Job Search Obstacles

“I applied to 200 jobs on Naukri, LinkedIn, Indeed… but no one even saw my resume.” This is what one of my students told me, eyes filled with doubt. And I wasn’t surprised. Because after reviewing 60,000+ resumes, I’ve seen the same painful truth: 90% get rejected by ATS before a human ever reads them. Not because the candidate isn’t talented. But because the resume is invisible. Here’s the reality: Recruiters spend 7 seconds skimming your resume. Job portals use ATS filters to auto-reject anything that doesn’t match keywords. And these small mistakes are costing thousands of people their dream jobs. Here are 10 game-changing details most candidates miss (don’t let yours be one of them 👇): 1️⃣ Missing Contact Info Sounds obvious, but 1 in 5 resumes don’t have a phone number or clickable email. ✅ Put your phone and professional email right at the top, ATS-readable. 2️⃣ No Clear Role Title “Intern” isn’t enough. ✅ Use: “Marketing Intern – Social Media Campaigns” instead. It tells the recruiter what you actually did. 3️⃣ Achievements Without Numbers “Handled client accounts” = vague. ✅ Try: “Managed 12 client accounts worth ₹3 Cr, improved retention by 25%.” 4️⃣ Ignoring ATS Keywords Job portals like Naukri & LinkedIn match resumes by keywords. ✅ Mirror exact job description terms in your skills/experience section. 5️⃣ Not Linking LinkedIn/Portfolio In 2025, recruiters expect proof. ✅ Always include your clickable LinkedIn URL + portfolio/GitHub/Behance links. 6️⃣ Using Fancy Templates That Break ATS Many Canva-style resumes look pretty but fail ATS scans. ✅ Stick to clean, text-based formats in Word/PDF. 7️⃣ Burying Skills at the Bottom Recruiters skim. ✅ Put a “Core Skills” section on the first half of page one. 8️⃣ Generic Summaries ❌ “I’m a hardworking professional seeking growth opportunities.” ✅ Instead: “Data Analyst with 3 years’ experience in SQL & Python, improved reporting speed by 40% at TCS.” 9️⃣ Overcrowded With Irrelevant Details Nobody needs your 12th board marks if you’re 5 years into your career. ✅ Cut the noise, keep it sharp, 1–2 pages max. 🔟 Forgetting to Proofread One typo can ruin first impressions. ✅ Run it through Grammarly + ask a peer to review. I’ve helped 50,000+ candidates land offers at companies like Google, Accenture, KPMG, Barclays, and Wipro by fixing exactly these mistakes. And trust me, your dream job isn’t far. It’s just one strong resume away. If you want my step-by-step guide on “How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume” that got my candidates hired at top companies, comment YES and I’ll share it in my next post. #resumetips #atsresume #careercoach #jobsearchindia #interviewpreparation

As a recruiter, I’ve seen resumes that open doors... And others that slam them shut. 🚨 If your CV isn’t landing interviews, you're likely making these mistakes: 1. Objective Statements 🔴 Lose this: “Seeking a challenging position…” (Snooze.) 🟢 Add this: A punchy personal summary. (see pdf for eg.) 2. Irrelevant Experience 🔴 Lose this: That old barista job (unless it’s relevant). 🟢 Add this: Targeted, results-focused bullet points. Example: “Increased Q1 revenue by 25% with X strategy.” 3. Over-the-Top Design 🔴 Lose this: Neon colors and fancy fonts. 🟢 Add this: Simple, ATS-friendly formatting. 4. Cliché Buzzwords 🔴 Lose this: “Hardworking team player…” (Yawn.) 🟢 Add this: Actionable results. Example: “Led a team of 10 to deliver a $3M project early.” 5. Your Entire Life Story 🔴 Lose this: A 5-pager listing everything since high school. 🟢 Add this: 1-2 pages highlighting relevant skills. 6. Outdated Information 🔴 Lose this: High school GPA or your PSLE score. 🟢 Add this: Focus on key career highlights. 7. Unnecessary Personal Details 🔴 Lose this: Instagram handles or pet names. 🟢 Add this: Professional info, LinkedIn, and portfolio links. 💡 Remember: Your resume is your ticket in. Make it sleek, focused, and packed with results. Does yours make the cut? --- ♻️ Repost this to help someone today. 🔗 Follow Shulin Lee for more career advice that works!

