On White Fonting & This Month’s Hottest Jobs
Thinking of changing jobs? In hot pursuit of a new one already?
Here are some of the best tips I’ve come across for job seekers over the last month, with my own experience in the mix as well. Read on to find out how recruiters and hiring managers think about white fonting, when to submit your resume, and which jobs are hottest right now.
I Don’t Recommend White Fonting
It’s been the bane of job seekers for a while now — automated, AI-based filters that weed out resumes before they get seen by real humans.
One hack is called “white fonting,” and while a lot of recruiters hate it, the truth is — it might work. This is when you cut and paste a list of keywords from the job posting itself and include them in your resume in a white font. A person can’t actually see the keywords, but AI can.
As a recruiter and leader of KIP Search, you probably won’t be surprised to hear I’m not a huge fan of this technique. Even if it gets you through an applicant tracking system’s first screen, if you aren’t the right fit for the job, you’re just wasting people’s time.
A far smarter idea — assuming you ARE qualified — is to customized your resume to every job you apply for, using keywords in an intentional, thoughtful, and honest way throughout the resume.
Tuesday Is the Best Day to Try for a New Role
Want your highest chances of getting a new role? Try applying on Tuesday, according to ZipRecruiter. Their data shows that the most new jobs are posted on Tuesday, and that applying quickly boosts your odds. (Read more)
Now, do I think you should always apply for new jobs on Tuesdays? Hardly. The honest truth is, for entry-level jobs, getting your resume in ahead of the rest is probably smart. But as you move up the career chain, it’s less about winning the resume game and more about your whole strategy.
Assuming your resume makes the cut for a higher-level job — which it should, if you’re the right person for the role — then that strategy might include who you know, how you respond and whether you do well in initial interviewing. Having a recruiter at your back is, of course, also an advantage.
Recommending Reading for September
5 surprising jobs that won’t get eliminated by AI, on Fast Company
How Gen Zers are rethinking resumes as native personal social media storytellers, on Worklife News
How Workers Really Spend Their Days, on the Wall Street Journal
The Hottest Jobs Right Now
The latest LinkedIn jobs data says the most sought-after role right now is — ready for this? — customer service rep.
Not AI expert. Not even technologist. But customer service rep. Other hot jobs include meat cutters, bakers, personal shoppers, mental health specialists (!!) and, yes, AI engineers.
(And here’s the full lowdown on what jobs are trending, from LinkedIn, if you missed it.)
As President and CEO at KIP Search, I rarely conduct restaurant-related searches, and mental health specialists are unfortunately out of my purview. But for many other types of roles, I am your person. Reach out if you’re ready to launch a proactive job search!