LinkedIn expert Catherine Fisher has outlined a six-step strategy to help candidates navigate a job market flooded with artificial intelligence resumes, Business Insider reported.
Fisher said the mass submission of AI-generated applications has created a phenomenon known as doomjobbing, where applicants engage in exhausting job searches that leave both job seekers and recruiters demotivated.
LinkedIn, a professional networking platform, has seen an increase in candidates using software to automate resume creation. Fisher explained that while artificial intelligence tools can assist applicants, relying on generic text makes candidates appear identical to recruiters who spend hours sorting through submissions.
Establishing clear search parameters
Fisher recommended that candidates begin by defining precise search parameters through market research to identify sectors with promising vacancies. After selecting a target industry, profession, and role, job seekers should audit their profile to ensure it displays the specific skills required by employers.
Because companies increasingly value workers who understand technology, Fisher advised applicants to learn relevant artificial intelligence tools through online courses if necessary. Demonstrating technological literacy can help job seekers stand out when employers evaluate profiles.
Building professional networks and showing results
Fisher stressed that networking should begin before an active job hunt starts. Candidates ought to identify industry professionals and gradually establish contact with them without requiring regular in-person meetings.
Engaging with professional online content, requesting introductions, and discovering mutual connections are effective ways to cultivate relationships, according to Fisher.
When presenting qualifications, Fisher advised candidates to replace vague general statements about managing teams or having strong communication skills with measurable business results. Applicants who cannot share confidential figures should still detail the work performed and explain its specific impact on the organisation.
Prioritising human skills and taking recovery breaks
Although artificial intelligence remains an important competency, Fisher noted that interpersonal communication and leadership qualities are equally critical. She recommended following respected industry professionals, studying their published materials, and observing how they operate.
Fisher added that candidates can draw lessons from interactions with both effective and poor managers to determine their own professional values and working style.
To avoid psychological burnout, Fisher warned against spending nine hours a day submitting applications. She stated that there is no fixed number of hours required for job hunting, advising candidates to set their own rhythm and schedule regular recovery time.
According to Fisher, set breaks could include dedicating one day each week to personal learning or maintaining small daily touchpoints with professional contacts.
Redefining career success and interview strategies
Fisher urged job seekers not to limit their definition of success to securing an ideal position immediately. Initial opportunities may take the form of part-time employment or short contract roles lasting only a few months.
Candidates should evaluate jobs based on skill acquisition and networking potential rather than job titles alone, Fisher said. She noted that even an unappealing offer warrants consideration, as introductory phone calls offer valuable practice for professional presentations.
Additional advice reported by Ukrainian news agency UNIAN highlights the importance of candidate questions during job interviews. Former Google, Uber, and The New York Times recruiter Farah Sharghi said the most critical moment comes at the end of an interview when the applicant asks questions.
Sharghi noted that successful applicants ask about the specific problems the company hopes to solve by hiring them, rather than asking standard questions about workplace culture or career growth.
Human resources expert Melanie Xiong Helm identified four frequent interview mistakes that cost candidates employment opportunities. According to Helm, arriving late, making negative remarks about former colleagues, sharing excessive personal information, and failing to send a thank-you letter after the interview regularly lead to rejection.