I review 10-15 CVs every day for PM roles. Here are 7 common mistakes that instantly weaken your chances and how to fix them: As someone regularly screening PM resumes, I've observed talented candidates repeatedly missing opportunities due to easily avoidable errors. Your CV isn't just a document; it's your first and most important product pitch. Make it compelling. 1️⃣ Not Customizing Your Resume Generic resumes rarely make the shortlist. Carefully align your resume with each job description. Match keywords, emphasize relevant experiences, and directly speak to what the company needs. 2️⃣ Focusing on Tasks, Not Impact PM roles are about outcomes, not activities. Use data and specifics to showcase results. Instead of "managed backlog," say, "Optimized backlog prioritization, increasing sprint velocity by 15%." 3️⃣ Overlooking Your Skills Section Don’t undersell your versatility as a PM. Clearly separate technical (SQL, Jira) and soft skills (stakeholder management, agile leadership). Ensure your skills match the requirements of the role. 4️⃣ Weak or Generic Professional Summaries Recruiters spend only seconds scanning this crucial introduction. Write a clear, precise statement highlighting your experience, strengths, and career goals, e.g., “Product Manager with 8+ years delivering growth-focused SaaS products, specializing in user-driven design and analytics.” 5️⃣ Poor Formatting and Visual Clutter If recruiters struggle to read it, they won't read it. Keep formatting simple—clean fonts (Calibri, Arial), structured sections, and bullet points. Always save your resume as a PDF. 6️⃣ Including Irrelevant or Outdated Information Your resume should reflect your strongest PM qualifications. Highlight only relevant experiences from the last 10-15 years, remove outdated skills, and skip personal details (photos, marital status). 7️⃣ Grammar Errors and Typos Attention to detail matters greatly in product management. Rigorously proofread, use tools like Grammarly, and have your resume reviewed by peers. P.S. - Recruiters quickly skim resumes in 6 seconds. Ensure critical details like your headline, key skills, and quantifiable achievements are clear and easy to spot. ✅ Audit your resume against these mistakes this weekend. ✅ Tailor your resume for a PM role at your dream company. ✅ Seek constructive feedback from a trusted mentor. ✅ Refresh your LinkedIn to align with your updated resume. Your next great PM opportunity awaits make sure your resume does you justice. PMs and hiring managers, did I miss anything? I'd love to hear your perspectives. PS: If you are looking to start preparing for product roles, I run a program that help you break into the perfect product role. Use the link in the comments to apply! 🚨

During my HR internship at Paytm, screening resumes gave me a lot of clarity about what a good resume actually looks like. As part of the recruitment team responsible for hiring Business Analysts and Operations Managers, I went through thousands of CVs and noticed these common mistakes: 1. 𝗨𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁: Most of the time, candidates try to include everything they can think of in their CVs. Never do that! Only include things that add real value. 2. 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲/𝗦𝗶𝘇𝗲: You can use different font styles for headings and body content, but make sure it’s consistent throughout. All headings should look the same, and all body content should follow a uniform style. 3. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗱/𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁: The purpose of bolding content is to catch the reader’s attention. Use bold for numerical values, achievements, or awards — not for everything. 4. 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: The format of your CV can sometimes be a deciding factor. Your CV should look clean and engaging. Use tables or bullet points to improve readability and presentation. At Paytm, I often received hundreds of resumes for just 1–2 vacancies. Imagine the level of competition. So, why would a recruiter choose you over others? There has to be something that sets you apart, right? Keep experimenting, updating, and evolving your CV with time. All the best! 💯 LinkedIn LinkedIn News LinkedIn for Marketing #careers #internship #placement #opportunity

