By Kelli Hrivnak Companies ask me all the time whether they need an embedded recruiter or a project-based search. I run both models, and the answer usually comes down to one question: are you buying a recruiting outcome, or are you buying recruiting capacity? The better question is whether you need recruiting capacity or recruiting support for a defined search. …
What generative engine optimization (GEO) means for job seekers, and why your LinkedIn profile is only part of the answer. I wrote a post in 2023 about how to optimize your LinkedIn profile so recruiters could find you, and some of that advice still holds up. Recruiters use Boolean searches, although generative AI can now crank out the formula in …
Scammers are rampant, and I’m not talking about the Nigerian prince email from decades ago. Candidates in our network have been flagging a new playbook, and I got my hands on it. Here’s how it goes: a recruiter reaches out, gets you excited about a role, and then somewhere in the process your resume suddenly isn’t good enough. But don’t …
A few weeks ago, I posted a question on LinkedIn that stirred the pot. If you’re a candidate, how would you feel if a company called someone you didn’t list as a reference? The reaction wasn’t one-sided. A hundred+ comments later, what I walked away with wasn’t a clean answer. It was a much more layered conversation about trust, ethics, …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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: …
