applying for jobs - Talent Market

Talent Tip #174: Hiring Horror Stories

October 21, 2025

The Shape-Shifting Applicant

Once upon a dark, stormy job search, a candidate submitted six applications to different roles within 24 hours. His resume was consistent, showing a solid career in marketing, but his cover letters were like something out of a twisted AI experiment. One cover letter painted him as an expert in Congressional rules and procedures, while another claimed significant experience with foundation relations. Then there was the expert in employment law letter, the seasoned major gifts…

Talent Tip #165: A Bartender’s Guide to Professional Branding

September 24, 2024

Stephanie Keaveney

One of the most delightful parts of working at Talent Market is discovering that nearly every career topic can be explored with either a dating or cocktail-related analogy. And living with a former bartender means much of my time outside of work is spent as a taste tester for new concoctions. So it’s no big surprise that a recent discussion on building your professional brand got me thinking about the overlap with crafting a great cocktail.

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Talent Tip #163: Dating and Side Hustles: It’s Complicated Part I

July 23, 2024

Not sure if you’ve noticed, but side hustles are having a moment.

An increasing number of jobseekers these days have or are considering side hustles in addition to full-time jobs. The proliferation of virtual work has provided fertile ground for budding entrepreneurs to take on more than one opportunity.

And we’re noticing that both job seekers and hiring managers aren’t entirely sure how to navigate these uncharted waters.

If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I think there…

Talent Tip #161: Advice for Creating a Buzz-worthy Resume (Part 2)

April 23, 2024

Welcome back to the grand finale of our two-part series on crafting a buzz-worthy resume.

By now, you likely know that Oppenheimer was the big winner at this year’s Oscars, taking home 7 statues, including the coveted award for Best Picture.

So what does it take to create not just an Oscar-worthy, but a Best Picture-worthy resume? As the orchestra cues up for the thrilling conclusion, let’s dive into our remaining tips.

Editing Precision: In the world of cinema, editors arrange…

Talent Tip #160: Advice for Creating a Buzz-worthy Resume (Part I)

February 20, 2024

If you pay attention to entertainment news, you’re well aware that Hollywood is gearing up for another thrilling television and film awards season. But if you’re anything like us, you’ve only seen a fraction of nominated films up for the big, buzz-worthy, awards and also much prefer the good-natured fun of the Golden Raspberry (aka Razzie) awards, which are given out to the worst movies/actors of the year.

So while we’re not qualified to comment on who should…

Talent Tip #159: Airing of Application Grievances: Holiday Lessons For Job Seekers

December 13, 2023

The Talent Market Team

Pour the eggnog and erect the Festivus pole – it’s time for our annual Airing of the Application Grievances!

Now, before we jump in, keep in mind that the ladies of Talent Market see a sleigh full of job applications each year (4,000+ this year!). That means we see thousands of reasons for people to land on Santa’s Nice List…and just as many (if not more) for them to end up on…

Talent Tip #133: 10 Reasons Your Cover Letter is Terrible (Part 1)

March 16, 2021

(This month’s newsletter article is the first of a two-part series written by Katelynn Barbosa, who just went on maternity leave.)

I’m feeling extra grumpy and salty because I am 37 weeks pregnant, sick of waddling everywhere, and dying for a stiff cocktail. The good news for you is that my current state has put me in the mood to drop some VERY honest advice about a vital component of every job application – the cover letter.

Talent Tip #129: On Mai Tais, King Beds, and Resumes

October 20, 2020

By Katelynn Barbosa

Imagine you are planning a vacation to Maui (unthinkable in these times, I know) and browsing hotels online to decide where to stay. As you browse you have three predetermined requirements: You absolutely must have a king bed. (Your husband is a broad shouldered guy who splays out during his sleep like someone at the end of an unsuccessful parachute jump.) You also need to be located close to where many of your activities are…

Talent Tip #124: Advice for Dominating Virtual Interviewing (Especially in the Age of COVID-19)

May 25, 2020

There is no doubt that this is a crazy time to be alive. After all, we are living through a once in a century global pandemic! There is the stress and anxiety of everyday pandemic existence, maintaining six feet of distance from everyone on the planet, and being trapped in your house for an indefinite period of time. And if you’re job searching, there is a whole new layer of stress.

The good news for you, dear Talent…

Talent Tip #123: What Does COVID-19 Mean for Hiring in the Free-Market Nonprofit Sector?

April 21, 2020

As you can imagine, we have gotten a lot of questions over the last few days about how the pandemic has affected hiring in the free-market nonprofit sector.

I thought it might be helpful to share the common questions we are hearing and respond to them here. Please note that things are changing quickly, and that means what we are seeing is also changing. I will try to update you as things evolve.

Are…

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