How to Use AI to Discover Where You’re Actually Competitive in the Job Market

Kelli HrivnakJob Search Tactics, Job Seeker Advice Leave a Comment

Everyone’s using GenAI to rewrite or tweak their resume. Here’s the smarter play. You’ve probably used ChatGPT to amp up or even write your resume. I’m all for using whatever tools are available to you, and the glorious thing about genAI is that it’s accessible to anyone for free or at a low cost. When you use smart prompts and …

How to Job Search Like a Headhunter (A Recruiter’s Playbook)

Kelli HrivnakJob Search Tactics, Job Seeker Advice Leave a Comment

I’m often asked by job seekers if they can pay me to help them find a job. The short answer is no. I don’t offer job search services like the old-school headhunter model, or you might hear newer versions of this called “reverse recruiting.” While I could structure a plan followed by action items, it’s just not a service I’d …

Why Your 2026 Job Search Needs an Interactive Portfolio Chatbot

Kelli HrivnakJob Search Tactics, Job Seeker Advice, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Why Portfolio Chatbots are a Game-Changer As a recruiter, I see the same problem repeatedly: talented candidates are overlooked because their portfolios (or resume) don’t answer the right questions quickly enough. Here’s what hiring teams actually need to know to determine whether the applicant is worth a screen: Traditional resumes or a static portfolio might get you to all four …

robot and person looking at cmputer

How to Modernize Your Resume for the AI Era

Kelli HrivnakJob Search Tactics, Resume Writing Leave a Comment

Everyone’s suddenly an “AI-powered professional.” Open LinkedIn and you’ll see a wave of resumes listing ChatGPT, Perplexity, Notion AI, Midjourney. It’s starting to look a lot like when everyone used to put “Microsoft Office” under skills. Yes, demonstrating familiarity with AI tools is nearly a non-negotiable requirement now. But here’s the truth: AI tools aren’t the differentiator anymore; it’s how you …

candidate improving STAR answers after interview rejection without feedback

Interview Rejection? What to Do Next (When You Get No Feedback)

Kelli HrivnakInterview Prep Leave a Comment

You put in hours of a job search. Then you landed the interview, so you researched and interview-prepped. Then came the dreaded “we went in another direction.” Cue the spiral: If I could just get feedback, I could fix it. Here’s the tough-love truth: chasing feedback is often a time sink. You’ll get more traction by investing that energy into …

interviewer confused with question mark on head

How Role Confusion Derails Your Hiring Process

Kelli HrivnakEmployer Branding, Hiring Advice, Interviewer training Leave a Comment

Picture this scenario: A professional walks into your office for an interview, jazzed about a potential opportunity. They’ve researched your company, prepared smart questions, and are ready to prove their skills. But by the time they leave, they’re more confused than when they arrived. So what went wrong? Your hiring team wasn’t on the same page. Here’s an arbitrary example: …

How to Stop AI-Generated Resumes From Overwhelming Your Hiring Process

Kelli HrivnakUncategorized Leave a Comment

The numbers don’t lie: LinkedIn applications have surged more than 45% in the past year, according to a recent New York Times article about employers drowning in AI-generated resumes. But while the headlines focus on the symptom (too many applications), the real conversation should be about solutions. The Real Problem Isn’t Al. It’s Laziness AI-generated resumes aren’t inherently the villain …

How Search Firms can Conduct Confidential Replacements for Underperformers

Kelli HrivnakHiring Advice Leave a Comment

Throughout my career, I’ve had clients reach out when they’re facing one of the most delicate situations in talent management: a senior-level hire who simply isn’t delivering. These aren’t performance issues that can be coached through. We’re talking about fundamental misalignment where the impact on business goals is significant. Here’s the reality: you can’t move forward with termination until you …

person looking at computer taking interview skills assessment

The Truth About Skills Assessments: What 80% of Job Seekers Really Think

Kelli HrivnakJob Search Tactics, Job Seeker Advice Leave a Comment

A data-driven look at candidate attitudes toward skills testing and how to implement assessments that work for everyone The Surprising Poll Results That Changed My Perspective When I recently polled my LinkedIn network about skills assessments, the results came as a complete surprise to me. 80% of job seekers said they WOULD take a skills assessment if they were made …