question. Any question beginning with “why” in an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) makes them think like you think they’re stupid or mindless or… You have to sound curious instead of confrontational. Last thing, and this wouldn’t be an executive level, but it tends to run into in staff and hourly workers: “Tell me about your disciplinary process.” You know, like, let’s not invite the [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) question of, “Okay, perhaps this person’s had a discipline problem before.” They’re not going to [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) it as a subject, they’re just going to assume that’s the case and that’s why you’re asking the question. So, I’ll simply say, these are some of the things not to ask on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). I’m sure you don’t, but just in case you’re dumb enough to do it, stop it! Stop it, I tell you! I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Hope you enjoy this video. My website is thebiggamehunter.us. There’s a lot there to watch, listen to, and read to help you find work more quickly. And if we’re not connected on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), send a connection request at [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com/in/thebiggamehunter. If you have some questions about [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), reach out to me through my website instead of asking your stupid friends or maybe a former manager who knows as little as you do. You know, I’m an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/), I’ve done this for more than 45 years, over 90,000 hours of work. It takes 10,000 to be an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) and I’ve got nine times that in the way of experience. So let me help you instead of asking dumb people. Again, you can find out more at my website. Hope you have a great day. Take care. [***The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, Text **Tags:** Stupid Interview Mistakes, Stupid Interview Mistakes: The Top Questions to NEVER Ask at a Job Interview --- ### [The Benefit of Interview Practice #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-benefit-of-interview-practice-shorts/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This is a quick video to explain interview practice is so important. **Content:** # The Benefit of Interview Practice **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/W4W0AyxPvHM) This is a quick video to explain why [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) practice is so important. [***The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews **Tags:** interview practice, interview prep, Interview Preparation, interview tips, job interview, Job interview prep, Job Interview Preparation, The Benefit of Interview Practice --- ### [No BS Career Advice: May 17 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-may-17-2026/) **Published:** May 18, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: May 17 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Dont Wait](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dont-Wait-Gemini_Generated_Image_seihucseihucseih.png) It was a busy week with several new hires, several new people to work with during their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, the release of my newest book, supporting my wife as she helps her niece transition to a temporary group home and works with social workers to find something more permanent. Emotionally, it has been difficult for her as I listen and ask questions. I want to fix the problem, but I can’t so I listen. The book, :[Starting Over: The No BS Playbook: How to Land a New Job After 10+ Years With One Employer Whether You Chose to Leave or Were Forced Out](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1817G2M)” will be available for Kindle for $0.99 for this final week before reverting to its normal price of $9.99. The audiobook is at its normal price. I hope you like it and leave a review. ## Networking Arbitrage: Using AI to Map Value Before You Message [**By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter**](https://jobsearch.community/) When a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) stalls, the bottleneck is rarely a lack of qualifications. It is almost always an inability to scale **attention**. In an ecosystem crowded with automated templates and low-effort connection requests, the standard [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) pitch has been thoroughly devalued. For leaders and individual contributors, breaking through requires a clean break from automation-for-volume. You must use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as an analytical engine to map corporate friction points before you ever initiate contact. Let’s step back, dismantle the boilerplate [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) email and replace it with an AI-driven methodology designed to establish immediate peer-to-peer authority. ### 1. Move Past the Shared Connection Most [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) advice relies on vanity indicators: a mutual colleague, an overlapping university, or a shared geographic region. These are baseline pleasantries, not strategic catalysts. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) allows you to bypass the pleasantries and execute **Deep Personalization** by isolating an executive or person’s current operational burden. - **The Strategy:** [Executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are public-facing entities. They leave data trails in the form of quarterly investor calls, panel transcripts, white papers, and industry panels. Your objective is to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to find the delta between what they are promising the market and what their infrastructure can realistically deliver. - **The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Protocol:** Feed a target executive’s recent public commentary or their company’s latest macro updates into an LLM. - **The Analytical Prompt:** *“Analyze this text from the perspective of an institutional investor. Identify the top two operational or infrastructure risks implied by this growth strategy. Cross-reference these risks with my core expertise in \[Your Specialization\] and generate a concise, peer-level observation regarding the friction they will face.”* By leading your outreach with this insight, you change the dynamic. You are no longer an applicant looking for an opening; you are an advisor flagging a blind spot. ### 2. Semantic Proximity Mapping: Locating the Functional Peer Targeting the wrong node in an organization wastes critical momentum. HR professionals and talent acquisition leads are trained to filter for historical compliance (matching past titles to current openings). They are rarely equipped to evaluate forward-looking strategic utility. You need to reach your **Future Peer**—the line executive who actually owns the budget and feels the pain of the unpicked lock. - **The Tactic:** Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build a profile of your ideal internal advocate based on semantic [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) paths rather than rigid corporate titles. - **The Execution:** Extract the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile text of five leaders who successfully transitioned into your target domain during a market contraction. Ask the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) model to isolate the hidden common denominators in their background: *What vocabulary do they use to describe their wins? What specific inflection points preceded their promotions?* - **The Outreach Alignment:** Use those semantic markers to filter your 2nd-degree [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) network. When you reach out, your language will automatically mirror the internal vocabulary of their executive suite, signaling immediate cultural and operational fit. ### 3. Evade the Automated Filter The human brain is remarkably adept at recognizing synthetic text. If an executive senses even a fraction of an AI-generated template like over-indexing on words like “transformative,” “passionate,” “delighted,” or “synergy,” the message is immediately thought of as spam. - **The 80/20 Rule of Production:** Leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) for the heavy cognitive lifting–the data aggregation, the trend analysis, and the structural outlining (the 80%). But reserve the final execution (the 20%) entirely for your own human voice. - **The Tonal Audit:** Run your drafted message back through the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) with a highly restrictive stylistic prompt: *“Review this outreach draft. Strip out all corporate boilerplate, introductory filler, and generic conversational lubrication. Shorten sentences to vary the cadence, use direct active verbs, and ensure the tone reflects the clinical brevity of a wartime CEO.”* ### 4. Compliance as a Trust Signal Your command of data hygiene is an explicit indicator of your judgment. Using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools to unearth unlisted personal cell phone numbers or scraping protected internal directories doesn’t signal resourcefulness; it signals a liability. - **The Guardrail:** Restrict your [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) strictly to **Public Signals**. When you analyze an executive’s [thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) on a public industry shift, you demonstrate market awareness. - **The Security Parameter:** Never input proprietary metrics, unannounced financial data, or sensitive operational structures from your current or former employer into a public model to help build your case studies. A leader who compromises data security to secure an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) will not be trusted with an enterprise P&L. ### The Bottom Line AI-driven [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is an exercise in leverage, not volume. It is about using machine intelligence to arrive at an understanding of the challenges a company, leader and/or manager is facing faster than your competition can. When you ground your outreach this way, the conversation shifts from a transactional job request to an active strategic alignment. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Last week, I released a lot of new content including: **A High-Signal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Outreach Strategy** **Excerpt:** Stop being a liability and start using high-signal tactics that command respect. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to shift your outreach from generic noise to high-value signals. **Link:** **How Do I Overcome My Fear of [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/)?** **Excerpt:** Fear of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is a common problem. Arguing with the fear won’t work. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares tactical mindset shifts and preparation techniques to perform with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). **Link:** **Should I Include Personal Interests on My [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? #shorts** **Excerpt:** Does anyone really care if you enjoy hiking or sourdough baking? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses whether personal interests add value or just clutter to your profile. **Link:** **Why You Should Never Use a One Page [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** **Excerpt:** The one-page [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) rule is a relic of the past. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains why cramming your experience hurts your chances with modern [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) systems. **Link:** **How to Ask for a [Referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) Without Feeling Like a Burden #shorts** **Excerpt:** [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is about relationships, not just favors. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares a simple script to ask for a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) that feels natural and respectful. **Link:** **Is This Why [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) Ignore Your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile?** **Excerpt:** You have the skills, but your profile isn’t getting hits. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the common profile [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that make [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) scroll right past you. **Link:** \_\_\_\_\_\_ **Photos on a [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) #shorts** **Excerpt:** Is a headshot a modern touch or a fast track to the ‘no’ pile? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) gives a No BS answer on whether photos belong on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) in 2026. **Link:** \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **What Do You Tell A Soon-to-Be Grad About [the Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)** **Excerpt:** The advice for new grads has changed. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares the hard truths and tactical shifts a soon-to-be graduate needs to hear to compete in today’s market. **Link:** \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **A High-Signal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) Outreach Strategy** **Excerpt:** Stop being a liability and start using high-signal tactics that command respect. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to shift your outreach from generic noise to high-value signals. **Link:** \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **How Do I Overcome My Fear of [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/)?** **Excerpt:** Fear of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is a common problem. Arguing with the fear won’t work. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares tactical mindset shifts and preparation techniques to perform with [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). **Link:** \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Should Your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile Be Different from Your [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [Cover Letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/)? Excerpt: Consistency is key, but context matters. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to tailor your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile to complement your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) without simply duplicating them. Link: resume-and-cover-letter/ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): May 10 2026 Excerpt: A daily curation of the most effective strategies for [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) preparation, and navigating complex workplace dynamics from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), The Big Game Hunter. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Spotting Covert Racism on [Job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Excerpt: Not all bias is loud. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to identify the subtle, covert signs of racism during the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) process and what it means for your potential future at a company. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Land a New Job Without Ads or [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/): 10 Easy Tactics Excerpt: Most [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) are never posted. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares ten tactical, 'No BS' ways to bypass traditional job boards and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) to land your next role through direct action. Link: tactics/ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ [Raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) Your Hand . . . Again Excerpt: Visibility is a choice. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) talks about the importance of consistently stepping up and volunteering for opportunities to ensure you remain top-of-mind for promotions. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **A Visit to an Elephant Camp: A Reminder About Conditioning and Success** **Excerpt:** Like elephants tethered by thin ropes they could easily break, many professionals are held back by mental conditioning from early in their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explores how to break free from these self-imposed limitations. **Link:** **When is the [Best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) Time to Look for a New Job? #shorts** **Excerpt:** Timing is everything, but it’s not always about the market. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares the No BS perspective on the optimal moment to start your next [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) move. **Link:** **Why Are They [Interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) 1 More Person After Asking for My References? #shorts** **Excerpt:** It’s frustrating to be at the finish line and see the goalposts move. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains the internal corporate logic behind that ‘one last interview’ with another candidate. **Link:** **What “We’ll Get Back to You” Really Means in [Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)** **Excerpt:** Decoding the standard [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) sign-off. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) pulls back the curtain on what [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers are actually thinking when they use this ambiguous phrase. **Link:** **The 5 Step Roadmap to Your First IT Job** **Excerpt:** Breaking into tech requires more than just skills; it requires a strategy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) outlines a clear, 5-step path to landing your first role in the IT industry. **Link:** **Human Intent, Machine Speed: The Executive Protocol for [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/)** **Excerpt**: In the age of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) isn’t about volume; it’s about high-signal intent. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) can leverage [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speed while maintaining the human touch that closes deals and lands roles. **Link**: --- **The 5 Step Roadmap to Your First IT Job** **Excerpt**: Breaking into IT can be daunting. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) provides a battle-tested, 5-step roadmap to move from zero experience to a hired professional in 6 to 12 months. **Link**: --- **Win the [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) in 5 Minutes** **Excerpt**: The first five minutes of an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) often determine the outcome. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares the ‘No BS’ techniques to establish authority and rapport immediately, setting the stage for a successful [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). **Link**: --- **Going for a Signing Bonus** **Excerpt**: Don’t leave money on the table. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the tactics for successfully negotiating a signing bonus and why timing is the most critical factor in your request. **Link**: --- **The Sovereign [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/): Navigating the Marathon** **Excerpt**: [Your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) is a marathon, not a sprint. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explores the ‘Sovereign Career’ mindset, teaching you how to maintain autonomy and long-term value in an ever-shifting job market. **Link**: **Why Is It Important to [Follow Up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) in a Timely Way? #shorts** **Excerpt**: Timing can make or break an opportunity. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down why fast, strategic [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) keeps you top-of-mind and signals high professionalism to [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers. **Link**: --- **[Resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) Are Advertisements** **Excerpt**: Stop treating your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) like a dry historical document. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains how to shift your mindset to view your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as a targeted marketing piece designed to sell your value. **Link**: --- **[Over 50](https://thebiggamehunter.us/free-professional-courses-for-older-pros-shorts/)? Updating a [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? #shorts** **Excerpt**: [Job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) later in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) requires a specific strategy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares quick, essential tips to modernize your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and combat [age bias](https://thebiggamehunter.us/overcoming-age-bias-in-job-search/) effectively. **Link**: --- **Surviving the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Parser** **Excerpt**: Don’t let an algorithm kill your chances before a human ever sees your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/). [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) pulls back the curtain on how [Applicant Tracking Systems](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-taleo-how-to-beat-the-enterprise-filter/) read data and how to format your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to survive the scan. **Link**: --- **Your Conviction: [Employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) Checks** **Excerpt**: Dealing with a criminal record during a background check can be stressful. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) offers a direct, practical guide on how to navigate disclosure, maintain control of your narrative, and handle [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) verifications with integrity. **Link**: --- In addition to my new book, let me remind you of two others. [**The Over 50 Professional’s Guide to Job Search Success: Proven Techniques to Overcome Age Bias, and Thrive in Today’s Job Market**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5K781V) **and** [**10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5K781V). Both are available as paperbacks, Kindle books and PDFs. --- **People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching** because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. ***If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.*** [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) ***Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podscasts.*** **\#BeGreat** ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff.** **Categories:** No BS Career Advice, Text **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: May 17 2026 --- ### [Can an Employer Track If You've Used The Same Resume/Cover Letter for Multiple Jobs?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/can-an-employer-track-if-youve-used-the-same-resume-cover-letter-for-multiple-jobs/) **Published:** May 19, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Can an employer track if you have used the same resume and cover letter for multiple job applications? **Content:** # Can an Employer Track If You’ve Used The Same Resume/Cover Letter for Multiple Jobs? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Can an employer track if you have used the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) for multiple [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/)? Another question I received was, “Can an employer track if you’ve used the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) for multiple [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/)?” Certainly in their system that they they can. Certainly in theirs. So, you know, if you’re just generically sending the same [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) for every job, whether it’s a similar job or a dissimilar job. Uh, I remember [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) someone from my other podcast I dis I I um I discontinued many years ago. Uh, and he was a search professional working with one of the large accounting firms or a hospital. I don’t remember which one it was. And what he said to me was that if we start to notice that a person is submitting their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to lots of different [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) in lots of different fields, we can block them as a [quote](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) “serial applier.” Oh, a serial applier! Oh, the horrors. But they’re trying to save themselves time, so they can see in their system that you’ve applied multiple times. Of course they can. They can see that you’re [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for things that don’t relate to your background also. So, don’t make that [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Don’t keep spamming your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and thinking you’re gonna get a different result. Always tailor your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to demonstrate your fit for the role. If you’re [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) for a a a programming position and an orderly job at a hospital, how does that work? You don’t have the skills in one of these, or both. So, the long and short of it is, don’t fool around with this stuff. Yes, they do track it, they do block people. It’s not worth it. [***That’s Just The Way I Am***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9B1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Applicant Tracking System, Applications, Applying for a Job, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Text --- ### [Using AI for Job Search: Stop the Friction](https://thebiggamehunter.us/using-ai-for-job-search-stop-the-friction/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode forces you to look at your calendar and choose the AI tech tier that actually fits your life so you can start landing interviews today. **Content:** # Using AI for Job Search: Stop the Friction **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3150 Stop blasting out [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and getting ghosted. Most job hunters waste more time “researching” [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools than actually [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) them; this episode forces you to look at your calendar and choose the tech tier that actually fits your life so you can start landing [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) today. Welcome to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. If you’re exhausted from blasting out [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and hearing nothing back, [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a path to automate the repetitive parts of the search and get your time back. But there’s a new problem. With dozens of new [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) writers and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) generators launching every day, simply figuring out which software to use can actually drain more of your week than manually filling out [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/). This funnel shows a traditional job hunt, highlighting the three bottlenecks where [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/) gets trapped. First, at the top, you lose hundreds of hours just scouring job boards to find roles fitting your skills and [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) needs. Then, in the middle, you get stuck