'Appear busy, not desperate': 20+ job search hacks to remember when brushing up your resume

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Oct 24, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

Applying for jobs is never a fun time, but there are a few rules people don't really talk about that will make the application process slightly more bearable. 

For instance, if you're one of those people constantly clicking "Easy Apply" on LinkedIn or Indeed, you're not making anything easier for yourself. The first job search hack on this list provides a far more direct solution: apply directly on the company website. You would think this is self-explanatory, but so many of these third-party sites have convinced applicants that they are the "way to go," so to speak. The reality of the matter is that if you can get to hiring managers, HR reps, and potential employers directly, you're far more likely to find success. 

Another nice hack involves tailoring your resume to the posting as much as possible, even using descriptions from the job you're applying for in descriptions of your current or previous positions when relevant and appropriate. Keep scrolling below for some more fun hacks as well. For more, check out this "HR is not your friend" story!

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  • 01
    Computer - My Resume fn → g esc A chri 1 > < Q € A 2 Y W S cmd 9 80, 20 3 X * Ee € D $ 4 C R F .. 2 5 V T G & 6 B
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  • 02
    Rectangle - r/AskReddit. Posted by u/TheRogue Economist 11 hours ago What's the best job search hack that you know?
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  • 03
    Rectangle - vipernick913 11 hr. ago Apply on the company website rather than the job board such as indeed etc ↑ 497 ↓ Reply Share
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  • 04
    Font - EvilLost 11 hr. ago Personally knowing the hiring manager 385 Reply Share TheRogueEconomist OP 11 hr. ago My blood isn't that rich 132 Reply Share
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    Human body - see-climatechangerun 6 hr. ago Nepotism
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    Font - TheRealOcsiban 11 hr. ago Copy the job description into your resume, modify it in your own words, but keep all the major keywords ↑ 302 302 Reply Share
    via u/TheRogueEconomist
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    Font - a-nony-mouse33 10 hr. ago CV is all about you. Cover letter is all about the company (i.e., how you meet their values). Employers love an ego rub and showing you did your research on them. Lastly, search for jobs in the salary bracket above what you are currently earning (roughly $10k higher). You may be surprised at the number of job descriptions in those higher paying roles that actually describe what you already do, so apply for those ones. Bonus; if you're not qualified for those, tak
    via u/TheRogueEconomist
  • 08
    Font - xthrowawayacc516x 11 hr. ago Fake it till you make it. You gotta sell yourself like a if you want a specific job
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    Font - mydoglink 4 hr. ago Pretend you already have a job, don't tell prospective employers that you're unemployed if you are. Appear busy, not desperate.
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    Font - boiling_thera 9 hr. ago When an application asks you where you heard about them and it has a drop down menu, I screen shot the drop down menu so I can look up those companies later. Sometimes they're recruiting agencies, job placement programs, job training programs, all kinds of resources.
    via u/TheRogueEconomist
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    Font - 9 small_cat_meowmeow. 11 hr. ago edited 11 hr. ago I'd rather spend all day on two applications than all day on a 100. Jump thru the hoops, re-type your job history, upload your relevant certificates, write a tailored cover letter. I have found it to be worth the 5-10 minute inconvenience. Don't start raging when you have to re-type your resume, just slow down. Don't spam. Tailor your resume. If you find an indeed posting, go to the company website and apply there. 179 Reply Share
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  • 12
    Font - Missile_Lawnchair. 11 hr. ago Double check the job ad against the official company website if possible. I had a cousin call in a favor for a reference for his friend who was applying for an internship at the company I work for. I checked and the actual internship window had closed a month prior. The friend had been checking on a third party website, but if they had simply researched the official job advertisement url they would have known better.
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  • 13
    Font - midnightlightbright. 11 hr. ago. edited 53 min. ago Apply online, not in person like my Boomer parents forced me to do, -not one callback
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  • 14
    Font - kentro20024 hr. ago Tell people what you do, not what company you work for and your title (this is a part of it), but what do you actually do? You will get more referrals. Explain your skill set to everyone, you will find something.
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    Font - chops88 10 hr. ago This is more of an interview hack. If you're facing the person/people you're interviewing with, turn the chair 20-30 degrees to one side. Your upper body will still be facing them but your legs won't be (I usually cross one leg over the other) and for whatever reason I find it makes the whole experience way more comfortable and less intimidating. I'm a pretty awkward, inarticulate guy and I'm nearly always offered the job if I make it to the interview (though I also pre
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    Font - New_Insect Overlords. 11 hr. ago Chat bots can write cover letters
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    Font - 01 Independence Mean8774 11 hr. ago Literally copy and paste the job requirements virtually word for word from the job ad into your resume and cover letter, except for some minor editing to include yourself. If you don't do that, their AI will trash your application before it ever sees human eyes. Also, make sure to tout your accomplishments in your resume, even if you only successfully managed to flush the toilet at your job's bathroom. Okay, I kid. But seriously, jobs don't want to hire
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    Font - DargeBaVarder. 10 hr. ago It's easy, you just have to be smart, charismatic, know the job requirements well, and get lucky with your interviewer's moods. Oh also if you have connections that's a huge hack. That or be a Nepo baby
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    Font - tzimon 8 hr. ago If it's not a big chain, show up in person. Wear clean clothes and bathe beforehand. Fake it. Every single decent job I've landed was because I've had the to go for it, even though I was underqualified, and then taught myself the skills before anyone could catch me lacking. Dominate the interview process. Ask questions. Ask for 10-20% higher than what you really want and let them negotiate you down. Look them in the eye. Shake their hand firmly. Sit up straight. Don't mak
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    Human body - No_Concept_4959 - 10 hr. ago Networking
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    Font - burritodominator 11 hr. ago temp agencies. some places are desparate and some cool companies don't have active recruiting departments. bypass the temp agency if you like the company or are a good fit. It's how I got my first job at MySpace in the middle of its peak a great paying government think tank job, and my current tech job that I've been working remotely for over 10 years.
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    Font - Inflnite Automata · 10 hr. ago Have your skills be aligned in a realistic way to what you want to achieve. Once you are in a position, learn the industry terms for the skills you are learning and the tech you use. These will help you broaden your scope to other industries using those skills. I've not been working long but it's already saved my bacon once to not go extremely hard and specialize in one specific area, so there's that. Most importantly of all though I think it might be import
    via u/TheRogueEconomist

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