As a recruiter with over a decade of experience and a person who loves data, I've been tracking the most common mistakes that job seekers make. Hiring teams are often looking for someone who not only fulfills their need but also has attention to detail on their mind. Here are 10, okay really 8 of the most common resume mistakes that job seekers tend to make. ☕ Typos and Grammatical Errors: This is your first impression! Spelling mistakes, incorrect grammar, and other typographical errors can give a negative impression about you, your attention to detail, and your ability to communicate. ☕ Generic or Overused Phrases (watch out for AI generated writing!): Terms like "hardworking," "team player," “value-oriented”, and "results-oriented" do not stand out. Instead, focus on demonstrating these traits through achievements. Tell your true story! ☕ Length Matters (sometimes): A resume should be concise.. but detailed enough to tell the world about your skills and experience. ☕ Lack of Customization: Sending out the same resume for every job application won't yield the best (or any) results. Starbucks makes more than one type of coffee for a reason. ☕ Poor Formatting: Inconsistent fonts, cluttered layouts, or walls of text can make resumes difficult to read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent styling to enhance readability. ☕ Not Highlighting Achievements: Simply listing job responsibilities doesn’t show what you have accomplished. Include measurable achievements (e.g., "increased sales by 30%") so you can demonstrate your impact and value add. What did you do besides show up? ☕ Irrelevant Information: Avoid including outdated or not pertinent experiences, personal details (like marital status or age), or hobbies unless they are directly related to the job. ☕ Incorrect or Missing Contact Information: Double-check that your email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile (if included) are accurate and up-to-date. Also… how professional is your email address? Some companies will hold it against you if you have an unprofessional email address. Until next time, Stay Caffeinated!

Here’s something most job seekers don’t realize: Recruiters are usually focused on finding the safest hire for the role. That means someone who’s already done the exact same job… in a similar company… in the same industry. It makes their job easier and minimizes risk for the hiring manager. So if you’re looking to pivot, maybe you’re changing industries, stepping into a new function, or moving to a different region, chances are, your resume won’t be what a recruiter is scanning for. And to be fair, it’s not the recruiter’s role to help you reinvent your career. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. If you’re trying to break into something new, the strategy has to change. You need to go directly to the source: build real connections with decision-makers and hiring managers. That’s how you bypass the algorithm and stand out for roles that might not even be posted yet. I’ve seen this approach work in weeks. Just recently, one of my clients started reaching out to people in her target companies. In less than two weeks, she had multiple referrals and interview invites, without ever submitting a traditional application. This works. Especially when you’re pivoting.

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟓 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬. Every other day i got this message: "𝐃𝐢𝐝𝐢, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞?" As a software engineer at Walmart and someone who shares content on LinkedIn I've seen hundreds of resume. So I’m writing this post once and for all. Read it. Save it. Apply it. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝟏: One Resume for Every Role You're applying to frontend, backend, and analyst roles — but showing the same version of yourself to all. It’s like pitching the same skills to a chef and a cricketer , it won’t land. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭: ➡️Create role-specific resumes (Frontend, Backend, Analyst, etc.) ➡️ Study the JD like an exam. ➡️Highlight relevant projects, tools, and keywords. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝟐 : No Numbers, Just Duties Last month, someone sent me their resume that said: “Worked on UI for a web app.” Sounds decent, right? But here’s the thing , Every other candidate has written the same line. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭: ➡️ Built a dashboard that reduced support tickets by 35%. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝟑 : Wall of text If your resume looks like an essay — no one’s reading it. Recruiters spend 6–8 seconds skimming. If it’s cluttered, they skip. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭: ➡️ Use bullet points. ➡️ Keep it clean. Add breathing space. Use consistent formatting. ➡️Make it easy to skim, hard to ignore. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝟒 : Empty buzzwords “Hardworking, passionate, team player.” Everyone writes that. No one believes it. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭: ➡️ Prove these traits through your projects, internships, and impact. Let your experience show, not just tell. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝟓 : Ignoring the ATS Your resume might be amazing , but if it doesn’t have the right keywords, it gets filtered out before a human ever sees it. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐈𝐭: ➡️ Use job descriptions as your cheat sheet. ➡️ Mirror their language. Add relevant tools, tech, and skills. ➡️ This isn’t cheating — it’s smart positioning. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Most of you have the skills. You just don’t package them right. One small change in how you present yourself can open doors you didn’t think were possible. #ResumeTips #JobSearch #ATS #WalmartTech #EarlyCareer #CollegeToCorporate #LinkedInAdvice #ShortlistingTips