rewriting your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullets to align with specific keywords of every job description. Finally, at the bottom, you write custom [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), leaving a tiny trickle of actual submitted [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) to show for all that manual work. You’ll hear plenty of influencers claim they’ve found the single perfect tool to fix all of this. That tool does not exist. The most effective [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) strategy requires an honest look at your own schedule. You have to match the complexity of the software to your current technical comfort level and the actual hours you have available to spend setting it up. Picking the right tier of [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is the only way to avoid trading job [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) fatigue for software management fatigue. Let’s break down the three tiers. Tier one is for the time-poor job seeker. If you’re working a full-time job and [applying](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stop-applying-cold-target-high-growth-companies-direct/) to roles on your lunch break, you’ll want to look at off-the-shelf SaaS tools like Teal, Jobscan, or [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/).io. These are paid products. You’ll typically need to spend between $15 and $40 a month for a premium subscription to unlock their [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) features. The setup requires almost zero effort. [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) You spend about five minutes uploading your standard base [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) into their system and you’re ready to go. This matrix evaluates each option. For tier one, setup time is low while financial cost sits in the middle. The platform gives basic [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) keyword alignment, putting personalization quality at a low to medium level. They generate broad [cover letters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/), requiring very low technical skill. But that convenience comes with a heavy trade-off. Because the software handles all the heavy lifting behind the scenes using pre-built templates, your final [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) will look and read exactly like the [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) of every other candidate using that same platform. You miss out on deep granular personalization. Tier one forces a clear compromise. You spend money to gain speed, sacrificing nuanced personalization so you can get [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) out the door today. Tier two targets the strategic optimizer. If you want highly tailored [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) but don’t want to learn how to code, building custom GPTs is your sweet spot. You will need a premium subscription to an LLM like [ChatGPT](https://thebiggamehunter.us/writing-resumes-and-cover-letters-with-chatgpt-shorts/) or Clod, usually around $20, and you’ll have to dedicate roughly 30 to 60 minutes to set up your workstays. That time is spent writing detailed system instructions. You tell the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) exactly how to act, give it your personal framework for formatting [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) bullets, and set strict rules for what it can and cannot say. Back on our matrix, tier two requires medium setup time but keeps recurring costs low. Because the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) references your permanent [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) file and follows your rules, personalization quality is high. It generates hyper-personalized materials in minutes, requiring a medium level of technical skill. You do have to endure a learning curve. The [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) will make [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) early on, and you’ll need to troubleshoot those hallucinations by tweaking your prompts until it reliably gives you what you want. That initial hour of setup pays for itself quickly. Once the prompt is dialed in, you reclaim 10 hours a week that used to disappear into manual [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) edits. Tier two requires a moderate initial time investment, but it gives you a highly competitive customized [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) loop without paying for individual [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) software. Tier three is for the systems architect. If you want the machine to do the hunting for you, you are looking at full agentic automation. The upfront friction here is severe. You will spend weeks watching tutorials and learning how to use node-based automation platforms like N8n to build your workflows. You have to manually connect the wiring between multiple services, pulling in API keys from Cloud, OpenAI, and your Gmail account so they can communicate with each other. You also need to build a secondary database in a tool like Notion to store, organize, and track all the data your system pulls in. Looking at the matrix, tier three demands extreme setup time with variable low cost. [***Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oTa) Because the engine automatically scores open roles against your personal values and identifies specific [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) contacts, personalization is extreme. However, this requires an extreme level of technical skill. When it works, you wake up, open your inbox, and find fully drafted, highly targeted [job applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) waiting for your final review before sending. But if one API key expires or a website changes its formatting, the entire workflow breaks. Your job hunt completely stalls until you fix the code. Even with that risk, it completely removes the decision fatigue and manual data entry that burned so many candidates out. Tier three shifts your effort from doing daily manual [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) to maintaining a complex technical engine. It pays off heavily, but only if you have the unemployed hours required to actually build it. It’s easy to look at complex [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) systems online and feel paralyzed, assuming you’re doing the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) wrong if you aren’t writing code. But if you only plan to send out three or four [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) a week, overengineering an autonomous workflow is a massive waste of your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). This flowchart organizes the decision around your actual constraints. To pick the right tool, you just need to identify your current situation. If you are currently employed, strapped for time, and need to start submitting [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) immediately, follow path A and stick to the tier one SaaS platforms. If you are targeting highly competitive roles where deep personalization matters, take path B. Block off a weekend, refine your prompts, and build tier two custom GPTs. And if you are out of work, comfortable with tech, and want to turn your job hunt into a hard skill you can put on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), take path C and invest in tier three agentic workflows. For more breakdowns on how to leverage these tools, along with free content, [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), and resources, head over to jobsearch.community. The right tool is whichever one actually removes friction from your day rather than adding another layer of software management to your schedule. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** Using AI for Job Search: Stop the Friction --- ### [Many Employers Have Already Caught On #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/many-employers-have-already-caught-on-shorts/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** They can spot what you're doing. **Content:** # Many Employers Have Already Caught On #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** ***[Click here if the video does not play properly](https://youtube.com/shorts/kExFXEl09cQ)*** They can spot what you’re doing. ***[How Do You Create a Positive First Impression?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kic)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Long Should You Stay in a Job You Hate?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iMg)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, ChatGPT/AI **Tags:** Many Employers Have Already Caught On --- ### [Over 50? Updating a Resume? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/over-50-updating-a-resume-shorts/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Avoid this classic mistake older workers make. **Content:** # Over 50? Updating a Resume? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/dzRZ4uLSIPo) Avoid this classic [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) older workers make. ***[You may also like, “I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted”](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) 3100 episodes. ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Resume Advice, Over 50 **Tags:** Over 50? Updating a Resume? --- ### [Tough Interview Questions: Solve This Problem](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tough-interview-questions-solve-this-problem-2/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** The ability to solve this problem is one of the leading predictors of success on the job. **Content:** # Tough Interview Questions: Solve This Problem **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** This comes from an article in HBR.org. The article is called, “7 Rules for Job [Interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Questions That Result In Great Hires.” in the article, Dr. John Sullivan points out that there are [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) firms make with [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/). He encourages people to recognize that the ability to solve this problem is one of the leading predictors of [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) on the job. So, he poses this question. Provide them with a description of an actual problem that they will face on their 1st day. “*Walk me through the broad steps that you would take to solve the problem*.” Before asking this question, before the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), the interviewer has taken some time to identify certain basic expectations they have for answering the question. So, for example, it’s important to recognize that an individual would gather data, consult with the team or the customer, identify [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) metrics, and such. Another thing I tend to think of is that this is a variation of the case study [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) question, except your face to face with the case. As a result, think in terms of asking about the resources that you have available to them. How large a budget exists? All the meta-questions that define the terrain for yourself in stepping into this new solution. So, for example, as I said, in the article, they talk about gathering data, consulting with the team and customers, identifying [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/) metrics, what kind of budget, what’s the timeframe for work, who are the people I’m working with, do they tend to be open or closed in how they communicate. There are lots of different things that, from a case study, you need to draw in from then in order to answer the question well. So, I just want to remind you don’t forget that has these questions and then start looking at solutions and options. But, the goal from their standpoint is to get a sense of how you think, how you can impact their bottom line, how you can help this department be more effective. You can’t do that unless you know more and that’s really what this is designed to accomplish. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2020 ***[How Do You Create a Positive First Impression?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kic)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) *[**Career Coach Office Hours: July 9 2024**](https://youtube.com/live/ErfqP3phWas)* **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Long Should You Stay in a Job You Hate?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-iMg)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Text, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** Solve this problem --- ### [Resumes Are Advertisements](https://thebiggamehunter.us/resumes-are-advertisements/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Most job hunters treat their resume like a participation trophy. Resumes have one purpose. **Content:** # Resumes Are Advertisements Most job hunters treat their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) like a participation trophy. They think that if they list everything they’ve ever done, someone will eventually reward them with a [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/). **Wrong.** A [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) has one job: To get a total stranger to stop looking at a screen and say, “I need to talk to this person before my competition does.” Here are the 10 moves for you to get results from your ad. ## 1. Cut the Career Novel (The 6-Second Rule) [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) don’t read; they skim. If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is a three-page manifesto, you’ve already lost. - **The Shift:** If you can’t prove you’re the solution in two pages (or one, if you’re junior), you don’t understand the job well enough. Every line must justify its existence. If it doesn’t scream “I can solve your problem,” delete it. ## 2. Lead With Results, Not Responsibilities “Responsible for…” is the language of a clerk. It describes what you were *told* to do, not what you actually *did*. - **The Shift:** Use the $Impact = Result + Context$ formula. - *Instead of:* “Managed a team of 5.” - *Use:* “Architected a workflow for a team of 5 that slashed project turnaround time by $30\\%$ over 6 months.” - Business is a game of numbers. If you don’t have numbers, you don’t have a story. ## 3. Kill the Objective Statement “Seeking a challenging role…” is the most selfish sentence in the English language. The employer doesn’t care what *you* want; they care what *they* need. - **The Shift:** Replace it with a **Professional Profile**. This is your 15-second “elevator pitch” in text. It should identify the “pain” you fix and the “value” you bring. “I am the person who fixesProblem X using Method Y ## 4. Tailor or Fail Sending a generic [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is like using a fishing net with giant holes in it—you might catch something, but it’ll be by accident. - **The Level 8 Shift:** You aren’t just matching keywords for a robot (the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)). You are matching the *language* of the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager. If they call it “Customer Success” and you call it “Account Management,” you look like an outsider to them. Speak their dialect. ## 5. Deploy Power Verbs “Helped,” “Assisted,” and “Participated” are “vague-speak.” They signal that you were in the room, but someone else did the heavy lifting. - **The Shift:** Use verbs that denote **Ownership**. “Orchestrated,” “Engineered,” “Captured,” “Negotiated.” You want to sound like the person who drove the bus, not the person looking out the window. ## 6. Scannability is Your Secret Weapon If a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) has to hunt for your phone number or your most recent job title, they’ll just move to the next file. - **The Shift:** Design for the “F-Pattern” scan. Use bold headers, clean bullet points, and plenty of white space. A “pretty” [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) with complex columns often chokes the [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). Keep it simple so the human AND the machine can both find the gold. ## 7. Dominate the Top Third The “Above the Fold” rule from newspapers applies here. If the top third of the first page doesn’t hook them, the rest of the document is irrelevant. - **The Shift:** Your most impressive metric, your most relevant skill, and your “Solution Statement” must all live in this real estate. This is where you make the “No BS” case for your hireability. ## 8. Modernize Your Skillset Listing “Microsoft Office” in 2024 is like listing “Can use a telephone.” It’s expected; it’s not a differentiator. - **The Shift:** Focus on the “Force Multipliers.” What tools make you faster, smarter, or more profitable than the next person? If it’s not relevant to the *next* job, it’s clutter. ## 9. Illustrate Progression (The Upward Trajectory) [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) aren’t just [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) who you are; they are betting on who you are becoming. - **The Shift:** Frame every job change or internal move as an “Expansion of Scope.” Even if your title didn’t change, show how the *complexity* of the problems you solved increased. You aren’t a static asset; you’re an appreciating one. ## 10. The Zero-Tolerance Proofread A typo isn’t just a misspelling; it’s a signal that you don’t care about the details. If you can’t handle a two-page document about yourself, why should they trust you with a multimillion-dollar budget? - **The Shift:** Read it backward. Read it out loud. Give it to a “brutally honest” friend. One error is an “Unforced Error,” and in the Big Game, that gets you benched. ### The Hunter’s Bonus: Integrity is Your Brand Don’t lie. Don’t “stretch.” A reputation takes years to build and 5 minutes to destroy. Focus on your *real* wins, and present them with the [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) of someone who knows exactly what they are worth. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** No BS Resume Advice, Text --- ### [Disagreement #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/disagreement/) **Published:** May 17, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Short Thoughts. Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We're On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We'll Feel Good If You Do. **Content:** # Disagreement **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/_d9YFEXbF-E) Short [Thoughts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-dangerous-thought-that-will-sabotage-your-job-search-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). Art That Has to Do With Living Life. Tell Us We’re On the Right Track By Liking Our Videos. We’ll Feel Good If You Do. [***How Far Can You Go?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-fLB) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Art **Tags:** Art, Disagreement, Random Thoughts, Short Thoughts --- ### [Why Is It Important to Follow Up in a Timely Way? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-is-it-important-to-follow-up-in-a-timely-way-shorts/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Why is it important to promptly follow up with a company after an interview? **Content:** # Why Is It Important to Follow Up in a Timely Way? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/NezzPj2gASA) Why is it important to promptly [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) with a company after an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/)? ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Follow Up **Tags:** Why Is It Important to Follow Up in a Timely Way? --- ### [Tell Me About Yourself #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/tell-me-about-yourself-shorts/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Jack Kelly wrote this for Forbes. It gives a high-level perspective on how to answer the question. **Content:** # Tell Me About Yourself **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/H0KSQvs8sLk) Jack Kelly wrote this for Forbes. It gives a high-level perspective on how to answer the question. ***[Using AI in Your Job Search](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k17)*** When the interviewer asks, tell me about yourself, what they’re really asking you is, “Tell me about what you do at your job and why your background is right for this.” This opens the door for you to sell your background, skills, education, talents, current and past responsibilities to prove that you can do all that’s required for this new position. Walk the interviewer through your daily responsibilities, projects you are proud of working on, and some of your previous roles. Avoid going back more than 10 years. You should also add details about your education, interests, and remember, everything you say should relate to the position you’re [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for. Share only positive things. There’s no need to list your faults. There’s a lot more [JobSearch.Community](JobSearch.Community) [***The Warning Sign of a Problem or That They Aren’t Sure***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ic2) ### ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site, ⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠ Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): ⁠ ⁠Resume & [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile critiques⁠ ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Categories:** #Shorts, Text, Tough Interview Questions **Tags:** How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself", interview questions, interview questions and answers, job interview questions, job interview questions and answers, Tell me about yourself, tough interview questions and answers --- ### [Your Career #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-shorts/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Kevin Kermes shared a simple statement on LinkedIn worth sharing **Content:** # **Your Career** **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** @KevinKermes1 shared a simple statement on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) worth sharing [Your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) is your responsibility, not your employer’s. [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***A Tip for a Successful Video Interview***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mjC) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles, Career Coaching **Tags:** career advice, Career Angles, career management, Jeff Altman --- ### [Stupid Interview Mistakes: TMI & Seeming Angry](https://thebiggamehunter.us/stupid-interview-mistakes-tmi-seeming-angry-video/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** In this video, I talk about two complementary poisons that cost people jobs--sharing too much information and appearing angry. **Content:** # Stupid Interview Mistakes: TMI & Seeming Angry **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In this video, I talk about two complementary poisons that cost people jobs–sharing too much information and appearing angry. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I coach people and organizations to play big. And I’m continuing my series on stupid [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), and I wasn’t quite sure how to accurately express this in a title, so I just decided to throw both of them in together. So, this is the stupid [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) of TMI, or too much information, and appearing angry, which to me, they go hand in hand with one another. You see, maybe you got [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/) or [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) from a job. Maybe it’s you work at a place where you’re the outsider and everyone else kind of keeps you aside, or you don’t get along with your boss, or whatever the reason is. You’re in a situation that you’re angry and frustrated about, and you start going off on these, you know, answering questions with way too much detail too, that no one really cares about, and it just gives people the idea that, “Hey, this guy’s weird,” you know? “Uh, I’m not sure I really want them around,” you know what I mean? So the result winds up being you talk yourself out of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/), which often happens with veteran individuals where their [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) or their anger about getting [laid off](https://thebiggamehunter.us/laid-off-at-a-company-that-has-announced-cuts-of-poor-performers-shorts/), in particular, is so poisonous to their landing the next situation. It’s like you go out on an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), it’s too soon after the layoff has taken place and you wear your heart on your sleeves. Or, you got into a fight with your boss and, “I’m mad, and let me tell you on the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) what it is that this person did to me, that they’re wrong and I’m right.” Who wants to hear it? You’ve got to, you know, put aside any anger or heartbreak that you have about losing a job or being in a situation that isn’t working for you. You have to bring the story down to the facts and talk about them in a way that’s very casual and it doesn’t reveal quite as much as this vulnerability does. So just remember, the next firm hears that kind of stuff and wonders who the loose cannon is. And frankly, since you’re sounding like it, the likelihood is they’re going to decide it’s you since they don’t have any countervailing evidence to offset it. So just hold back. You’re just going to hurt yourself and damage your prospects with a firm. I hope you found this helpful. And again, I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). If you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me because you’re a senior professional and you believe, you know, for some reason the [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) isn’t going right, email me at jeffaltman@thebiggamehunter.us. In the subject line, put the word “coaching” so I know what it’s about. And if you’re not a senior professional, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) place is jobsearchcoachinghq.com where I [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) curated information that I’ve developed and others have as well that’ll help you find work more quickly. Have a great day. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** TMI, too much information --- ### [Going for a Signing Bonus](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-for-a-signing-bonus/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** The offer is close or there is a problem that money will make go away, under what conditions will a company be more responsive to a signing bonus. **Content:** # Going for a Signing Bonus **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** The [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is close or there is a problem that money will make go away, under what conditions will a company be more responsive to a signing bonus. