Just when you think you have a handle on the unwritten rules and practices that govern the job-hunting process, you realize how much more you need to learn.
Thanks to the rise of AI vs AI job screening, auto apply tools and a fiercely competitive job market, a new bevy of unspoken rules has emerged that dictate what is acceptable-and most beneficial- to say and do.
Understanding the following unspoken rules, guidelines and expectations of recruiters and tech hiring managers can help you act appropriately and navigate the intricacies of an increasingly challenging job search process.
Summary
Using “Spray and Pray” Methods Can Get You Blacklisted
Applying for multiple roles at a company when you don't meet the qualifications not only makes you seem desperate and unfocused, but it can also get you blacklisted cautioned Andrei Kurtuy, co-founder and CMO of Novorésumé.
Modern applicant tracking systems (ATS) can identify and flag someone who applies to multiple irrelevant jobs, ensuring that you’ll never get a call back Kurtuy explained.
You might think that applying to five different jobs at the same company would increase your chances, but it doesn’t. In fact, it harms your candidacy for all positions, including ones you might be a better fit for.
It’s better to spend more time and write a qualitative application for selected opportunities than to come off as unfocused or spammy.
Boring is Lethal
If you brand yourself as a “detail oriented, team player with strong communication skills who's passionate about technology,” you’re not alone. In fact, Kurtuy estimates that 50 percent of the resumes and cover letters he reads use a similar description.
If your resume sounds identical to the 200 other people that applied, you don’t stand a chance he says. Which is yet another drawback of giving AI free reign to create your resume. Even if you’re describing something routine like creating technical documentation, don’t use boring words. Show your value in a unique way or use storytelling to stand out and be memorable.
Don’t Go to an Interview Unless You Know Why They Should Hire You
If you can’t explain why a company should hire you, don’t bother going to the interview warned Kathy Bremer, managing director at BoardWalk Consulting and author of “Headhunter Confidential: The Unwritten Rules For Landing A Job You Love.”
Hiring managers and recruiters expect you to understand and explain why you're the best candidate, and how you plan to use your skills, experience and attributes to generate value and success for the company.
Interviews are About Them, Not You
Focusing on what you want from a career perspective, especially during the early stage of the interview process, will ruin your chances.
Instead, be the solution to their problem.
“Hit the bullseye,” Bremer said. The goal is to present your background and experience in light of what the company and the hiring manager needs, not what you’re looking for.
No One Will Hire a Flight Risk
Being overqualified these days does not make you a “bargain” because employers fear that over-qualified candidates will become bored, leave for a better opportunity, or require a higher salary than the budget allows.
No hiring manager or company wants to go through the expense and hassle of having to rehire for the same job every six months. So, for instance, if you're an unemployed senior developer applying for a mid-level role, consider tailoring your resume, your project experience and previous span of control to fit the role and the company’s needs.
You Can Be Stereotyped
Companies are often hesitant to hire candidates perceived as "stuck in the past" for fear that they will be resistant to new technologies or unwilling to adapt to change.
Avoid negative stereotypes by positioning yourself as forward-thinking, optimistic and by focusing on the tools, programs and approaches you have recently learned and are planning to learn.
You Can’t Land a High Paying Job by Applying Online
Landing a high paying job is (almost) impossible through online applications alone. In fact, one 2024 survey showed that the hiring rate for roles paying over $96,000 was at its lowest point since 2014, excluding the pandemic dip.
To secure a high-paying job, build genuine relationships through networking to get employee referrals, which are significantly more effective than cold applications when the stakes (and salaries) are high.
Companies are still recruiting for high-paying jobs, but the process is more strategic and human-centric than just using automated tools. The rule that job seekers need to remember is that people still hire people, especially for jobs carrying greater responsibility or impact.
Ghost Jobs Exist
Ghost jobs are advertisements or job postings from real companies, but the openings don't actually exist or may have been promised to an existing employee.
Sometimes, HR wants to collect resumes and applications or they have an internal candidate in mind, so they take down the posting after a few days without contacting any external candidates Kurtuy notes.
The reality is that you’re better off networking and getting the inside scoop on the company culture, tasks and responsibilities, and the ideal candidate profile before applying.