Hiring Manager Secrets on How to Crush Your Job Search

Looking for a job is brutal enough without wasting time on things hiring managers don’t actually care about. Enter Colleen Pelly, founder of The Linchpin Company and hiring expert with insider knowledge on what really gets you noticed.When she sat down with Siffat Haider, founder of wellness brand Arrae, on The Dream Bigger Podcast, they confirmed this writer’s worst fear: Most people don’t read cover letters. But don’t panic—they also covered how you can make yourself stand out in this especially ruthless job market.

Why Pelly and Siff Don’t Like Cover Letters

“This is probably a controversial, unpopular opinion, but I think they’re a waste of time,” says Pelly. Some applicant tracking systems (the software systems that organize job applications for a company) have a cover letter included as a default setting. “I think people just don’t remove the cover letter setting because they’re lazy,” Pelly continued. 

Siff agrees: “We don’t ask for them at Arrae, but if someone sends a cover letter, I’m like, ‘I’m never reading that.’”

On the other hand, she acknowledges that some recruiters see cover letters as a place to showcase an applicant’s ability. “‘Can they articulate their interest in something? Can I see they’re passionate?’ And I feel like, you know what, you’re going to see that when you talk to them.”

If You’re Forced to Write One Anyway

If there is a cover letter requirement, though, Pelly says you should look at it as an opportunity.

“If you’re an active job seeker, you might be applying to like 50 things,” she acknowledges. “The employer wants to know that you want to work for them. Is there something that specifically resonates with your culture, the way you treat your employees, or a project or a product you’re a part of? Is there something you can write that sort of stands out? ‘Here’s why I’m really aligned with what you’re up to.’” 

In other words, make it obvious you’re not just copy-pasting the same letter to every listing on LinkedIn. And keep it brief: “It doesn’t have to be this crazy long thing,” says Pelly insists. “You can just do like three paragraphs.”

Don’t Stress About Resume Aesthetics

“No one cares what [your resume] looks like,” Pelly says. It may feel like you need to make it eye-catchingly beautiful, but Siff agrees that she’s “never cared.”

As Pelly explains: “Good on you for the effort, but at the same time I just want to read what’s within.” Time to close down Canva!

Keywords: What They’re Actually Looking For

“I will look at it in six seconds and decide if I’m going to move forward with you or not,” Pelly says. “Which I know sounds so harsh, but it’s really like I’m looking to be able to match what you’ve done to the job description I am hiring for.”  

This means your resume should essentially mirror the job listing:  “Look exactly at what you’re applying for and don’t write the exact same thing, but find a way to use keywords or the same type of language to what the job description says.”

The Interview Mistake Everyone Makes

“This feels obvious, but I think a lot of people when they’re talking about why they want something new, their immediate go-to is like to bash where they’re currently working,” Pelly says, calling the behavior “unattractive” even if there’s truth to it.  “People will automatically go to ‘I hate my manager. My manager will never promote me.’”

Pelly recommends articulating your frustrations differently. In the example of a boss who will never promote you, try her soft reframe: “I feel like I’ve hit my ceiling in terms of growth, and I’ve heard your company values internal succession planning. That aligns with me.”

Siff agrees. “If you’re on a date and like the person is like bashing their ex, I’m like, this is just like such a red flag. I’m like, I don’t want to hear this!”

“I do like when people are honest, but I think there’s a way to still sound professional,” Pelly adds. “Because everyone’s a brand ambassador to a certain extent, regardless of how long they work for you.They’re going to leave their interview process or their job and talk about, ‘Here’s what it’s like to work here.’ So you want to have a positive sort of interaction.”

Get To Know Recruiters

Even if you’re new to the job market, you can still work with a recruiter.

“It’s this common misconception that you have to be this, like, well established professional before you get help from a recruiter,” Pelly explains. In reality, recruiters get paid by the companies doing the hiring, not you.

“There’s no cost up front from a candidate perspective. So if you’re a new grad looking for help with a resume or like interview tips, you can reach out then as well. And then we work all the way through with C-suite executives as well. So I think the misconception is you have to wait and you don’t.”

For more career insights from founders and CEOs, listen to The Dream Bigger Podcast.