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [the Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I’m a [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coach who helps people be more effective in their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/), managing and leading teams, overall being more effective in the workplace. Now, this is a show, this is a video, where I want to talk with you about signing bonuses, because, frankly, in good labor markets, these are golden times to go for a bonus. Now, there tend to be three situations where firms are more generous with their bonus. Number one, you’re walking away from an annual bonus. Maybe you’re a senior professional, maybe you’re a junior, doesn’t really matter. But, you know, it’s a month or two away from bonus time. The fourth quarter of the year, bonus time. Christmas bonus, annual bonus, however your firm describes it, this bonus is coming. And of course you don’t want to leave it. You’ve got money coming you’ve been working so hard for, for so long. What do you do? You know, I’d have to leave behind, you know, a bonus. How much was your bonus? Well, the previous year my bonus was X, but this year I’m expecting X plus Y because we’ve had a better year, yada yada yada. Okay, and that becomes part of the negotiation. Now, if… there were times when I was still doing search where people had been out of work for a while and they’d say, well in whatever two years ago was—or I’m sorry, it wasn’t that they were out of work for a while, it’s that their firm hadn’t done well in the previous year. So there was no bonus. So I’m just going to pick two dates at random. In 2018 I received a bonus of X number of dollars. How about 2019? Zero. Well, no bonus for them. So the likelihood of you getting a signing bonus to make up for the lost bonus . . . they’re not going to do that because your own firm didn’t give you that bonus, got it? But for many of you, you’re leaving a bonus behind, and that becomes a negotiating tool. Number two is when times are good, it’s a differentiator between one firm or another. And as such, if the money’s close, there’s one of two ways you can approach it. Number one is you go for an increase in [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) to get you to say yes. Number two is you go for a signing bonus. The advantage of one is the increase in [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) is baked into every [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) you get from that point on for the rest of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). So for the next five years, again I’m going to pick a simple number, $100,000 and they make it 105 or 110, and you get a 3% [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/), it doesn’t sound like a lot, but every [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) is baked into the higher [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). In contrast, if they gave you a $10,000 bonus, it has more of an impact today. So whichever way you’re more comfortable with it, go for that approach. But clearly when markets are good, firms are giving signing bonuses for people at all levels of the spectrum. ***[Be Prepared to Walk Away from a Job Offer](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k6s)*** And the third situation, which tends to be more for junior or less experienced people, is in terms of helping with a relocation. Now when they think relo, they’re thinking of the big ticket relo. We’re packing up your house, we’re moving it across the country, they’re doing that kind of a relo. But for less experienced people, they’ve got the contents of an apartment and they need a U-Haul truck and a couple of friends to pack it on both ends. And that kind of thing often is the kind of signing bonus ”I remember when I was working with consulting firms that would want someone to move from New Jersey to Florida, Florida to Naperville, Naperville to New Jersey. You know, it was a pretty common bonus and there were conditions applied to it. It could only be for moving expenses and you need to provide receipts for it as well. And it sounds quirky because it’s obviously a relocation thing that they’re calling a signing bonus. Those are three instances that are easy to go for. Hope you found this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Visit my website, [thebiggamehunter.us](thebiggamehunter.us), where I’ve got thousands of posts that you can watch, listen to, or read that will help you find work more quickly. In addition, if you’re interested in one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from me that can include help with a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation. I obviously charge for that, of course. ”but help with a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation, critiquing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, preparing you for [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) (first, second, third, wherever you are in the cycle), helping you with your [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) to help you get better… Again, at my website, you can schedule time with me for one-on-one [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), or if you’re at the beginning of your search and you want my help throughout the entire process, we can schedule a free discovery call so we can figure out if this makes sense. Lastly, if you’re watching on YouTube, in the lower right-hand corner you’ll notice a small icon. Click on that so you can subscribe to my channel, get notified whenever I release something new. I hope you have a great day today. Take care. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a strategic advisory call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* Website: [www.JobSearch.Community ](http://www.JobSearch.Community)(schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free strategic advisory call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator.* **Categories:** Salary/Comp Negotiation, Text **Tags:** bonus, Going for a Signing Bonus, Negotiating, negotiation, sign on bonus, signing bonus --- ### [Decoding the Headhunter’s Agenda](https://thebiggamehunter.us/decoding-the-headhunters-agenda/) **Published:** May 14, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3149 Stop treating headhunters like your personal talent agents; they don't work for you, they work for the corporation. **Content:** # Decoding the Headhunter’s Agenda **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3149 Stop treating executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) like your personal talent agents; they don’t work for you, they work for the corporation. This episode strips away the mystery of the “hidden” job market and explains the specific sourcing logic used by top-tier headhunters. If you want a seat at the C-suite table, you need to stop acting like a candidate and start acting like a strategic partner. [***The Sovereign Career: Navigating the Marathon***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oZ6) You have a polished track record, you speak at conferences, and your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile is optimized. Yet, top [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) aren’t returning your calls. This [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) often stems from missing [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/). At the senior executive level, many of the most lucrative and challenging positions are never posted to public job boards. These confidential high-level roles are exclusively controlled by executive [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). They manage the entry point to the C-suite for their client organizations. To reach these roles, you have to understand the specific sourcing logic headhunters use. Most active job seekers misread the incentives that drive a recruiter’s decision-making. The tension exists because candidates often act transactionally, asking the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) to find them a job. However, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) is bound by a strict corporate mandate to solve a specific problem for the employer. If your approach doesn’t align with those professional incentives, you risk being categorized as a non-viable candidate before a search even begins. Many leaders struggle because they view the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) as a personal talent agent. This assumes the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) exists to market you to potential [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/). In the talent agent model, you are the client. Agents market you to maximize income. In retained search, the structure is inverted. Corporations are the sole clients, paying a direct retainer. The recruiter’s loyalty is strictly to the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) organization. ***[The Recruiter Mindset: The Ultimate Guide to Working with Executive Search Recruiters](https://amzn.to/3O2R7Ih)*** Retained [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) handle specific mandates exclusively. They will not cross-market your candidate file to multiple companies while you are under consideration. You should avoid practitioners who promise hidden job access in exchange for large upfront fees. Legitimate [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are paid by the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) firm, never you. When you stop expecting individual representation, you can engage with [search firms](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) as a strategic partner. Understanding the recruiter’s client-first focus explains why cold [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) uploads are frequently ignored. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) prioritize high-level relationships over database volume. This relationship-driven approach follows Dunbar’s number, the anthropological theory that humans can only maintain roughly 150 stable relationships. For a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/), this 150-person limit is their most guarded resource. Elite [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) rely on this inner circle for [referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) and candidates. They protect this limit fiercely, which creates a barrier for the thousands of external [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) that arrive every month. If you reach out only when you need a job, you are often flagged as a transactional contact. In a world of finite relationship capacity, transactional requests are usually discarded to make room for peers and sources. To enter that inner circle, you have to be helpful when you aren’t looking for a move. When a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) calls to ask for a recommendation or market insight, take the call. By sharing objective market intelligence or nuanced observations about industry trends, you provide the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) with high-value search data. When you recommend other high-quality candidates for their current mandates, you help them succeed. This moves you from a passive file to a trusted industry source. Consistently acting as a referrer and an advisor is how you eventually breach the Dunbar number barrier. This strategy requires a long-term investment in mutual [success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/job-hunting-is-hard-quitting-is-easy-success-is-earned/). You give your time now so that you are the first person they call when a matching executive mandate eventually opens. The dynamic changes once you are officially vetted for a specific search. As their lead candidate, your relationship moves from discovery to partnership. Since the recruiter’s income depends on a successful hire, they are motivated to help you prepare. They want to ensure you present yourself in the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) light to their client. You should use this time to extract information the company won’t put in a handbook. Ask about culture quirks, why the position became vacant, and the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) manager’s priorities. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) can also provide the true compensation ranges and the organization’s actual stance on flexible work arrangements before you meet the board or the CEO. Remember that while they help you prepare, they are also assessing your professional demeanor for the client. They are looking for leadership attributes that go beyond your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [***A Recruiter’s Truly Simple Guide to Stop F\*cking Up When Job Searching & Interviewing***](https://amzn.to/4tgQDh0) If you appear high-maintenance or overly aggressive during these early talks, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) may warn the client that you are a cultural risk, effectively ending your candidacy. If you treat the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) as a collaborative buffer, they can handle the difficult negotiations and provide a channel for [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) that clarifies the employer’s needs. Tactical execution depends on your current situation and how quickly you need to make a move. If you are an active searcher, perhaps you’re currently unemployed or in an urgent transition, you need to shift your focus. Retained searches can take months. Active searchers should target contingency firms, use their personal networks, and apply directly to corporate human resources departments for more immediate results. For active searchers, optimizing your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile determines whether you appear in a recruiter’s initial screening. Use exact titles like chief financial officer rather than vague leadership descriptions to ensure you show up in Boolean searches. Then there is the passive strategist. This is the leader who is currently employed but looking for a specific high-level [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) leap. These leaders should identify search partners specializing in their domain. They engage with the recruiter’s insights and build long-term rapport as an industry source without asking for immediate favors. Keep in mind that [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) in retained search is rarely personal. These firms are looking for a perfect fit dictated by the client’s strategy, not just a qualified candidate. Maintaining professional courtesy when you don’t get the role ensures you remain a viable prospect in their database for the next appropriate mandate. So that’s today’s show. I hope you found it helpful. Here are a few more ways to get advice. Visit [jobsearch.community](http://jobsearch.community) where [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), offers [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) as well as an enormous amount of content to help you. If you become an insider at any level, you get access to all of his content as well. These are video courses, books, and guides designed to help you throughout your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) so you don’t have to figure things out on your own. With that plus [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) from him, you will land more quickly. You can also purchase individual books, courses, and guides from him if you prefer not to be in his insider programs. Again, that website is jobsearch.community. Have a terrific day and be great! ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. **[*Win the Interview in 5 Minutes*](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pcdfddSRL1zVlXoG8aQFK)** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, Recruiters, Text **Tags:** Decoding the Headhunter’s Agenda --- ### [Win the Interview in 5 Minutes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/win-the-interview-in-5-minutes/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3148 This episode breaks down a high-performance 3-part script that shifts you from a passive applicant to an active negotiator. **Content:** # Win the Interview in 5 Minutes **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3148 Most job hunters wing their [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) and wonder why they aren’t getting offers. This episode breaks down a high-performance 3-part script that shifts you from a passive applicant to an active negotiator. Learn how to uncover an employer’s real needs and pivot your experience to solve them instantly. Professional athletes practice every single day, but most job hunters walk into an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/), hear a question, and answer for the very first time. That trial and error approach leads to fumbled sentences, awkward pauses, and missed opportunities. In the next six minutes, we are going to fix that. Grab a pen and a piece of paper. We are going to build your customized three-part [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) script. Putting a structural framework on paper before you ever step foot in the room removes the guesswork. It turns you from a passive applicant hoping to get packed into an active negotiator. Step one happens the moment you sit down, right after the initial pleasantries. Before the interviewer asks you anything, you need to find out what they actually want. Most written job descriptions are only about 80% accurate. They are often reused from older postings and rarely updated. If you base your answers solely on that document, you are flying blind. Thanks so much for making time to speak with me. Would you tell me about the job as you see it and what I can do to help? Asking this question first forces the interviewer to tell you exactly what is top of mind today, filling in the missing 20%. You now have a targeted cheat sheet for the rest of the conversation. Instead of guessing what matters to them, you can tailor every subsequent answer to the specific problem they just told you they need solved. Once you have their answer, the interviewer will almost certainly ask, tell me about yourself. The default reaction for most people is to nervously recite their entire chronological work history. We are going to script a two-part formula instead. This diagram shows how it works. You start with a tight 20-second overview of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), and then you immediately transition into a pivot. For part two, write down this exact bridge phrase. But what’s probably most relevant about my background for this position is, from there, complete the sentence by repeating the exact needs the interviewer gave you moments ago. By feeding their own requirements right back to them, you stop making them work to figure out if you fit the role. You prove instantly that you are the exact solution to their immediate problem. Next, the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/) will shift to behavioral questions. These are the prompts asking for specific examples of your past work. This matrix shows three frameworks you can use to outline your stories based on [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) level. Use STAR for entry-level roles, SOAR for experienced positions, and PAR if you are in leadership. Whichever framework you choose for part three of your script, your written outline must dedicate the vast majority of its focus to the action you took and the result you achieved. Now put a hard timer on your story. It must take no longer than one minute and 15 seconds to say out loud. We live in a short attention span culture. If your answer drags past 75 seconds, the interviewer stops paying attention and thinks about their next meeting. To keep it tight and avoid sounding like a rehearsed robot, apply the talk to your brother rule. Read your drafted story out loud to yourself. Edit the words until you sound like you are casually explaining how you solved a tough problem to a smart friend or sibling. Delivering a perfectly timed conversational story demonstrates high-level communication. It proves your competence while keeping the listener fully engaged. Look at your page. You now have an opening question to uncover their needs, a tailored pivot for your introduction, and a strictly timed story framework. Add one final safety net question to the bottom of your paper to ask as the meeting wraps up. Is there anything you’ve heard or not heard that gives you a reason to hesitate about my being qualified for this role? Interviewers are human. They get distracted or ask unclear questions. This gives you a final opportunity to clarify your experience and erase any lingering doubts before they make a decision. The script is written. Your last step is to practice saying it out loud over and over until the words become pure muscle memory. Doing this work ahead of time eliminates the [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) of winging it. You replace desperation with the kind of unshakable [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) that makes an employer trust you and ultimately hire you. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. **[*Networking Like a Leader*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ)** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Verbal Job Offers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Interviews, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** Win the Interview in 5 Minutes --- ### [The Sovereign Career: Navigating the Marathon](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-sovereign-career-navigating-the-marathon/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3147 In a rapidly changing economic landscape, the traditional 40-year career path is no longer sustainable for those living into their 90s **Content:** # The Sovereign Career: Navigating the Marathon **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3147 In a rapidly changing economic landscape, the traditional 40-year [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) path is no longer sustainable for those living into their 90s. This video outlines a strategic shift from being a managed employee to a high-impact advisor, focusing on decoupling income from time and leveraging professional wisdom to ensure long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) sovereignty. The deal you signed was simple. Work hard, climb the corporate ladder, secure a director title by 45, and coast to retirement. But the math behind that deal has collapsed. Medical science and longevity trends suggest you will likely live well into your 90s. You simply cannot fund a 30-year retirement with a 40-year [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). The professional timeline has stretched. We are no longer running a 40-year sprint. We are running a 60-year marathon. Many professionals reach a senior level and freeze. They enter an inertia zone, believing their university degree and their senior title act as a suit of armor against market disruption. Clinging to that traditional timeline doesn’t [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) security. It leaves you economically fragile and entirely exposed the moment an algorithm or a restructuring targets your [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). When the layoff happens, the default reaction is to update the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and start clicking Easy Apply on digital job boards. But those systems are built by HR gatekeepers to find reasons to say no. To a bot, your decades of experience represent a high [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and a massive benefits load. You are filtered out as an expensive liability before a human ever sees your name. Competing solely on technical skills, like operating software or managing a budget, reduces you to a [commodity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-commodity-trap/). You are inviting the company to compare your price against a younger worker or a cheap [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) subscription. Participating in this system as a job seeker is a suicide mission for your morale. The digital black hole is designed to reject high-priced problem solvers, not welcome them. To survive, you have to stop being an employee and start operating as a company of one. You aren’t looking for a job. You are pitching a strategic service contract to an anchor client. While an employee is managed by a boss and focuses on assigned tasks, an advisor is managed by results and strategy. Look at the bottom. Employees are paid for time. Advisors are paid for their economic impact across the entire market. This alters your posture in every meeting. Employees sit in offices asking permission to act. Consultants diagnose the company’s pain points and provide immediate solutions. Repositioning yourself this way changes your relationship with the firm. You move from a budget line item that can be cut to a strategic partner that the company cannot afford to lose. Skills tell a client how to do something, but they depreciate fast. Wisdom tells a client whether they should do it at all. As technical labor becomes automated, your judgment is the only asset that gains value. To prove that value, you must conduct a value audit, a deep diagnostic of the last 15 years, to uncover your hidden return on investment. Every high-level intervention you’ve ever made falls into one of three buckets—generating revenue, avoiding massive costs, or mitigating catastrophic risks. This reveals your delta—the hard mathematical difference between what it costs to employ you and the financial value your [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) creates. If you cannot quantify your wisdom into specific dollars saved or risks avoided, you remain a target. In a disruptive economy, companies don’t hire applicants. They hire solutions to expensive problems. You must abandon generalist titles like operations director. Instead, you find your [onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), becoming the only choice for a specific mess, like an M&A integration [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) for European fintechs. You build a trust web around this niche by spending 80% of your time giving. You solve problems for peers and share market intel, prepaying for access long before you ever need a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/). [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) We are ending the era of the informational [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/). Asking to pick someone’s brain signals that you are an amateur with nothing to trade. You replace it with the intelligence briefing. You sit down with a decision-maker, a direct buyer, and trade market data. You [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) an insight about a regulatory shift or a competitor’s failure, and in exchange, they reveal the bottlenecks they are actually losing sleep over. By defining an exact niche and trading actionable intelligence, you bypass HR gatekeepers entirely. You enter the room as an expected authority, not an applicant. When you secure the executive meeting, the power dynamic flips. You aren’t there to be vetted. You are there to perform a high-stakes diagnostic. You lead with questions that uncover the true cost of their unsolved liabilities. You are evaluating whether the company’s internal mess represents a project worth your specific expertise. Elite professionals use strategic silence to control the room. If a CEO low-balls the rate, you don’t get defensive. You simply stop talking, letting the silence demonstrate that you are perfectly willing to walk away. This level of control requires meticulous rehearsal. Great athletes practice seven days a week. You must practice the right answers until the performance is flawless. Controlling the frame of the conversation completely shifts your status. You stop being a beggar seeking a paycheck and become a savior offering a lifeline. Eventually, you reach an economic realization. Top-tier organizations do not actually need your physical [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) for 40 hours a week to solve their biggest problems. You transition to a [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) advisory model. You sell five hours of high-impact judgment to prevent a $10 million catastrophe, rather than selling 40 hours of operational attendance. Decoupling your income from your time allows you to scale your wealth and protect your [energy](https://thebiggamehunter.us/get-your-energy-up-shorts/). You share in the value created, rather than the clock you punch. Transforming from an internal expense to be managed into an external asset to be consulted is the ultimate victory. It guarantees your relevance, your income, and your control over the entire 60-year marathon. