No BS Career Advice: February 23, 2025

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

ALEX FREUND – The Landing Expert tagged me on a post about how many older people rely on their children for help with their technology. Adapting to change, he wrote, is one reason why ageism is so prevalent in the workforce (and, in my opinion) elsewhere.

This isn’t me (although I never set the time on my VCR). I’ve been an early adopter of new technology, trying to figure out how to use it to communicate with people.

I launched my podcast, No BS Job Search Advice Radio, in 2010. I almost started a year or two before but this software I tried using, Odeo, was awkward. Apparently, my experience wasn’;t unique because the founders returned investor money and started their next company. You may have heard of it–Twitter. I started YouTubing in 2008 when you were limited to 10 minute videos.

Alex shared with me that he asked a childhood friend whether he was using AI and ChatGPT. His friend answered, “What’s that?”

Once there was a programming language called COBOL. No one uses it anymore for reasons it’s unnecessary to go into. If you were a COBOL programmer, you lost your careers if you didn’t adapt. The same is true for ADA or Fortran programmers (look them up).

I remember the terror secretaries felt when a PC showed up on their desks and they had to learn how to use word processing software. Scared doesn’t begin to describe how people felt.

Today, some people are terrified to use AI in their work, and it will be the death of their careers. They will become the new COBOL programmers. People will laugh as you may have when you read about the earlier examples of Luddites (look it up) in the workplace.

Embrace the change NOW. Don’t hesitate.

Share this. Subscribe if you don’t already. Click the like button. Comment. Do things to help others in need of finding work.

I asked the Grok3 Beta, “What are 5 things most people who are looking for work don’t know?”

1. Networking is More Powerful Than Applying Online Most people focus heavily on submitting applications through job boards, but studies and anecdotal evidence suggest up to 70-85% of jobs are filled through networking, not public postings. Many roles are never even advertised—they’re filled via referrals or internal connections. Job seekers often underestimate the value of reaching out to people in their industry, attending events, or even leveraging platforms like LinkedIn or X to build relationships.

2. Your Resume Isn’t Always the First Impression While a polished resume is critical, many don’t realize that recruiters and hiring managers often check your online presence first—think LinkedIn, X posts, or even a quick Google search. A 2023 survey by CareerBuilder found that 70% of employers screen candidates’ social media profiles. Inconsistent personal branding or unprofessional content can tank your chances before your resume is even opened.

3. Soft Skills Can Outweigh Technical Skills Job postings list hard skills (e.g., coding, data analysis), but hiring managers frequently prioritize adaptability, communication, and emotional intelligence—skills harder to quantify. A 2022 LinkedIn report highlighted that 92% of talent professionals say soft skills matter as much or more than hard skills. Many candidates focus solely on certifications or technical prowess and miss showcasing how they solve problems or work in teams.

4. The Job Description Isn’t Set in Stone People often assume they need to meet every single requirement listed to apply, but job descriptions are more like wish lists than strict checklists. A 2018 study by TalentWorks found that candidates who met only 50-60% of qualifications but tailored their applications well still got interviews at high rates. Companies often adjust roles once they find the right person—flexibility and confidence matter more than perfection.

5. Employers Value Curiosity Over Expertise In a fast-changing work landscape, many job seekers don’t realize that showing a willingness to learn can trump years of experience. A 2024 Harvard Business Review article noted that employers increasingly seek “learning agility” because specific expertise can quickly become outdated. Asking smart questions in interviews or demonstrating how you’ve adapted to new challenges can set you apart more than a laundry list of past accomplishments.

These points reflect patterns in hiring behavior and workplace evolution—things that might not be obvious when you’re just scanning job listings or tweaking a cover letter.

Not bad.

Every week, I release new content in my blog. Among the articles I released this week were:

If At First …   https://wp.me/p4aIk1-g47

How to Job Search Like a Recruiter  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myt    

You May Not Think of Yourself as Having a Brand  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myw

Periodic LinkedIn Profile Updates  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lqJ   

The Reason You Aren’t Paid Overtime Goes Back to 1938 https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mxo  

The Three Things You Need to Know About Self-Sabotage & Your Job Search https://wp.me/p4aIk1-3Nv  

Executives–Be Careful With Those Metrics! https://youtu.be/miQCagd_R90

X Launched a New Job Site https://wp.me/p4aIk1-lnU

How to Be Your Own Life Coach | Self Coaching for Beginners https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myD

Why Are Linear Career Paths Disappearing?  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myH

Career Coach Office Hours: February 18 2025  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myT  

The Top 10 Career Mistakes People Make https://wp.me/p4aIk1-5yQ

Don’t Tip Your Hand https://youtu.be/VmJKmA3kd5I

Resume Mistakes: Not Paying Attention to the Visuals https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myo

Hiring Lessons from Major League Baseball https://wp.me/p4aIk1-yn  

If You Act Like Everyone Else on a Job Interview  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mz2  

The Top 10 Reasons Your Resume Isn’t Getting Results https://wp.me/p4aIk1-9nI   

The True Believer for Modern Times https://wp.me/p4aIk1-myK  

Tough Interview Questions: What Skills Are You Lacking? https://youtu.be/Lv2dr04t8gg

From Paycheck to Purpose https://wp.me/p4aIk1-gys  

10 Remote Tech Jobs You Can Do From Home https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mzu   

The Speaker at Your College Graduation https://wp.me/p4aIk1-mzy

Trust  https://wp.me/p4aIk1-eGF    

Tell Me About a Time When You Had to Take Someone’s Cultural Perspective Into Account https://wp.me/p4aIk1-87h  

How to End an Interview the Right Way https://youtu.be/h1vO1Sj9rns  

I also read, watched, and listened to content from several others including:

The Rise of the Networked Generalist

Stop Tweaking Your Old-Fashioned Executive Resume To Death!

Calming Your Nerves Before An Interview

If you have job search questions, join me for Career Coach Office Hours on LinkedIn or on YouTube on Tuesday at noon Eastern If you can’t attend live, mark that you’ll attend on LinkedIn, message your question to me, and watch the replay.

Subscribe to No BS Job Search Advice Radio, the #1 podcast in Apple Podcasts for job search wherever you listen to podcasts.

I can help you with your job search. Join me as an Insider at JobSearch.Community for advice about your job search and coaching from me (on Insider+, Insider Premium, Insider 30, Insider 60 or The Insider Bundle). You can schedule a free discovery call to evaluate me as a coach.