Job boards show openings. Palak Gupta shows opportunities. Here’s a secret most job seekers miss: Not every role is posted on LinkedIn Jobs. Many get closed through simple LinkedIn posts, before they even reach the portal. That’s the real gold mine of jobs. And here’s how you can explore it 👇 1️⃣ Go to LinkedIn and search for: “We are hiring.” 2️⃣ Add your field/industry (example: “marketing” / “finance”). 3️⃣ Switch the search to Posts (not Jobs). 4️⃣ Apply relevant filters — location, recent, etc. 5️⃣ You’ll now see posts from hiring managers directly sharing openings. Once you spot a role, don’t just apply. Send a message along with your application. Example: 👉 "Hi [Name], I came across your post regarding the [Role]. I have [X years] of experience in [Industry] and am highly skilled in [Key Skills]. I’d love to explore how I can contribute and would appreciate your guidance on next steps." This way, you don’t just apply, you put your resume in front of human eyes. Because opportunities aren’t always in the Jobs tab. They’re often hiding in the feed. #JobSearch #Career #LinkedIn #ResumeTips #Networking #HiddenJobMarket

My clients often find themselves on this path: 👀 They set a goal for themselves, e.g. find a better job, start their business. 👀 They translate it into smaller, more manageable tasks, e.g. find suitable job offers, identify their core offering. 👀 They procrastinate. The task doesn't get crossed off the to do list. Instead they catch up on cleaning the house, having coffee with that friend, or doing one more business course on Udemy. 👀 They realize they're procrastinating. So they read books like "Miracle Morning" and seek productivity hacks but somehow none of this is working. Disappointment starts to mix with shame about not getting sh*t done. Basic psychology assumes that our unconscious mind runs the show. While it is challenging to quantify precisely how much of what we do is influenced by our subconscious, it is widely accepted that a substantial portion of our daily activities are affected by it! So you need to become more curious about what's happening deep inside of you as you avoid and procrastinate instead of doing the things that are important to you. Sometimes things can be fixed by an easy hack, e.g. you want to go running more often, so you put your running shoes where you see them every day, but when it comes to goals that are actually deeply meaningful to us it can be much harder. When you're not applying to those jobs it might mean that you're lazy or it's just not that important for you ... or that you're afraid ❌ of being rejected ❌ of having to fake it during interviews Maybe you believe the job market is 💩 and it's hopeless anyway, you're not skilled enough to get anything better, or that the new job might require you to actually work hard when currently things are very easy and chill for you. When you’re not working on your core offering as a fresh entrepreneur it might mean that you simply don’t know what you can offer or you don’t really want to be a business owner after all … or maybe you’re fearful that 😪 people won’t buy from you 😪 you’re not skilled enough to offer XYZ Maybe you stress about the responsibility that comes along with a business, disappointing clients, or what your old co-workers will think when they see you put yourself out there with your new offer 🫣 None of these challenges can be solved by getting up at 5.00 am, biohacking, drinking bulletproof coffee, habit stacking, or manifesting Dr Joe Dispenza style. You overcome these challenges by 1️⃣ Understanding the avoidance’s or procrastination’s functionality. These behaviors are usually here to keep you safe and in your comfort zone. 2️⃣ Accepting that this is perfectly normal and no reason to beat yourself up or shame yourself for your behaviors. 3️⃣ Approaching the challenge with self-compassion, curiosity, and a kind yet persuasive self-talk: How can you honor both your need for safety and your need to reach an important goal (that in itself might provide you with safety, too)? Agree, disagree, thoughts? 🤗

𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐈 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫 I’ve reviewed thousands of resumes in my career, and I still see candidates making the same mistakes, that cost them interviews. Here’s what I notice most often: ❌ Too much fluff, not enough facts: Saying 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 without evidence means nothing. Instead, use numbers! 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒚 20% 𝒊𝒏 3 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒔 grabs attention. ❌ One-size-fits-all resumes: If your resume looks the same for every job, you're blending in, not standing out. Take 10 minutes to tweak it for each role. Trust me, recruiters can tell when it's generic. ❌ Focusing on responsibilities instead of impact: Instead of saying 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, say “𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅 50+ 𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚, 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒚 30%. See the difference? ❌ Forgetting keywords: If your resume doesn’t match the job description, an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) might reject it before a human even sees it. A resume isn’t just a list of jobs, it’s your ticket to the interview room. Let’s make it count! Which of these mistakes do you think most job seekers make? Let’s discuss!