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. ***[Master Executive Branding: A Guide for C Suite Professionals](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oJc)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[Verbal Job Offers](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Branding, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, Text **Tags:** The Sovereign Career: Navigating the Marathon --- ### [Should Your LinkedIn Profile Be Different from Your Resume and Cover Letter?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-your-linkedin-profile-be-different-from-your-resume-and-cover-letter/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Is it necessary for your LinkedIn profile to be different from your resume and cover letter, or can you simply copy and paste the same information into each document? **Content:** # Should Your LinkedIn Profile Be Different from Your Resume and Cover Letter? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/aS_I_vRItss) Is it necessary for your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile to be different from your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and [cover letter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/), or can you simply copy and paste the same information into each document? [***That’s Just The Way I Am***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9B1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, LinkedIn, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Should Your LinkedIn Profile Be Different from Your Resume and Cover Letter? --- ### [Surviving the ATS Parser](https://thebiggamehunter.us/surviving-the-ats-parser/) **Published:** May 15, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** In the market for more experienced professionals, the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a data parser to be optimized. **Content:** # Surviving the ATS Parser **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** In the market for more experienced professionals, the [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) ([ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)) is not a gatekeeper to be “tricked.”It is a **data parser** to be optimized. For a college-educated professional, the [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/) of the “black box” [rejection](https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobsearchagram-rejection-2/) is rarely a reflection of your qualifications; it is a failure of your document’s structural integrity. Recently, I discussed the **Signal-to-Noise Ratio** and how to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build high-resolution outreach. Today, we move into the technical “Last Mile”: ensuring your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)** survives the machine’s extraction process so it actually reaches a human decision-maker. ### 1. Structural Fluidity: Designing for Machine Readability Most rejections happen because the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) parser couldn’t translate your layout into its database. When a machine encounters a complex layout, it often reads horizontally across the entire page, scrambling your job titles, dates, and achievements into a nonsensical string of text. - **The Goal:** Create a “flat” document that allows for 100% extraction accuracy. - **The Logic:** Avoid headers, footers, tables, and multi-column layouts. While these are visually engaging for humans, they act as “noise” to a machine. - **The Action:** Save your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) as a standard .docx or a “flattened” [PDF](https://thebiggamehunter.us/they-asked-for-pdfs-about-work-that-wont-launch-for-2-weeks/). Test its integrity by copying all text and pasting it into a plain Notepad file. If the [contact info](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-you-put-contact-info-on-your-resume-2/), dates, or titles are scrambled, the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) will likely discard your profile before a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) ever sees it. ### 2. Semantic Clustering vs. Keyword Stuffing Modern [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) platforms like **Workday**, **Greenhouse**, and **Lever** have evolved beyond simple keyword counting. They now use **Natural Language Processing (NLP)** to identify “skill clusters.” They look for the relationship between a tool and a measurable outcome within a specific context. - **The Goal:** Build “Value Anchors” that link your technical skills to your signature impact. - **The Logic:** A parser assigns low weight to a generic “Skills” bank at the bottom of a page. It assigns high weight to skills embedded within your professional experience. - **The Action:** Instead of just listing “Strategic Planning,” use: *“Orchestrated a 3-year strategic planning roadmap that recaptured 12% market share in the EMEA region.”* This proves to the machine, and the eventual human reader, that you possess both the skill and the seniority to apply it. ### 3. The Acronym Bridge: Capturing Every Search Query [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use varying search strings within the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). One [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) might search for “PMP,” while another searches for “Project Management Professional.” If your document only contains one version, you risk being filtered out of 50% of the relevant search results. - **The Goal:** Maximize discoverability across different human search behaviors. - **The Strategy:** Always use the format **“Full Term (Acronym)”** for degrees, certifications, and industry-specific tools. - **The Action:** Audit your document for terms like “Master of Business Administration (MBA)” or “Search Engine Optimization (SEO).” Providing both ensures you remain in the result set regardless of the specific query used by the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/). ### 4. The Referral Priority Lane: The Final Bypass The most effective way to “bypass” the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is to enter it through a **[Referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) Portal**. Most modern systems have a separate dashboard for referred candidates, often flagging them with a “High Priority” or “Internal Referral” badge that moves them to the top of the queue. - **The Goal:** Use your network to change how the machine weights your data. - **The Strategy:** Never apply through the “front door” (the general [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) page) if you can avoid it. Use a **Micro-Sprint** to find a peer within the organization and secure a unique [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) link. - **The Impact:** When you apply via a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/), your document is still parsed, but the “human-in-the-loop” filter is triggered significantly earlier. You are viewed as a vetted asset rather than a cold data point. ### The Bottom Line Bypassing the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is a game of **Signal vs. Noise**. When you provide clean formatting, semantic clusters, and a [referral](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) signal, you remove the friction that causes the machine to discard your profile. You aren’t “beating” the system; you are making it impossible for the system to ignore you. Once the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) validates your technical fit, your Onlyness—your unique perspective and demonstrated resilience—takes over. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 [***That’s Just The Way I Am***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9B1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Applicant Tracking System, Text **Tags:** Surviving the ATS Parser --- ### [What "We'll Get Back to You" Really Means in Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-well-get-back-to-you-really-means-in-job-interviews/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** What is the significance of an interviewer saying they are still interviewing other candidates and will get back to you soon? **Content:** # What “We’ll Get Back to You” Really Means in Job Interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/31LPEtD2skA) What is the significance of an interviewer saying they are still [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) other candidates and will get back to you soon? ### ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site, [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community](http://⁠⁠JobSearch.Community)⁠⁠ Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. Also, subscribe to ⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠ on YouTube. Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about coaching you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): ⁠ ⁠Resume & [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile critiques⁠ ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Categories:** #Shorts, Feedback **Tags:** What "We'll Get Back to You" Really Means in Job Interviews --- ### [When is the Best Time to Look for a New Job? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-is-the-best-time-to-look-for-a-new-job-shorts/) **Published:** May 12, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** A trick question with a true answer. **Content:** # When is the Best Time to Look for a New Job? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/m_Y8DZWeh1I) A trick question with a true answer. ### ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/JeffAltman-57-300.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site, [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community](http://⁠⁠JobSearch.Community)⁠⁠ Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to ⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠ on YouTube. Schedule a strategic advisory call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): ⁠ ⁠Resume & [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Profile critiques⁠ ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠) We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)⁠ makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** When is the Best Time to Look for a New Job? --- ### [Why Are They Interviewing 1 More Person After Asking for My References? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-are-they-interviewing-1-more-person-after-asking-for-my-references-shorts/) **Published:** May 12, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Why are they interviewing someone else who was referred to them after asking for my references? **Content:** # Why Are They Interviewing One More Person After Asking for My References? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtu.be/TWOfKbTB1X4) Why are they [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) someone else who was referred to them after asking for my references? ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes over 15+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter **Tags:** Why Are They Interviewing One More Person After Asking for My References? --- ### [How Do I Overcome My Fear of Interviewing?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-do-i-overcome-my-fear-of-interviewing-job-search-radio/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Fear of interviewing is a common problem for people. Arguing with the fear won't work. **Content:** # How Do I Overcome My Fear of Interviewing? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Fear of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) is a common problem for people. Arguing with the fear won’t work but there are different things you can do that will work. Here, I discuss a few things you can do to to overcome your fear. The question for today is how do I overcome my fear of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/)? I want to start by saying that arguing with your fear and telling it that it’s wrong, it’s crazy, it doesn’t work. You can’t argue with it. Generally, what you’re going through his fear of the unknown, fear of what’s going to happen and being unprepared for it. As generally with this kind of fear is all about. You just don’t know what’s can happen and you are [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of what will happen… Or worse – [afraid](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-youre-afraid-career-angles-shorts/) of the consequences of what will happen if you fail to perform. The [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to overcome your fears by preparing to perform. What were doing is learning how to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) well. How do you [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) well? There are many different ways. The way I’m recommending is by joining my site, [JobSearchCoachingHQ.com](http://www.JobSearchCoachingHQ.com). It is a great vehicle for helping people learn how to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) because there are tons of questions that are asked that you can practice answering. You see the question first, answer for yourself, listen to how I teach you how to do it, and then practice it again. And again. And again.Part of what I teach is the theater of [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/). So [JobSearch.Community](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ1QY5L7) is great for basic questions, advanced questions, those annoying brainteasers and a host of other questions you might be asked. You can also work with a friend, someone who is in your field, give them a series of questions, or tell them the kind of job you are [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) for and destined to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) you. Have them critique how they see you. Have them give you [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). Go over it again. And again. And again. Until you become more masterful. I want to be clear. I said, “more masterful.” I didn’t say perfect. Perfection takes time and with an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), the first time or two you go on a real [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/), you may not be perfect at it. After all, practice DOES make perfect and you are going to need practice. So, the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way, the very [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) way to overcome your fear is by practicing questions and answers with people’s when it comes to those magic moments you are well [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/). ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Rattle a Candidate Out of Their Comfort Zone?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aVR) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Attitude/Mood, Interviews, Text **Tags:** Fear of interviewing, how to overcome the fear of interviewing, interview fear, overcoming fears --- ### [Human Intent, Machine Speed: The Executive Protocol for AI Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/human-intent-machine-speed-the-executive-protocol-for-ai-networking/) **Published:** May 13, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Let me be direct with you. Most executives are networking wrong. **Content:** ## Human Intent, Machine Speed: The Executive Protocol for AI Networking **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Let me be direct with you. Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) wrong. They’re either blasting out generic [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) messages that scream “I’m desperate,” or they’re hiding behind their résumé and hoping someone notices them. Neither works. What does work is combining your human judgment with [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speed — and if you’re not doing that yet, you’re already behind. Here’s the executive protocol for using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) in your [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). Follow it. ### 1. Stop Treating AI Like a Shortcut. Treat It Like a Research Department. The first [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to mass-produce outreach. Wrong move. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and senior leaders can smell a templated message from a mile away. Instead, use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as your personal [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) team. Before you reach out to anyone — a target [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager, a peer at a competitor, a former colleague now at a company you want — use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to learn everything about them. Their recent posts. Their company’s earnings calls. Their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) activity. Their public [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Ask [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to summarize what that person cares about professionally right now. Then write the message yourself, in your own voice, using that intelligence. That’s not a shortcut. That’s strategy. ### 2. Build Your Target List With Surgical Precision. Random [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is a waste of your time. At the executive level, you have a finite number of hours and a finite amount of social capital. Spend it wisely. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build a structured target list. Identify the companies you want to work for. Then go deeper — identify the specific people at those companies who would either hire you or [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools can help you cross-reference industry connections, map org charts, and surface second-degree contacts you didn’t even know you had. Eighty people on a precise, prioritized list will outperform five hundred random contacts every single time. Be deliberate about who gets your attention. ### 3. Personalize at Scale — But Never Lose the Human Touch. Here’s where it gets interesting. You can use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to draft the first version of every outreach message. Feed it the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). Tell it the tone you want. Let it generate a draft. Then rewrite it in your voice. That last step is non-negotiable. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) writes in patterns. You have a personality, a history, and a perspective that no model can replicate. The goal is for your message to sound like you on your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) day — confident, specific, and relevant to that person. A message that references something real about the recipient — their recent promotion, a strategy shift at their company, a talk they gave — will always outperform a polished but generic note. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) finds the hook. You throw it. ### 4. Follow Up Like a Professional, Not a Pest. Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) give up too early. One message, no response, they move on. That’s leaving serious opportunity on the table. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build a [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) cadence. Set reminders. Draft [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) messages at 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days. Each touch should add value — share a relevant article, reference something new that happened at their company, or [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a brief insight that shows you’ve been paying attention. What you’re doing is staying top of mind without being annoying. There’s a difference between persistence and pestering. Persistence is intentional and value-driven. Pestering is just repetition. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) helps you stay consistent; your judgment keeps it classy. ### 5. Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence Before You Send a Single Message. Nobody’s responding to your outreach if your profile doesn’t back you up. Before you launch a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) campaign, run your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile through an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool and ask it to identify gaps, weak language, and missed keyword opportunities for your target roles. Your headline should not say “Experienced Executive Seeking New Opportunities.” That’s a red flag, not a value proposition. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can help you reframe your headline, rewrite your summary, and strengthen your bullet points so that by the time someone clicks on your profile after receiving your message, they see someone worth a conversation. Your profile is your [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/). Make sure it’s earning the meeting. ### 6. Track Everything. Iterate Fast. [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) without data is guesswork. Build a simple tracking system — [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can help you set one up — where you log every outreach, every response, every conversation, and every [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/). Review it weekly. Which messages are getting responses? Which companies are opening doors? Which contacts are turning into actual conversations? When you track the data, patterns emerge. You double down on what’s working and you cut what isn’t. This is how [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) operate in every other part of their professional life. Apply the same discipline to your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). The bottom line is this: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) doesn’t replace the relationships. You still have to show up, be genuine, and earn trust. But [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) compresses the time it takes to find the right people, craft the right message, and stay consistent. That’s the edge. Use it. Now stop reading and start reaching out. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ***[Job Hunting and The 10,000 Rule.](http://wp.me/P6R49f-lq)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[15 Questions to Prepare for On Your Next C Level Interview](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-71P)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** ChatGPT/AI, Networking, Text **Tags:** Human Intent, Machine Speed: The Executive Protocol for AI Networking --- ### [No BS Career Advice: May 10 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-may-10-2026/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** No BS Career Advice to help with #jobsearch #jobhunting #careeradvice #interviewing #interviews #jobinterviews #opentowork #salarynegotiation #resumes #nobscareeradvice and more. Share it. Leave a comment (at least 15 words). Subscribe. Save it if you don't have the time now. **Content:** # No BS Career Advice: May 10, 2026 **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** ![Value](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Value-ChatGPT-Image-May-9-2026-06_53_12-AM.png) *Last week, I told you a new book would be released and I would notify you when it was available on Amazon.* *Unfortunately, there was a delay. I am hoping to have it out this week and will share a special edition when it is.* ## Human Intent, Machine Speed: The Executive Protocol for AI Networking Let me be direct with you. Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) are [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) wrong. They’re either blasting out generic [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) messages that scream “I’m desperate,” or they’re hiding behind their résumé and hoping someone notices them. Neither works. What does work is combining your human judgment with [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) speed — and if you’re not doing that yet, you’re already behind. Here’s the executive protocol for using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) in your [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/). Follow it. ### 1. Stop Treating AI Like a Shortcut. Treat It Like a Research Department. The first [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make is using [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to mass-produce outreach. Wrong move. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and senior leaders can smell a templated message from a mile away. Instead, use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) as your personal [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) team. Before you reach out to anyone — a target [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) manager, a peer at a competitor, a former colleague now at a company you want — use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to learn everything about them. Their recent posts. Their company’s earnings calls. Their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) activity. Their public [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Ask [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to summarize what that person cares about professionally right now. Then write the message yourself, in your own voice, using that intelligence. That’s not a shortcut. That’s strategy. ### 2. Build Your Target List With Surgical Precision. Random [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) is a waste of your time. At the executive level, you have a finite number of hours and a finite amount of social capital. Spend it wisely. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build a structured target list. Identify the companies you want to work for. Then go deeper — identify the specific people at those companies who would either hire you or [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) you. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tools can help you cross-reference industry connections, map org charts, and surface second-degree contacts you didn’t even know you had. Eighty people on a precise, prioritized list will outperform five hundred random contacts every single time. Be deliberate about who gets your attention. ### 3. Personalize at Scale — But Never Lose the Human Touch. Here’s where it gets interesting. You can use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to draft the first version of every outreach message. Feed it the [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/). Tell it the tone you want. Let it generate a draft. Then rewrite it in your voice. That last step is non-negotiable. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) writes in patterns. You have a personality, a history, and a perspective that no model can replicate. The goal is for your message to sound like you on your [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) day — confident, specific, and relevant to that person. A message that references something real about the recipient — their recent promotion, a strategy shift at their company, a talk they gave — will always outperform a polished but generic note. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) finds the hook. You throw it. ### 4. Follow Up Like a Professional, Not a Pest. Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) give up too early. One message, no response, they move on. That’s leaving serious opportunity on the table. Use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to build a [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) cadence. Set reminders. Draft [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/) messages at 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days. Each touch should add value — share a relevant article, reference something new that happened at their company, or [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a brief insight that shows you’ve been paying attention. What you’re doing is staying top of mind without being annoying. There’s a difference between persistence and pestering. Persistence is intentional and value-driven. Pestering is just repetition. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) helps you stay consistent; your judgment keeps it classy. ### 5. Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence Before You Send a Single Message. Nobody’s responding to your outreach if your profile doesn’t back you up. Before you launch a [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) campaign, run your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile through an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool and ask it to identify gaps, weak language, and missed keyword opportunities for your target roles. Your headline should not say “Experienced Executive Seeking New Opportunities.” That’s a red flag, not a value proposition. [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can help you reframe your headline, rewrite your summary, and strengthen your bullet points so that by the time someone clicks on your profile after receiving your message, they see someone worth a conversation. Your profile is your [first impression](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-digital-first-impression-may-be-getting-you-rejected/). Make sure it’s earning the meeting. ### 6. Track Everything. Iterate Fast. [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) without data is guesswork. Build a simple tracking system — [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) can help you set one up — where you log every outreach, every response, every conversation, and every [follow-up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-time-your-interview-follow-up-shorts/). Review it weekly. Which messages are getting responses? Which companies are opening doors? Which contacts are turning into actual conversations? When you track the data, patterns emerge. You double down on what’s working and you cut what isn’t. This is how [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) operate in every other part of their professional life. Apply the same discipline to your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). The bottom line is this: [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) doesn’t replace the relationships. You still have to show up, be genuine, and earn trust. But [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) compresses the time it takes to find the right people, craft the right message, and stay consistent. That’s the edge. Use it. Now stop reading and start reaching out. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 Last week, I released a lot of new content including: **Stupid [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): Turning Down an Invitation** Excerpt: [Networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) isn’t just about what you need now; it’s about the relationships you’ve built for the future. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), The Big Game Hunter® discusses a common but critical [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): declining invitations that could open doors you don’t even know exist yet. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **How to Get More [Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/): Have a Video [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)** Excerpt: A video [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) allows you to showcase your personality and communication skills in a way a flat document never can. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), The Big Game Hunter® explains how to leverage video to stand out to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and land more [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/). Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Indeed: Which Job Site Is Better. EP 3142** Excerpt: Most job hunters treat [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and Indeed as interchangeable versions of the same thing. That’s exactly why their [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) go ignored. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains the fundamental differences and how to use each platform to your advantage. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **[The Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/): Abandoning the Main Line in Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)** Excerpt: Most professionals approach their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) like they are standing in line at an exclusive nightclub. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), The Big Game Hunter® explains how to find the ‘third door’ to bypass the crowded main entrance and get the results you want. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Why Doesn’t [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Rank [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/)? #shorts** Excerpt: Here’s a fun question: Why does [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) not rank [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/)? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) dives into the reasons why this data isn’t publicly ranked and what it means for your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Why Was I Rejected and Then Offered the Job By My Employer?** **Excerpt:** It’s a bizarre scenario: you’re told ‘no,’ then suddenly offered the role. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains the internal corporate shifts and budget reallocations that cause this about-face. **Link:** **Personal [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) SEO: Get Discovered by LLMs** **Excerpt:** In 2026, [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) aren’t just searching Google; they’re asking [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). Learn how to optimize your digital footprint so Large Language Models recommend you for the right roles. **Link:** **Even If You’re Short on Experience, Pass the “So What” Test** **Excerpt:** Lack of experience isn’t the dealbreaker—it’s the lack of perceived value. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) shares how to frame your limited background to prove you can solve a company’s problems. **Link:** **Should I Include My [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL on a CV or [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)?** **Excerpt:** Is it a waste of space or a modern necessity? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) weighs in on when to include your social links and how to ensure your profile is ready for the click. **Link:** **A Reminder When You [Negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) [Salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: People get caught up emotionally when they [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/). It is important to remember that this is a business transaction. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) reminds you to keep your cool to get the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) deal. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): May 3, 2026** Excerpt: A curation of the latest [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) strategies, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) tips, and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) from [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), designed to help you navigate the modern workplace. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **A [Recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) Accepted My Connection Request & Hasn’t Responded Since** Excerpt: It’s a common [frustration](https://thebiggamehunter.us/beat-job-search-frustration-5-expert-tips/): you reach out, they accept, and then… silence. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains the reality of [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) workflows and how to [follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) without being a nuisance. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Age Proof Your [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/): 10 Steps to Get Hired** Excerpt: This episode breaks down 10 immediate, practical steps to modernize your digital [presence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-online-presence/) and communication style so [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) see your value instead of your age. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **The “Safe Job” [Trap](https://thebiggamehunter.us/escape-the-linkedin-commodity-trap/): Is [Your Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) Being Targeted?** Excerpt: The idea of a ‘safe job’ is a dangerous myth in today’s economy. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses why staying in a role for safety might actually be the riskiest move you can make for your long-term [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/). Link: **10 [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Signal Killers** Excerpt: [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is a live data set that [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) use to filter for specific types of people. This post details how high-value professionals unknowingly sabotage their search through platform “signal killers.” Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Knowing You Made a [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) [Mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) #shorts** Excerpt: Jim Collins, the author of “Good to Great,” offers a thought about the exact moment you believe you made a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) and how to address it. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Did [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) from the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Reject You?** Excerpt: The myth that an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) bot is silently tossing your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is overstated. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down the reality of how [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) systems actually function in the [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) process. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Crack Your Offer’s Code** Excerpt: This episode breaks down the “hidden math” and 8 structural pillars corporations use to build your job [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), helping you understand what is truly on the table. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Are [Job Interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) Done by Phone Easier or Harder? #shorts** Excerpt: Are [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) done by phone usually easier or harder? [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses the nuances of phone-based screening and how to prepare for success. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Everybody’s Lying** Excerpt: In the world of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/), from [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) answers, there is a pervasive culture of ‘polishing’ the truth. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) discusses how to spot the lies and find authenticity. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Asking for Directions** Excerpt: Many job seekers treat their [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) like a solo road trip without a map. Learning to ask for professional directions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a shortcut to your destination. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **A Hidden Gem to Find People to Network with on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/)** Excerpt: Most people use the same tired search filters. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) reveals a ‘hidden gem’ feature on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) that uncovers high-value [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) connections most users miss. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **5 Career-Stalling [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) [Executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) Make and How to Pivot** Excerpt: Executive [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) don’t just stop; they stall due to specific, avoidable habits. Learn the top five [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) high-level leaders make and the tactical pivots required to regain momentum. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **[Employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) Situation Summary May 8 2026** Excerpt: A deep dive into the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) breaks down what the May 8, 2026, [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) report actually means for your [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) prospects and the broader economy. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **[Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) [Mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/): You Don’t Do the Work or Listen to [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/)** Excerpt: The two fastest ways to derail [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) trajectory are stagnation and defensiveness. [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) explains why a lack of execution and an inability to process [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) are fatal flaws. Link: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ While you wait for the new book, let me remind you of two others. [**The Over 50 Professional’s Guide to Job Search Success: Proven Techniques to Overcome Age Bias, and Thrive in Today’s Job Market**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5K781V) **and** [10 Steps to Changing Careers: Break Free and Do Work You Love](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5K781V). Both are available as paperbacks, Kindle books and PDFs. --- **People hire me for No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) coaching** because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/). I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people actually *find work.* Become an Insider at [**JobSearch.Community**](http://jobsearch.community/). You’ll receive free info, coaching from me, and a lot more. ***If a monthly membership is too expensive, you can purchase individual pieces of content.*** [***Subscribe to JobSearchTV on YouTube***](https://www.youtube.com/@JobSearchTV) ***Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio wherever you listen to podscasts.*** **\#BeGreat** ### Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) & [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Strategist | Decoding the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) Algorithmic Pivot to Get You Hired | Mastering “Onlyness” for High-Impact Professionals & Staff.** **Categories:** No BS Career Advice **Tags:** No BS Career Advice: May 10 2026 --- ### [A Visit to an Elephant Camp: A Reminder About Conditioning and Success](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-visit-to-an-elephant-camp-a-reminder-about-conditioning-and-success-career-angles-shorts/) **Published:** May 12, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This is a short story about how elephants are kept imprisoned that I believe is a good reminder for many of us. **Content:** # A Visit to an Elephant Camp: A Reminder About Conditioning and Success **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/0sNdY86WZqk) This is a short story about how elephants are kept imprisoned that I believe is a good reminder for many of us. ## ***[Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 15+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques ⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***Debunking Myths About HR and Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-le1) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay. **Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data.*** **Categories:** #Shorts, Career Angles **Tags:** A visit to an elephant camp, elephant camp, short stories, Short story, storytime, Visiting an elephant camp --- ### [Raise Your Hand . . . Again](https://thebiggamehunter.us/raise-your-hand-again-career-angles/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Raise Your Hand . . . Again **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** Many people, myself, as well, have written about the mind-numbing quality of the school system (for future reference, anything that refers to itself as a “system” is something to avoid). Between it’s preparation for the world of work through obedience and memorization, we also learn peer pressure in school. When I went to school, there was clearly male gender pressure (I can’t say with certainty that it existed for girls in the same way. I don’t think it did, at least in the school I went to). You didn’t try to appear too smart and you certainly didn’t want to be publicly embarrassed for a wrong answer when asked a question by a teacher, so we stopped raising our hand to be called on. And that carried through college and into the workforce where volunteering was looked down upon by co-workers. “Brown nosing” was the term used for someone who volunteered so much and was so “good” and put in so much effort that their nose was their nose was . . . I don’t have to be explicit about where their nose was thought to be. Thus, I learned that being one of the guys (that included women) and “getting along” and not being so “big” or “outstanding” kept me safe from criticism. In Australia, the term, “tall poppy syndrome” refers to a tendency in Australian society to try and cut people down to size who are considered to be too successful or prominent (cutting the tall poppies down to size) because, generally, they don’t like others to do *too* well. I know I learned that lesson much too well but now is a different time when, frankly, I believe it is important for people to buck the system and [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) their hand again. Speak up in meetings. Volunteer for assignments. Be great! Not long ago, a man I know and love walked over to me and asked, “Why do you keep doing things to stand out? Why can’t you be one of the guys?” I answered, “I have spent much of my life doing exactly that and now, I want to be with people who will support me with being great, not going along and getting along.” Can you pick one place to start practicing? Just one to start. When you’ve done one for a few weeks, add a second place to (metaphorically) [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) your hand and do great things. You may fail at some but don’t go back to getting along. You will help your organization AND you a lot! So, [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) your hand a lot! Watch how things change. © [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc. Asheville, NC 2018, 2024 [***Referring to Everyone as Guys***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lnj) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ***[The Interview With a Former Boss](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-20L)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** ***[How Can I See Another Person’s LinkedIn Profile Without Them Knowing?](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5XO)*** He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 2900 episodes over 13+ years. [***If At First . . .*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g47) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Career Angles, Text **Tags:** raise your hand, standing out --- ### [Spotting Covert Racism on Job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/spotting-covert-racism-on-job-interviews/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** Some of you may think a few of these are overt. For employers, there are several signals you give that show you're a loser. **Content:** # Spotting Covert Racism on Job interviews **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** ***Click here if the video does not play properly.*** Some of you may think a few of these are overt. My habit is to give people the benefit of the doubt. Certainly, the last one may be overt. And for [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/), there are several signals you give that show you’re a loser. [***4 Signs the Hiring Manager May Discriminate***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jPS) Covert racism is hard to detect. But there are signals that firms give throughout the [interviewing](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-21-2026/) and [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) process. The first one is asking questions that aren’t really relevant to the job. They make assumptions about your abilities or qualifications based upon your race. Bizarre. They give you less attention or respect than other people and they also make you feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. The last one is a subtle. They make an [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), but it’s always low. You know, they really are signaling they don’t want to [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. There’s a lot more my website, [TheBigGameHunter.us](TheBigGameHunter.us) Go to the blog. Go exploring. ***[Power](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSz)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-723x1024.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a discovery call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Courses: Books and Guides: [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Bias, Discrimination, Text **Tags:** Covert Racism on Job Interviews, racism in interviews, racism in job interviews, Spotting Covert Racism on Interviews, Spotting Covert Racism on Job interviews, spotting racism on interviews --- ### [Employment Situation Summary May 8 2026](https://thebiggamehunter.us/employment-situation-summary-may-8-2026/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 115,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent **Content:** # Employment Situation Summary May 8 2026 [**US Bureau of Labor Statistics**](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm) ``` Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 115,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade. Federal government employment continued to decline. This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor force status, including unemployment, by demographic characteristics. The establishment survey measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. For more information about the concepts and statistical methodology used in these two surveys, see the Technical Note. Household Survey Data The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent in April, and the number of unemployed people changed little at 7.4 million. Both measures changed little over the year. (See table A-1.) Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (4.0 percent), adult women (3.9 percent), teenagers (14.4 percent), and people who are White (3.7 percent), Black (7.3 percent), Asian (3.3 percent), or Hispanic (5.0 percent) showed little change in April. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.) The number of people jobless less than 5 weeks increased by 358,000 to 2.5 million in April. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was essentially unchanged at 1.8 million and accounted for 25.3 percent of all unemployed people. (See table A-12.) Both the labor force participation rate, at 61.8 percent, and the employment-population ratio, at 59.1 percent, changed little in April. These measures edged down over the year after accounting for annual population control adjustments. (See table A-1.) The number of people employed part time for economic reasons increased by 445,000 to 4.9 million in April. These individuals would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been reduced or they were unable to find full-time jobs. (See table A-8.) The number of people not in the labor force who currently want a job changed little at 6.1 million in April. These individuals were not counted as unemployed because they were not actively looking for work during the 4 weeks preceding the survey or were unavailable to take a job. (See table A-1.) Among those not in the labor force who wanted a job, the number of people marginally attached to the labor force changed little at 1.8 million in April. These individuals wanted and were available for work and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months but had not looked for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. The number of discouraged workers, a subset of the marginally attached who believed that no jobs were available for them, was also little changed in April at 475,000. (See Summary table A.) Establishment Survey Data Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 115,000 in April, after showing little net change over the prior 12 months. In April, job gains occurred in health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade. Federal government employment continued to decline. (See table B-1.) In April, health care added 37,000 jobs, in line with the average monthly gain of 32,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, job gains occurred in nursing and residential care facilities (+15,000) and home health care services (+11,000). Transportation and warehousing employment increased by 30,000 in April, reflecting a gain in couriers and messengers (+38,000). However, employment in transportation and warehousing is down by 105,000 since reaching a peak in February 2025. Retail trade added 22,000 jobs in April. Employment increased in warehouse clubs, supercenters, and other general merchandise retailers (+18,000) and in building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+13,000). These gains were partially offset by job losses in department stores (-7,000) and in electronics and appliance retailers (-2,000). Retail trade employment had shown little net change over the prior 12 months. Employment in social assistance continued to trend up in April (+17,000), reflecting a gain of 24,000 jobs in individual and family services. Federal government employment continued to decline in April (-9,000). Since reaching a peak in October 2024, federal government employment is down by 348,000, or 11.5 percent. Federal employees on furlough during the partial government shutdown were counted as employed in the establishment survey because they worked or received (or will receive) pay for the pay period that included the 12th of the month. Employment in information continued to trend down in April (-13,000). Telecommunications lost 3,000 jobs, while employment continued to trend down in motion picture and sound recording industries (-6,000) and in computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services (-4,000). Information employment is down by 342,000, or 11.0 percent, since its most recent peak in November 2022. Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services. In April, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 6 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $37.41. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.6 percent. In April, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 11 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $32.23. (See tables B-3 and B-8.) The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.3 hours in April. In manufacturing, the average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 40.4 hours, and overtime was unchanged at 3.0 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained at 33.8 hours. (See tables B-2 and B-7.) The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for February was revised down by 23,000, from -133,000 to -156,000, and the change for March was revised up by 7,000, from +178,000 to +185,000. With these revisions, employment in February and March combined is 16,000 lower than previously reported. (Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.) _____________ The Employment Situation for May is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET). ``` [Employment Situation Summary Table A. Household data, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm) [Employment Situation Summary Table B. Establishment data, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.b.htm) [Employment Situation Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.faq.htm) [Employment Situation Technical Note](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.tn.htm) [Table A-1. Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t01.htm) [Table A-2. Employment status of the civilian population by race, sex, and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm) [Table A-3. Employment status of the Hispanic or Latino population by sex and age](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t03.htm) [Table A-4. Employment status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm) [Table A-5. Employment status of the civilian population 18 years and over by veteran status, period of service, and sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm) [Table A-6. Employment status of the civilian population by sex, age, and disability status, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm) [Table A-7. Employment status of the civilian population by nativity and sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t07.htm) [Table A-8. Employed people by class of worker and part-time status](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t08.htm) [Table A-9. Selected employment indicators](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t09.htm) [Table A-10. Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t10.htm) [Table A-11. Unemployed people by reason for unemployment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t11.htm) [Table A-12. Unemployed people by duration of unemployment](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t12.htm) [Table A-13. Employed and unemployed people by occupation, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t13.htm) [Table A-14. Unemployed people by industry and class of worker, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t14.htm) [Table A-15. Alternative measures of labor underutilization](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t15.htm) [Table A-16. People not in the labor force and multiple jobholders by sex, not seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t16.htm) [Table B-1. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector and selected industry detail](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t17.htm) [Table B-2. Average weekly hours and overtime of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t18.htm) [Table B-3. Average hourly and weekly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t19.htm) [Table B-4. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours and payrolls for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t20.htm) [Table B-5. Employment of women on nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t21.htm) [Table B-6. Employment of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t22.htm) [Table B-7. Average weekly hours and overtime of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t23.htm) [Table B-8. Average hourly and weekly earnings of production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t24.htm) [Table B-9. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours and payrolls for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry sector, seasonally adjusted(1)](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t25.htm) [Access to historical data for the “A” tables of the Employment Situation News Release](https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsatabs.htm) [Access to historical data for the “B” tables of the Employment Situation News Release](https://www.bls.gov/ces/data/employment-situation-table-download.htm) [HTML version of the entire news release](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.htm) **Categories:** Text, The Job Market **Tags:** Employment Situation Summary May 8 2026 --- ### [Land a New Job Without Ads or Recruiters: 10 Easy Tactics](https://thebiggamehunter.us/land-a-new-job-without-ads-or-recruiters-10-easy-tactics/) **Published:** May 11, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Land a New Job Without Ads or Recruiters: 10 Easy Tactics **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Most information workers in the US get hired through conversations, not “Apply” buttons. If you’re willing to be a little braver and a lot more intentional, you can land a new job without ever responding to a posting or talking to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/). Here are 10 practical ways to do it—and what to do if none of them work. ## 1. Ask your existing network directly [Referrals](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-closed-loop-referral-forcing-human-review/) are still the fastest, lowest‑risk way most companies hire. Start with people who already know and (ideally) like you: former colleagues, managers, clients, vendors, classmates. Be specific: “I’m targeting senior product roles in B2B SaaS—do you know anyone leading teams in that space I should talk to?” Vague requests like “keep me in mind” rarely produce anything. ## 2. Run a structured LinkedIn outreach campaign [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is the backbone of [the hidden job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-where-the-hidden-job-market-is-hiding-job-search-radio/) for information workers. Instead of scrolling and lurking, build a list of target companies, then: - Find [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers, peers, and cross‑functional partners - Send short, human connection notes (“I like what you shared about X…”) - After connecting, ask for a quick conversation, not a job You’re playing the long game: [be visible](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/), relevant, and easy to remember when something opens. .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) ## 3. Use informational interviews as your main tool Informational [interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-interviews-3/) work because they lower the stakes for the other person and [raise](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-5-raise-may-still-have-you-losing-money-shorts/) the quality of the conversation for you. Ask for 15–20 minutes to learn about: - How they got into their role - What’s changing in their organization or industry - What they’d look for if they were [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) your role You’re not begging for a job; you’re collecting intel and planting seeds. A meaningful minority of these conversations eventually lead to direct introductions and unposted roles. ## 4. Target alumni networks Alumni networks are underrated and usually underused. People are more willing to help someone who shares a school, bootcamp, or program with them. Use LinkedIn’s alumni tools or your school’s platform to: - Filter by location, industry, and function - Reach out with, “As a fellow \[school\] alum exploring X, I’d love your insight on…” Again, you’re building relationships that can surface roles before they ever go public. ## 5. Show your work in public For information workers, your [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) is no longer just a designer or engineer thing; it’s your proof. Posting thoughtful content can pull opportunities toward you. Depending on your function, that might look like: - Short [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) breakdowns of a problem you solved - A GitHub repo or small side project for engineers - Case studies on your personal site for PMs, marketers, analysts [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) managers watch who consistently contributes value. You want to be top‑of‑mind when they think, “We really should hire someone for this.” [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) ## 6. Tap professional associations and meetups Industry groups, Slack/Discord communities, and meetups are often where people talk about [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) needs *before* HR gets involved.chenected. Don’t just join—participate: - Ask smart questions - [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) help when others are stuck - Let people know what you’re exploring Backchannel conversations like “We might need someone like you soon, let’s talk” happen there a lot more than you think. ## 7. Go direct to hiring managers at target companies You can absolutely bypass postings by going straight to the people who own the problems you solve. Steps: 1. Identify 20–40 target companies. 2. Find the leader who would likely manage your role. 3. Send a concise note along the lines of: - “If you ever need someone who’s done X, Y, Z, I’d love to be on your radar.” You’re not asking them to invent a job for you; you’re positioning yourself as a low‑friction solution when the need becomes acute. ## 8. Offer project‑based or fractional help Some organizations aren’t ready to open a full‑time req but *are* willing to pay for a project, pilot, or [fractional](https://thebiggamehunter.us/98688-2/) engagement first. If you’re comfortable with it, you can: - Propose a time‑boxed project that solves a real problem - [Offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) a clear deliverable, timeline, and outcome Those projects often turn into “We should just keep you” conversations, or they become strong proof in your [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). ## 9. Volunteer your skills strategically This isn’t “work for free forever;” it’s about carefully chosen, time‑bound contributions where you can demonstrate value and expand your network. Consider: - Nonprofits that need analytics, marketing, IT, or operations help - Early‑stage startups that could use a bit of structure or process Be explicit about scope and time. You’re there to help and to create real stories you can tell about recent work in your field. ## 10. Leverage conferences and events like a hunter, not a tourist Conferences, virtual summits, and niche events compress hundreds of relevant people into a few days. Before you go: - Identify 10–15 people you’d like to meet - Reach out in advance to schedule quick coffees or video chats - [Follow up](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-follow-up-its-been-4-weeks-of-interviewing-for-a-job-i-really-want-shorts/) afterward with context (“We talked about your roadmap for X…”) Most people drift through these events; if you’re intentional, you can walk away with real leads and warm relationships. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ## If none of this works: what then? If you’ve genuinely tried these routes for a few months and you’re still not getting traction, you don’t “try harder” at the same things; you change the problem you’re solving. Here’s what to do: 1. **Audit the fundamentals** Make sure your résumé, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/), and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) stories clearly align with a *specific* type of role. If your positioning is fuzzy—too many titles, industries, or messages—you’ll be forgettable and hard to place, no matter how much [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) you do. 2. **Tighten your target** Sometimes people are “open to anything in tech/finance/marketing.” That’s not a target. Pick one role, in one or two industries, at a couple of company sizes. It’s easier for others to help you when you’re crystal clear about what you want. 3. **Get external [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/)** Don’t guess. Ask a few people who hire in your space—or a coach—to look at how you present yourself and tell you where the disconnect is. Often the issue isn’t your background; it’s how you’re telling the story. 4. **Use postings and [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) strategically—not as your only path** If the above methods aren’t working yet, then yes, layer in selective [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) and [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) relationships. Use them as additional channels, not your entire strategy. Your odds go up when you attack the market from multiple angles. Finding work as an information worker in the US without ads or [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is absolutely possible—but it requires you to act like a proactive professional, not a passive applicant. You build relationships, show your work, and make it easy for decision‑makers to see where you fit. The more intentional you are about that, the less you’ll need to rely on “Apply” and hope. Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVKBGRHP ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** ![JeffAltman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg)JeffAltman, [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is a coach who worked as a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) coaching, all as well as executive [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching, job coaching, and [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes, and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council. *Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) coaching, advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) more effectively, how to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) or leadership coaching? [S](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter)*[chedule a free Discovery call.](https://go.oncehub.com/TheBigGameHunter) If you have a quick question for me, you can get it answered with a 3-5 minute video at [https://www.wisio.com/TheBigGameHunter](). [Want to do it live](https://thebiggamehunter.us/MeetMe)? [JobSearchCoachingHQ.com](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/JobSearchCoachingHQ) offers great advice for job hunters—videos, my books and guides to [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), podcasts, articles, PLUS a community for you to ask questions of PLUS the ability to ask me questions where I function as your ally with no conflict of interest answering your questions. [Connect with me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebiggamehunter). [Like me on Facebook](http://blog.thebiggamehunter.us/NoBSCoachingAdvice). Join and attend my classes on Skillshare. [Become a premium member and get 2 months free.](https://thebiggamehunter.us/Skillshare)** Watch my videos on YouTube at JobSearchTV.com, the Job SearchTV app for FireTV, Roku or a firestick or BingeNetworks.tv for AppleTV and 90 smart tv platforms. You can order a copy of “[Diagnosing Your Job Search Problems](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HMFMKLC)” for Kindle on Amazon and receive free Kindle versions of “No BS [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) Advice” and “Interview Preparation.” If you are starting your search, order, “[Get Ready for the Job Jungle](http://amzn.to/2r3iXZs).” ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)[Don’t forget to give the show 5 stars and a good review in iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/no-b.s.-job-search-advice/id728359311?mt=2). It helps other people discover the show like you did. Would you like to talk through a [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) negotiation or potential negotiation you’re involved with? [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/salary) Do you have questions or would like advice about [networking](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-use-ai-for-networking-arbitrage/) or any aspect of your search. [Order and schedule time with me.](https://gum.co/30Minutes) Would you like me to critique your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)? [Order a critique from me](https://gum.co/resume-critique) Jeff’s Kindle book, “[You Can Fix Stupid: No BS Hiring Advice](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011GK0ADE),” is available on Amazon. We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. **Categories:** No BS Job Search Advice, Text --- ### [What Do You Tell A Soon-to-Be Grad About the Job Market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-you-tell-a-soon-to-be-grad-about-the-job-market/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # What Do You Tell A Soon-to-Be Grad About the Job Market **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** I’d tell students this: don’t panic, but don’t be passive either. Yes, [the job market](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) feels tough right now. Yes, [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) is changing how companies hire. And yes, a lot of entry-level [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) are getting more competitive. But that does not mean you’re doomed. It means you need a smarter approach than the one people used a few years ago. The old idea was simple: graduate, apply online, wait for responses, and hope for the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/). That approach is much weaker now. A lot of [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) is filtered, automated, or slowed down. So if you only apply and wait, you may end up frustrated. You need to do more than that. What helps now is showing proof that you can do useful work. That could be internships, school projects, volunteer work, part-time [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/), freelance work, or even a strong [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/). [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) want people who can solve problems, learn quickly, and communicate clearly. A degree matters, but it is no longer enough by itself. You also need to use your network. That does not mean being fake or pushy. It means talking to people, asking good questions, and letting people know what kind of role you want. A lot of [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-many-fewer-full-time-jobs-shorts/) never get filled through open [applications](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-weird-to-ask-about-previous-salary-on-an-application/) alone. They get filled because someone knew someone who seemed reliable and ready. And yes, learn to use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/). Not because it replaces you, but because it makes you more effective. If you can use [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) to [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/), draft, organize, brainstorm, or prepare faster than other candidates, that gives you an edge. The people who will do [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) are not the ones who fear [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) the most. They are the ones who learn how to work with it. The biggest thing I’d say is this: don’t let the noise talk you out of your future. Every generation graduates into some kind of mess. This one just happens to include [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/), automation, and a lot of [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/). That is real. But so is opportunity. If you stay focused, build skills, make connections, and keep moving, you can absolutely find your way in. [***That’s Just The Way I Am***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9B1) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) coaching to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/JeffAltman-62-235x300.jpg) ***[Expert Advice for Senior Leaders in Transition](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-krk)*** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group coaching during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Stupid Networking Mistakes: No Patience***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9km) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** College Grads, Text --- ### [Own Your Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/own-your-onlyness/) **Published:** May 2, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** IMO, trying to prove you're the best is the wrong game to play. **Content:** ![Own Your Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Own-Your-Onlyness-9f92f463-2e0c-40f4-87aa-421a6a502759.jpg) IMO, trying to prove you’re the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) is the wrong game to play. It puts you into a realm where subjectivity affects people’s thinking about you. It makes it a hard game to win. If you compete to be the only, you are now in a different arena. It is worth competing to be the only. **Categories:** Infographics **Tags:** Own Your Onlyness --- ### [Photos on a Resume #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/photos-on-a-resume-shorts/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** From time to time, I see pictures of people on their resume. **Content:** # Photos on a Resume **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/LYp3mYsBZpA) From time to time, I see pictures of people on their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). ***[Asking for Directions](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-1Ul)*** Don’t put your picture on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). There is always going to be some person who isn’t going to like it, who’s going to make fun of something about your appearance, your hair, your clothes, whatever. Don’t make it easy for them. [***Is This the Reason Recruiters Ignore Your LinkedIn Profile?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ksA) ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Rattle a Candidate Out of Their Comfort Zone?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aVR) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** photos on a resume, pictures on a resume, Resume Mistakes, Stupid Résumé Mistakes --- ### [Is This Why Recruiters Ignore Your LinkedIn Profile?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-this-the-reason-recruiters-ignore-your-linkedin-profile-shorts/) **Published:** May 10, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** This is a classic mistake people make that prevents them from being contacted. **Content:** # Is This Why Recruiters Ignore Your LinkedIn Profile? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/kd9M4WJcjF8) This is a classic [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make that prevents them from being contacted. ***[15 Ways To Evaluate Headhunters And Recruiters](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k02)*** *One of the reasons [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) may not be contacting you on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) is that you don’t have your privacy settings set to public. Make sure that’s the case by going to the word ME underneath your picture on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/). You can change it there.* ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, LinkedIn, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** Is This the Reason Recruiters Ignore Your LinkedIn Profile? --- ### [Asking for Directions](https://thebiggamehunter.us/asking-for-directions/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** One of the great stereotypes of the 20th century was that men don’t ask for directions when they are lost. **Content:** # Asking for Directions **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** One of the great stereotypes of the 20th century was that men don’t ask for directions when they are lost. How many arguments occurred in the car between a couple, trying to figure out where the next turn was, and he was not willing to pull into a gas station to ask the attendant? It must’ve been a woman who came up with the idea for GPS, if not, certainly the GPS app on a mobile phone. How many relationships were saved with those inventions? Difficulty [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/) is not unique to men. Women have the same problem, too. The fact is, both genders seem to find it preferable to figure things out on their own without help or assistance, even though it is harder, takes longer, and is often met with failures along the way. We all know that [asking for help](https://thebiggamehunter.us/our-love-hate-relationship-with-asking-for-help/) from someone who actually knows what they are talking about is a useful, though underutilized shortcut. Why is it so damn hard to ask for help? Great athletes will have coaches, whether they are on a team or individual sports. We all know that Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of his era, if not of all time. But we forget that it took many years until he won his 1st championship. It took a special coach who could see his greatness and persuade him that he needed to play less and do it within a system in order to be a champion. After leading Jordan, Pippin, and the Bulls to 6 NBA titles, Phil Jackson moved on to the Los Angeles Lakers where he led Kobe Bryant to 5 NBA rings. A great coach made a difference. [Coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) doesn’t only work in sports. It is effective in the entertainment field and in business, as well. If I said the name Seth Riggs to you, most of you who read this would probably go, “Who?” I’m sure you would know a few of the people that he coached: Michael Jackson Ray Charles Barbra Streisand Madonna Stevie Wonder What did these men and women know that most of us struggle with? They know that having an [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) coach to advise them will help them achieve excellence. They know that having an outside set of eyes (and ears) conditioned to look for excellence can propel them further than figuring it out on their own. I know doing [research](https://thebiggamehunter.us/ai-powered-research-meets-low-friction-outreach/) on the web and other places is where I fell short when I was trying to lose weight. I kept trying to follow one diet or another over the course of 2 years yet all that was happening was that I would lose no more than 5 pounds before it would start to reappear on my body. It was incredibly frustrating to wake up one day and see myself way more than I ever had in my life. One day, I decided to take the advice I give to others and [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a coach. Between diet and hard exercise, I have lost 30 pounds and feel fabulous. I couldn’t figure it out without her plus her experience allowed me to “outsource” my thinking to her and trust that I would get results. Whether you are [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), having trouble [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) staff, having business problems that you cannot figure out, or struggling with personal relationship problems, good [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) can make a difference. Yes, you will spend some money, but isn’t it worth it to you to get some help in an area where your expertise is, shall we say, imperfect? Find and [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) a coach to help you achieve your goals and be the woman or man you want to be. © [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc. Asheville, NC 2016, 2020, 2021, 2026 ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can![tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail.jpg](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tough-interview-questions-how-do-you-define-success-in-your-work-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. [***The Final Interview With The Company President***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cYq) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***How Do You Rattle a Candidate Out of Their Comfort Zone?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-aVR) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠[www.TheBigGameHunter.us](http://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/schedule)⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) .[***A Marketing Approach to Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-cXI) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Career Angles, Coaching, Text **Tags:** Asking for directions, Getting help --- ### [Career Mistakes: You Don't Do the Work or Listen to Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-mistakes-you-dont-do-the-work-or-listen-to-feedback/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Content:** # Career Mistakes: You Don’t Do the Work or Listen to Feedback **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** Here are two more [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) people make when managing their [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) – – you don’t do the work or listen to [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). I coach people and organizations to help them be much more effective and today I thought I would address actually two career [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that people make much too often that prove damaging and it doesn’t really matter where you are in the cycle of [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/). The first one is one of the most profound ones that people make and it’s the idea of not doing the work. They think they’re working hard. They think they’re putting in an effort but they’re really working at 60 or 70 percent capacity. As a result, you’re not really developing the effort muscle. You’re not really trying hard to deliver the goods, to be effective, to get results for what you’re trying to do and as a result, people notice this kind of thing like I remember years ago being in a workshop where someone was describing their circumstances as, you know, I work hard half the time and when explored it and the conclusion was so you’re a 50 kind of guy, right? And that’s really what a lot of you are. You’re doing 60 percent effort, 70 percent effort, maybe 80 but the thing that makes the difference between a great athlete and a sensational champion is often 100 effort. I’m not going to go to 110. You can’t do that. But the notion that you’re putting in 70 effort and expecting to get heavy results from your organization over the next organization is ludicrous and with that comes the notion that I think goes in tandem with that is not taking [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/). [Feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) is often how others see you and whether you agree with it or not, recognize how others see you. I know it’s hard but if you’re not seen well maybe there’s something there for you maybe they’re wrong and maybe it’s time to look elsewhere but more importantly think about it for a while see if there’s validity to it ask others for input as well and it doesn’t mean that they’re going to be right either but you need to hear how you’re being seen and viewed because ultimately this is the perception that or the press that you have within your organization especially from senior people when all is said and done career development requires knowledge and effort and a whole host of things but the big one is learning as you develop if you don’t learn through the [feedback](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-a-bad-sign-that-i-havent-gotten-feedback-when-promised-shorts/) that you receive how are you going to move forward ultimately you have to learn these lessons about how others see your effort learn from the [mistakes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) that you make rather than trying to cover them up so that you can move forward hope you find this helpful. I’m [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). If you’re interested in my [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), you can connect with me on [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) at [linkedin](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/).com forward slash i n forward slash TheBigGameHunter. Once we’re connected, message that you’re interested in [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). We’ll set up time for a free discovery call and if you’re watching this on youtube see that little icon down there click on it and subscribe to my channel you’ll get notices whenever i release a new video. Also, visit my website, TheBigGameHunter.us. I’ve got thousands of blog entries that you can watch, listen to or read that will help you find work more quickly. Have a great day and take care Put your mobile number there, please. Don’t put a home number where you’re going to wait until you get home from work that night, forget to check messages, wait another day, and then get pissed off at the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who are in your inbox and they’ve called once or maybe twice because you haven’t gotten back to them. And it’s your [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), but you’re pissed at them. Just put the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). You can say, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, embed it, make it a live link. Embed the URL in whatever text you write on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), so people can find you quickly. After all, the things that you do to inspire [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) by being smart about your presentation seem small, but they build on themselves like blocks or bricks in a building and suddenly have a very firm structure there. And firms love to see things. They’d love to talk to people who inspire [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). They don’t like to hesitate because when they hesitate, you know, they pause for a second and normally go on to something else. So, just make it easy. Put your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL underneath your name, city, state, zip code. Zip code, in particular, is important. Phone number that you want to be called at. Check your phone messages if it’s on your mobile when you go to lunch or before the end of your workday. Respond to messages. You know, when you get them, don’t wait until you get home to write a message back with your time and availability. Just call. It’ll take you 15-20 minutes tops to have a quick chat with someone about your background. And I’ll simply say, just do it. It will serve you well. It doesn’t take a lot of effort. Hope you found this helpful and have a great day. [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Resumes Aren’t Just About Responsibilities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ksy) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Career Coaching, Mistakes **Tags:** career coach, career coaching, Career mistakes, coach, coaching, interview coaching, Jeff Altman, Jeff Altman The Big Game Hunter, job hunting coach, job search coach, job search coaching, JobSearchTV.com, not doing the work, not listening to feedback, Stupid career mistakes, the best career coach in the world, The Big Game Hunter --- ### [A Hidden Gem to Find People to Network with on LinkedIn #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/a-hidden-gem-to-find-people-to-network-with-on-linkedin-shorts/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Everyone wonders how they can find someone at a firm they want to interview with to refer them or introduce them to a hiring manager. **Content:** # A Hidden Gem to Find People to Network with on LinkedIn #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/HTExMN2ORyg) Everyone wonders how they can find someone at a firm they want to [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) with to [refer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/find-an-employee-to-refer-you-shorts/) them or introduce them to a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) manager. This is hidden in plain sight and available for premium users. ## [***Branding Yourself Is Important and Easy***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-h6H) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ### ***[The Interview Mistake Too Many Executives Make (And How To Correct It)](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-6vD)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ### [***What Companies Look for When Choosing a Board Member***](https://youtu.be/TUxzqmj7SKw) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, LinkedIn, Networking **Tags:** A Hidden Gem to Find People to Network with on LinkedIn --- ### [Everybody’s Lying #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/everybodys-lying-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** Jeff **Excerpt:** One of the basic truths of job hunting is that everybody's lying. **Content:** # Everybody’s Lying **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/28uwbL0l4QY) One of the basic truths of [job hunting](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) is that everybody’s lying. ***[Six Questions To Ask In The Interview To Avoid Any Surprises Your First Day On The Job](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9vW)*** Looking for a job? Everybody’s lying. After all you’re lying about how much you really know, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who scheduled the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) is lying about the job, and they’re lying to the employer. And you know what? [Hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) managers are lying, too. After all, someone got [fired](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-apply-for-a-new-job-after-youve-been-fired/) from that job, someone quit that job, and they’re telling you what a great opportunity it is. It’s a terrific team of people. Have I mentioned we’re like family around here? Of course! They’re lying to you! So just remember, everyone’s posturing. Everyone’s trying to look good. Everyone’s trying to finesse the situation. You, them, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). They’re lying? They’re really lying? You think they’re lying to me? [***Highlight Your Leadership for Executive Jobs***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lil) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg)**[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)**things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ***[Executive Presence](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-848)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3000 episodes over 14+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) ### ***[Avoid Non-Compete Agreements](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5dl)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, No BS Job Search Advice, Text **Tags:** Companies lie, Everybody is lying, Everybody's lying, Hiring managers lie, job hunters lie, Lying During a job search, Lying during your job search, recruiters lie --- ### [Should I Include My LinkedIn URL on a CV or Resume?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/should-i-include-my-linkedin-url-on-a-cv-or-resume-no-bs-job-search-advice-radio-2/) **Published:** May 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** As usual, "Yes," but . . .  **Content:** # Should I Include My LinkedIn URL on a CV or Resume? **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** As usual, “Yes,” but . . . Good morning, it’s [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). And the question for today is, tell me, tell me, what’s the question? Should I include my [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL on my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) or CV? Now, every time I answer a question, it seems like I’m answering yes, but. But if it fits, I’m going to say it. Yes, but. Here’s the thing. First of all, let me say that, yes, I think firms are going to check your background, regardless. They’re looking for congruence between what you say on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and what’s on your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. Why do they do this? Because people lie. They exaggerate one component of their background and minimize others. And suddenly, you discover that this programmer . . . I’m using programmer as an example, who’s [applying for a job](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-does-it-mean-when-a-job-you-applied-to-opens-a-new-posting-on-the-same-site-shorts/) doing Java development, has been doing primarily C sharp or worse C programming for most of their career. In the last six months, they’ve been working in Java, and it shows on their [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. Again, an exaggerated example, but it is some of the things that you find here. You find dates that are different on the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile from what’s on the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). How stupid can you be? So, understand that if you’re going to put a URL, as you should, because it makes it more convenient for people, because they’re going to look for you anyway, and better that they find you easily than someone else who looks or acts like you, or has a similar background to you, and rejects the [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) because their background just seems weird to them and they’re confused. After all, trust me, I’ve only done this for 40 some odd years. There are people with identical names working for the same large firm. And suddenly, you discover something incongruent about the wrong person’s background. So just make it easy for them. You can put the link on not as the full link, but underneath your name, city, state, zip code, you don’t have to put the address just city, state, zip code. I’ve covered that in other videos. Phone number where you want to be called. Put your mobile number there, please. Don’t put a home number where you’re going to wait until you get home from work that night, forget to check messages, wait another day, and then get pissed off at the [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) who are in your inbox and they’ve called once or maybe twice because you haven’t gotten back to them. And it’s your [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), but you’re pissed at them. Just put the [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile in your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). You can say, [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile, embed it, make it a live link. Embed the URL in whatever text you write on your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), so people can find you quickly. After all, the things that you do to inspire [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/) by being smart about your presentation seem small, but they build on themselves like blocks or bricks in a building and suddenly have a very firm structure there. And firms love to see things. They’d love to talk to people who inspire [confidence](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-build-unshakeable-career-confidence-through-action/). They don’t like to hesitate because when they hesitate, you know, they pause for a second and normally go on to something else. So, just make it easy. Put your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) URL underneath your name, city, state, zip code. Zip code, in particular, is important. Phone number that you want to be called at. Check your phone messages if it’s on your mobile when you go to lunch or before the end of your workday. Respond to messages. You know, when you get them, don’t wait until you get home to write a message back with your time and availability. Just call. It’ll take you 15-20 minutes tops to have a quick chat with someone about your background. And I’ll simply say, just do it. It will serve you well. It doesn’t take a lot of effort. Hope you found this helpful and have a great day. [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Resumes Aren’t Just About Responsibilities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ksy) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** Ask The Big Game Hunter, LinkedIn, No BS Resume Advice **Tags:** Should I Include My LinkedIn URL on a CV or Resume? --- ### [Even If You’re Short on Experience #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/even-if-youre-short-on-experience-shorts/) **Published:** May 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** @jessicaholbrookhernandez3502 offered this advice for less experienced people as a reminder of what you can do. **Content:** # Even If You’re Short on Experience #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/pon9Xty_dBg) [ @jessicaholbrookhernandez3502 ](https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCjjvoJT6DTdKoXvtFkHfoHg) offered this advice for less experienced people as a reminder of what you can do. [***How to Announce on LinkedIn You Were Laid Off***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-jtD) **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. ### [***38 Deadly Interview Mistakes to Avoid***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-k9Z) **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***Resumes Aren’t Just About Responsibilities***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ksy) He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3000 episodes over 13+ years. *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, College Grads, Networking **Tags:** Even If You’re Short on Experience --- ### [Why Was I Rejected and Then Offered the Job By My Employer?](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-was-i-rejected-and-then-offered-the-job-by-my-employer/) **Published:** May 7, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Should I go ahead and apply again or tell them that I applied with the company before but was rejected immediately? **Content:** # Why Did My Employer Reject Me for a Job & Then Call Me a Few Weeks Later Offering It to Me? \#shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/dFpZjPjMn-A) If a company rejected me when I directly applied but after a few months an [employment](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) agency calls me for the same role, should I go ahead and apply again or tell them that I applied with the company before but was rejected immediately? ***[Why Tech Professionals Are Looking for Jobs in Finance](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mgV)*** ## **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) and [career advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) and succeeding in [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/) easier. **You will find great info and [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Subscribe to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio, the OG of [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) podcasts with more than 3000 shows, wherever you listen to podcasts** **[*How Do Recruiters Filter Out People Who Apply to A Lot of Jobs?*](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mgB)** **[Connect on ](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠)**[LinkedIn](https://⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠) [⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us).** [***The Body Language Guide for Job Hunters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mhN) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* Please contact us to [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) the use of our content as [training](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) data. **Categories:** #Shorts, Ask The Big Game Hunter, Job Offer, Rejection **Tags:** Why Was I Rejected and Then Offered the Job By My Employer? --- ### [5 Career-Stalling Mistakes Executives Make and How to Pivot](https://thebiggamehunter.us/5-career-stalling-mistakes-executives-make-and-how-to-pivot/) **Published:** May 8, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** For a high-level leader, the primary danger in a job search isn't a lack of experience; it’s the reliance on a playbook that is ten years out of date. **Content:** # 5 Career-Stalling Mistakes Executives Make and How to Pivot **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** For a high-level leader, the primary danger in a [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) isn’t a lack of experience; it’s the reliance on a playbook that is ten years out of date. Executive roles are not “filled”; they are “awarded” to the person who represents the lowest risk and the highest strategic upside. When a leader approaches the market with an employee mindset, they inadvertently signal that they have reached their ceiling. To maintain your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/)** and command the room, you must avoid these five common structural errors. ### 1. Treating the Resume as a Biography Many [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) produce a six-page chronological “history of everything.” This forces the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/recruiters-dont-fill-that-many-jobs-shorts/) to do the heavy lifting of figuring out your relevance. If your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) is a list of duties rather than a record of **Capital Allocation and ROI**, you are being viewed as a manager, not an operator. - **The Fix:** Move to a **Thesis-Driven [Resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/)**. The first half-page should establish your “Investment Thesis”—why [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) you is a sound financial and strategic decision. - **The Action:** Every bullet point must answer: *“How did this move the needle on EBITDA, market share, or enterprise value?”* If it doesn’t have a metric, it’s fluff. ### 2. Over-Reliance on “The Big Search” Firms Many leaders assume that sending their [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) to a “Big Five” [search firm](https://thebiggamehunter.us/if-a-search-firm-asks-you-to-recommend-someone-does-that-mean-they-want-you/) (like Korn Ferry or Spencer Stuart) is a completed strategy. In reality, these firms work for the client, not you. You are simply a data point in their database until a specific search fits your exact profile. - **The Fix:** Cultivate the **Boutique and PortCo Relationship**. Focus on boutique firms that specialize in your specific niche or the Operating Partners within Private [Equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) firms. - **The Action:** Use a **Micro-Sprint** to identify the Operating Partners at the top 10 PE firms investing in your sector. They are the ones tasked with finding “Turnaround Operators” for their [portfolio](https://thebiggamehunter.us/whats-keeping-my-boss-from-seeing-my-cover-letter-resume-and-work-samples-online/) companies. ### 3. The “Generalist” Identity Crisis In an attempt to be “flexible,” [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) often present themselves as “Global Leaders” who can do “anything.” In a high-stakes search, “anything” is synonymous with “nothing specific.” The market pays a premium for the **Surgical Strike**, not the general practitioner. - **The Fix:** Double down on your **[Onlyness](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) Intersection**. Are you the “SaaS Scale-up specialist for EMEA” or the “Post-Merger Integration [expert](https://thebiggamehunter.us/when-you-have-a-problem-you-go-to-an-expert-shorts/) for Manufacturing”? - **The Action:** Scrub your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) of “General Excellence” buzzwords. Replace them with specific, high-resolution industry friction points you solve. ### 4. Failing the “Digital Turing Test” If an executive has a dormant [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile and an outdated headshot, they signal a lack of digital fluency. In 2026, a leader who cannot navigate the digital town square is viewed as a liability to the company’s modern [brand](https://thebiggamehunter.us/you-may-not-think-of-yourself-as-having-a-brand-shorts/) and culture. - **The Fix:** Curate an **Authority Signal**. You don’t need to be an “influencer,” but you must be an “expert participant.” - **The Action:** Spend 15 minutes a day leaving high-level, contrarian, or additive comments on posts from industry thought leaders. This ensures that when a board member Googles you, they see a leader engaged with the future, not a relic of the past. ### 5. Defensive Interviewing (The “Interviewee” Trap) Most [executives](https://thebiggamehunter.us/facing-executive-obsolescence-vs-the-ai-powered-executive/) wait for questions and then answer them. This is the behavior of a candidate, not a peer. If you are defending your background for 60 minutes, you have failed to take control of the strategic narrative. - **The Fix:** Shift to the **Consultative Defense**. Approach the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/interview-mistakes-not-addressing-a-concern-proactively-shorts/) as a working session to solve the company’s problems. - **The Action:** Lead with a **Diagnostic Question**. *“I’ve analyzed your Q3 report; it seems the 4% margin compression is coming from \[X\]. Is that where you want me to focus my first 90 days, or is there a deeper structural issue we haven’t discussed?”* ### The Bottom Line The [executive search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/finding-a-job-as-an-executive-or-leader-shorts/) is a test of your ability to lead. If your search is disorganized, generic, or passive, the market assumes your leadership will be too. By pivoting from a “Job Seeker” to an “Operational Asset,” you bypass the friction and move directly into the high-value conversations that define [the Third Door](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). Ⓒ [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc., Asheville, NC 2026 ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***AI and the Future of Your Job***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oKG) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group coaching. [***The Cost of a Long Job Search***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oM3) Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 2700 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. *[**When Following Up Backfires**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oL4)* ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[LinkedIn’s #opentowork Post](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-ouL)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Executive/ C Suite Search, Mistakes, Text **Tags:** 5 Career-Stalling Mistakes Executives Make and How to Pivot --- ### [There Are A Lot of People Who Are Competent #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-are-competent-shorts/) **Published:** April 30, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** I’ve interviewed hundreds of thousands of people. What I’m telling you when this video is absolutely true. The are a lot of people who are competent. **Content:** # There Are A Lot of People Who Are Competent #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/-qC9Lu7ji-I) I’ve interviewed hundreds of thousands of people. What I’m telling you when this video is absolutely true. ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JeffAltman-79-212x300.jpg)[Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. [***Seven Steps To Branding Yourself As An Expert***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-edP) **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***8 Things You Do That Scare Hiring Managers and Sabotage Yourself*** ](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-nn2) ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/reorder-your-skills-on-linkedin-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***It’s Easier to Network Than You Think!***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-4Am) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** #Shorts, Interviews **Tags:** There Are A Lot of People who Are Competent --- ### [Crack Your Offer's Code](https://thebiggamehunter.us/crack-your-offers-code/) **Published:** May 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** This episode breaks down the "hidden math" and 8 structural pillars corporations use to build your offer. **Content:** # Crack Your Offer’s Code **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3145 Most people sabotage their negotiation by reacting with emotion instead of logic the second a number is mentioned. This episode breaks down the “hidden math” and 8 structural pillars corporations use to build your [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), giving you the blueprint to counter-offer with precision. Stop guessing what you’re worth and start negotiating against the actual constraints of the machine. Welcome to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. Episode, episode number 3145. You get the call. The [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-to-tell-the-agency-recruiter-to-work-for-you-jobsearchtv-com/) says you got the job. For about five seconds, you feel pure elation. Then they read you the proposed [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), and the excitement vanishes, instantly replaced by the [anxiety](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) of evaluating the number. The most common [mistake](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) candidates make happens right here. In that split second, they either accept the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) purely out of relief, or they immediately push back because a superficial internet search told them they should be making more. That [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) did not come out of thin air. It is the highly calibrated output of a rigid corporate machine. To [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) successfully, you have to suppress your emotional reaction. Your first job is to reverse engineer their hidden math. Every compensation package is built on an architectural framework. Companies rely on eight distinct pillars to construct their initial [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). First, they lay down the external baselines. They benchmark the market rate to see what competitors pay for similar roles, and then they adjust that floor based on the cost of living in your specific geographic location. Next come the rigid internal constraints. Each department is allocated a strict budget by leadership. They also have to maintain internal alignment. If they pay you significantly more than a current employee doing the exact same work, they create a massive retention issue. The upper levels are all about you. They factor in your specific background and the role’s overall value to achieving business goals. If the position has clear advancement opportunities, they may intentionally start your base pay on the lower end to leave room for your growth potential. Finally, the roof has a built-in expansion joint. This is the negotiation range. Many companies intentionally budget three to five percent above their initial [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), fully expecting you to counter. Identifying which of these structural pillars is dragging your number down dictates your entire negotiation strategy. Before you present a counter [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), you have to investigate the context. If you don’t know how they built the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/), you don’t know what you’re negotiating against. You need to extract their hidden constraints safely. This requires a completely neutral, non-confrontational tone. You are simply seeking information. Ask them directly, but softly. The [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) is close to my expectations. Just so I understand, how was the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) determined for this role? Then isolate how they weighed your personal experience. Say, I appreciate the [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). I’d love to hear a little more about how my qualifications specifically contributed to reaching this compensation level. Listen closely to their explanation without judgment. Executing this intelligence gathering phase narrows the information gap. You are no longer guessing what they value. You are identifying the specific levers available for your counter [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/). Your evaluation must extend beyond the base [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). You need to map out the entire total rewards package. Ask for the specific timeline for [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/) reviews and increases. Figure out how bonus structures and [equity](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) factor in, and see if they [offer](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-truth-about-your-equity-offer-may-be-very-disheartening/) benefits like paid relocation or a signing bonus. When you finally ask if they can be a little flexible with the starting [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/), follow a strict rule. You must be [prepared](https://thebiggamehunter.us/being-prepared-jobsearchagram/) to answer with a definitive number that will make you say yes without making them say no. But as you ask these questions, stop focusing on the numbers for a moment. Analyze the human reaction across the table. You are looking for the tell. Notice how they respond to being questioned. Are they providing helpful context, or are they exhibiting subtle physical signals of impatience and hidden hostility? The way a company reacts to these questions serves as a preview of the working relationship. If they respond to a request for transparency with impatience or hostility, you have evidence of a potential cultural mismatch before you ever sign the contract. Thanks for tuning in to No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio. For more strategies to help navigate [your career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/your-career-doesnt-have-to-end-shorts/), visit jobsearch.community. [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Verbal Job Offers**](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT)* **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for Career Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Job Offer, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio **Tags:** Crack Your Offer's Code --- ### [Why Your "Master Resume" Is Killing Your Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-master-resume-is-killing-your-job-search/) **Published:** May 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** EP 3134 Learn how to weaponize AI and strategic keyword placement to force your application to the top of the stack and secure the interview. **Content:** # Why Your “Master Resume” Is Killing Your Job Search **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** EP 3134 Stop sending generic [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) into the digital abyss. If you aren’t tailoring your experience to the specific demands of the job post, you’re invisible to [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). Learn how to weaponize [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) and strategic keyword placement to force your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) to the top of the stack and secure the [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/). [***Networking Like a Leader***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oMQ) You spend hours drafting a [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), hit submit, and nothing. Your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/) falls into the void, disappearing alongside hundreds of others. We are going to fix that. Today, we will stop sending out generic master [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) and instead build a targeted, keyword-optimized document that demands attention. Step one is gathering your materials. You need four things ready right now. Your current master [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/), a target job description, access to an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) chat tool, and your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. A standard [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) often acts like a megaphone, broadcast to anyone who will listen. A targeted [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) asks a specific question, how can I solve your company’s problem? Effective [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) function as marketing tools designed to answer a single employer’s needs. Let’s start with keywords. [Recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) are not searching their databases for vague soft skills like team player or well-spoken. They are searching for functional, job-specific hard keywords. Open that target job description. We need to extract the exact job titles and technical requirements the employer is asking for. This split-screen diagram shows exactly how to do this. Read the posting on the left and highlight the functional skills they need, like contract negotiation. Now bring that exact language over to your document, replacing empty fluff words with those functional skills. Next, look at your work experience section. A [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) full of every responsibility you have ever held distracts the reader from your actual qualifications. Aggressively cut any duty from your past [jobs](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-employment-situation-june-2026/) that is not applicable to this new position. If it does not serve the exact demands of the target role, cross it out. By intentionally removing those irrelevant details, you focus the employer’s attention exactly where it needs to be, on your most applicable qualifications. Now that we have a pruned list of relevant responsibilities, we need to convert them into value-added accomplishments. We can use an [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) chat tool to speed up this process. Before you do anything else, remove all your personal contact information from the document. Never feed your private data into a public [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool. Once your document is scrubbed clean, copy your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and the target job description and paste them both into your [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) tool. This chat interface shows the exact prompt you need to use. Type, tailor my [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) achievements to match the demands of this specific job description. When the [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) generates the revised bullets, you must read through them carefully. Verify that every modified achievement is factually accurate before you cobble it over to your final [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/). [AI](https://thebiggamehunter.us/master-the-ai-skills-that-cant-be-automated/) translates your actual background into the specific language this employer values. Let’s move to the very top of your document. This is where your opening statement sits, and its strategic purpose is to grab the reader’s attention immediately. Look at this comparison. An outdated objective tells the company what you expect from them. A modern opening summary sells your attributes pertaining to the role, like fund accountant with five years experience streamlining profit and loss management. [Employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) look for an introductory statement that fits exactly what they are trying to find. You must respond directly to their needs to persuade them you are qualified and tempt them to keep reading. Directly below that opening summary, add a dedicated primary knowledge or skills section. Populate this new section exclusively with those industry-specific hard keywords we extracted from the job description back in step one. This architectural wireframe illustrates how your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) should be built. By slotting these keywords into the top third of the page, you ensure your document passes the [Applicant Tracking System](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/), or [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/). An [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) is the software [employers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-employers-look-for-in-a-resume-shorts/) use to scan, sort, and rank candidate [resumes](https://thebiggamehunter.us/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-results-jobsearchtv-com-shorts/) based on specific search terms. The top third of your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) acts as a gatekeeper. If you do not instantly prove your value and pass the [ATS](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-stacking-principle-why-average-skills-in-oversupplied-markets-are-invisible/) filters up front, detailed accomplishments lower down the page will never [be seen](https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-seen-be-known-shorts/). Now that your local document is optimized, we have to look at your public digital footprint, specifically your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) profile. Take the tailored information from your new document and update your [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) headline, your About section, and your most recent experience. This scanning graphic shows the process from a recruiter’s perspective. When a [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) manager receives your [application](https://thebiggamehunter.us/6-second-job-search-tips-applications-2/), they perform a congruence check by cross-referencing your document with your public profile, looking for matches between your dates, titles, and skills. Let’s review what you have accomplished. You started with a list of past duties and systematically translated it into an ATS-friendly marketing package. Ensuring that your [resume](https://thebiggamehunter.us/essential-job-search-tools/) and your digital profile tell the same story bridges the gap between shouting into the void and securing an actual [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/going-on-an-interview-in-a-bad-mood-shorts/). For further [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/), video courses, and resources to help you step into your next role, head over to[ jobsearch.community](http://jobsearch.community). [***Verbal Job Offers***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oPT) ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/)![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/JeffAltman-57-242x300.jpg) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skills-is-bs-shorts/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. *[**Make Your AI Edited Resume Standout**](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nlZZGknBrmYNub265Njo1)* **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). ***[The Game For an Executive Resume Is Different](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oSD)*** Also, subscribe to [⁠JobSearchTV.com⁠](https://jobsearchtv.com/) **on YouTube** and **No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio**, the #1 podcast for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with more than 3100 episodes over 12+ years.in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music and almost anywhere you listen or watch podcasts. You can also have your #jobsearchquestions answered Tuesdays at noon Eastern. Search for [Career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) Coach Office Hours on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/) and mark that you’re attending. You’ll have access to the recording if you miss it live. ***[The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-oQX)*** ***Schedule a discovery call at my website,* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us) to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2)[⁠ www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) ***[Stop Bombing Your Interviews](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uGakiYlbNLbcPXdsSpsRL)*** *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Mistakes, No B. S. Job Search Advice Radio, No BS Resume Advice, Text **Tags:** Why Your "Master Resume" Is Killing Your Job Search --- ### [Career Suicide](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-suicide/) **Published:** May 5, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Let's talk about the job hunter relationship with recruiters and how not to commit career suicide. **Content:** # Career Suicide ****[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**** Let’s talk about the job hunter relationship with [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/). I will preface this all by saying not every [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is capable. Not every [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is experienced. As a matter of fact some of them lie and are incompetent. Be that as it may, let’s also talk about job hunters. [***Job Search Mistakes– Only Relying on Recruiters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-rD) In the recruiting business, there are a couple of basic jokes that we tell.![student ](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/student-pexels-kampus-production-5940861-200x300.jpg) The first joke that we tell new [recruiters](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) is, “How can you tell a job applicant is lying to you,” and the answer is “Their lips are moving.” The next joke is “How can you tell an institutional customer is lying to you? The answer is, “Their lips are moving.” The third one is “How can you tell a recruiter’s lying to you?” The answer is, “Their lips are moving.” It’s not that everyone is actually lying; everyone is posturing for advantage—you, the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/), the employer– everyone is trying to get the [best](https://thebiggamehunter.us/always-do-your-best-shorts/) deal possible. However, let’s talk with you about stupid thing that job applicants sometimes do. Let me tell you a story from my time doing recruiting. [***I Hate Cover Letters***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-i4V) There’s a person I worked with who’s is a very experienced guy in IT. He was out of work for five months when I met him. I didn’t understand why until I started working with him. He would say one thing to me and say something different to my client. I had relationships with the firms I recruited for; I’d worked with them for years; they trusted me. With one of the firms, I’d work with them since they were half 1 billion in size and now they do close to $12 billion in revenue. Obviously, I go back with them a long time and have worked with this practice for many years. I asked the job hunter a simple question. “Would you accept less than what you’re making now?” He said, “Yeah, I guess so.” “How much less?” He told me. I spoke with my client; they were unwilling to pay what he was previously earning; they just didn’t see the value in it. The number he now quoted to me was now something they found acceptable. So I scheduled an [interview](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) for him. He talks to my client; they ask him how much will you accept? He started with the original [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). Wrong. You don’t do that. The impact of that was they come to me; they asked me about it and I told them about my conversation with him. They, in turn, respond by saying, “No. We want to verify that;” So they call him a second time and ask the question again. He stated the same high number and they said, “We’re not interested.” That’s the impact of your deception. You say one thing to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and then you say something different to the client. You think you can [negotiate](https://thebiggamehunter.us/negotiating-salary-through-a-recruiter/) at the end but can’t. You have to at least make them fall in love first because, as I say to people all the time, “No love? No money. No honey.” You can say things like, “I was making such and such and am flexible. I prefer not to be flexible but if it’s necessary to get a good job with an organization I respect and admire, I’ll take a few dollars less.” But when you say one thing to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) and something different to a client, understand the company and the [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) have a lengthy relationship with one another. They know you’re lying. They know you’re blowing smoke at them and they won’t tolerate it. They start asking themselves pretty quickly “What else is s/he lying about? Where else are they are they going to give me a headache that I don’t really need to have?” “We don’t really care because we are looking for someone who’s honest and forthright, not someone who’s going to, shall we say, ‘finesse us all the time.” Be honest about things. If you say something to a [recruiter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-strategic-response-to-recruiters-and-search-firms/) stick with it. If not, explain why you changed your mind. With the screener, stick to the original script until you get to the real decionmaker. After you’ve won them over, then you might be able to get them to improve the [salary](https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-1-salary-negotiation-mistake-shorts/). If you do it with the screer, they have no power to say yes. They have the power to reject your candidacy but not [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) you. © [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), Inc. Asheville, NC 2016, 2023, 2024 ***[I’m Interviewing For a Job and Saw That It Has Been Re-Posted](https://youtu.be/QLRNqHXb65M)*** ### **ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER** People [hire](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-hire-and-retain-great-people-2/) more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3000 episodes. ![Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/JeffAltman-1-249x300.jpg) ***[How To Thrive In Your Career If You Have a Disability](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-dSd)*** **You will find great info to help with your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at my new site,** [⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community)**[JobSearch.Community⁠⁠](https://www.JobSearch.Community) Besides the video courses, books and guides, I answer questions from members daily about their [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/). Leave [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) questions and I will respond daily. Become an Insider+ member and you get everything you’d get as an Insider PLUS you can get me on Zoom calls to get questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we do individual and group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/). [***A Management Lesson from Coach K***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-8j7) **Schedule a discovery call to speak with me about [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) you during your [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) at ⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠ to discuss one-on-one or group [coaching](https://thebiggamehunter.us/what-do-all-successful-athletes-and-pros-have-in-common/) with me** [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/T⁠⁠heBigGameHunter⁠](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) [⁠Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques⁠](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) [***Who Gets Your Attention?***](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-81V) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to* [⁠www.TheBigGameHunter.us⁠](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) *makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.* **Categories:** Mistakes, Recruiters, Text **Tags:** career suicide, Job Search Mistakes, selling out a recruiter --- ### [Are Job Interviews Done by Phone Easier or Harder? #shorts](https://thebiggamehunter.us/are-job-interviews-done-by-phone-easier-or-harder-shorts/) **Published:** May 6, 2026 **Author:** tbgh-jeff **Excerpt:** Are job interviews done by phone usually easier or harder? **Content:** # Are Job Interviews Done by Phone Easier or Harder? #shorts **[By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter](https://JobSearch.Community)** [***Click here if the video does not play properly.***](https://youtube.com/shorts/VKxks_0XawI) Are [job interviews](https://thebiggamehunter.us/mastering-interview-anxiety-the-psychology-of-unflappable-interview/) done by phone usually easier or harder? ***[Winning Interviews: Match Their Needs with Your Skills](https://wp.me/p4aIk1-kb1)*** **ABOUT [JEFF ALTMAN](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [THE BIG GAME HUNTER](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/)** People hire [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) to provide No BS [Career Advice](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-june-7-2026/) globally because he makes many things in peoples’ [careers](https://thebiggamehunter.us/high-leverage-careers-2026-how-to-capitalize-on-labor-shortages/) easier. Those things can involve [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/),![Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/salary-negotiation-mistakes-giving-them-a-range-jobsearchtv-com0_thumbnail-300x169.jpg) [hiring](https://thebiggamehunter.us/people-will-remember-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts-quotes/) more effectively, managing and leading better, [career](https://thebiggamehunter.us/career-immortality-career-angles/) transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues. *Schedule a Strategic Advisory call at my website, [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://dashboard.blaze.today/snippet/www.TheBigGameHunter.us)* He is the producer and former host of “No BS [Job Search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for [job search](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/) with over 3100 episodes. Website: [https://](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[w](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us)[ww.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) (schedule a paid coaching session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services) Follow me on [LinkedIn](https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-linkedin-premium-worth-it-shorts/): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/T](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter)[heBigGameHunter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter) Books, Guides, Courses, Services: [www.JobSearch.Community](http://www.JobSearch.Community) [Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques](https://jeffaltman.gumroad.com/l/Critique2) [www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques) *We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to [www.TheBigGameHunter.us](https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us) and notice is provided that it is provided by [Jeff Altman](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-july-19-2026/), [The Big Game Hunter](https://thebiggamehunter.us/no-bs-career-advice-ju