Overcoming LinkedIn Resume Copy-Paste Syndrome

If you're applying to jobs and not hearing back — this might be why. As a career coach, I’ve seen so many talented candidates get ignored. Not because they weren’t qualified. But because they didn’t use the right words. Here’s the truth: Recruiters use Boolean search in LinkedIn and ATS platforms. We literally type in keywords from the job description to find candidates. If your resume or profile doesn’t include those keywords… We may never even see you. Here’s how to fix it: Step 1: Find 3–5 job posts you’d love → Look at how they describe tools, responsibilities, outcomes Step 2: Write down repeating keywords → Examples: “lifecycle marketing,” “Agile methodology,” “SQL,” “talent acquisition” Step 3: Use those keywords naturally in your resume & LinkedIn → Not copy-paste — apply them where they match your real experience Instead of: “Worked on email campaigns” Say: “Managed lifecycle campaigns using Hubspot and A/B testing — improved retention by 18%” Where to use them: → Resume summary → Top job bullets → LinkedIn headline & About section → Skills section This isn’t gaming the system. It’s helping your skills get seen. Have you tried this strategy before? Did it work for you? Let’s share tips in the comments #JobSearch #ResumeTips #LinkedInStrategy #ATSResume #CareerAdvice #BooleanSearch #RecruiterTips #JobHunt #PersonalBranding #VisibilityMatters

If your LinkedIn profile looks like your CV copied and pasted, we need to talk. I checked someone’s profile last week. Everything looked okay, nice photo, clean layout, job titles in place. But something was missing. It didn’t feel like a real person. Before you start sending out job applications, go through this quick checklist. 1. Profile photo Keep it simple and clear. You don’t need studio lights, just a bright background and a friendly face. If your current photo looks like a passport picture, change it. 2. Headline Your headline should tell people what you do, not what you wish for. ✅ “HR Graduate, Recruitment and Employee Engagement” ❌ “Passionate graduate open to opportunities” 3. About section Write the way you’d talk to someone who just met you. Say what you do, what you’re good at, and one or two things you’ve achieved. Drop words like “goal-driven” or “passionate individual.” They don’t tell us anything new. 4. Experience Don’t just list your duties. Show what changed because you were there. ✅ “Helped onboard 50 new employees in 3 months.” ❌ “Responsible for onboarding employees.” 5. Skills Keep only the ones that align with your current career goal. You don’t need to list 40 skills to look competent. Your LinkedIn page should make people want to meet you, not just hire you. It’s not your CV, it’s your digital first impression. If you want my LinkedIn Optimization Checklist, the same one I use to help clients clean up their pages, comment LINKEDIN with your email and I’ll send it to you.

Despite what you’ve been told, the real reason you’re not getting interviews isn’t the ATS or the lack of a referral. It’s the disconnect between how you present your value and what the role actually needs. The job search world is flooded with buzzwords: Bypass the ATS. Hidden job market. Referrals only. Cold outreach. Coffee chats. Add a trendy template, drop your email for a “free guide,” and you’re told it’s only a matter of time. But the reality is: → An ATS-friendly resume isn’t your golden ticket. → A cold DM isn’t a shortcut if you haven’t done the work. → Copy-pasting the same application across roles won’t open doors; it’ll close them faster. If you’re not landing interviews, forget the ATS or the hidden job market. Instead, get clarity on these: 1. Am I applying to the right roles or just any role I think I might fit? 2. Am I using one resume for wildly different job families (e.g., Product + Project Manager)? 3. Does my resume reflect 90% of the required skills/tools with real results or just a bunch of vague metrics? 4. Are my resume and LinkedIn aligned or do they tell different stories? 5. Am I applying to companies that are realistic for my background? 6. Am I relying too heavily on AI instead of telling my story? 7. Am I skipping application questions, or giving answers with real substance? 8. Do I have anyone inside the company vouching for me? 9. Am I applying early in the posting or way too late? 10. Do I actually meet the basic qualifications or am I just “shooting my shot”? If you’re getting interviews but not making it past them: 1. Do I have the depth of skill I claim on my resume or does the polish hide gaps? 2. Do I tailor my answers to their needs, not my ego? 3. Am I giving clear, outcome-driven stories or just listing activity? 4. Do I sound human or like a LinkedIn-generated clone? 5. Am I demonstrating emotional intelligence and big-picture thinking? And if nobody’s replying to your LinkedIn outreach: 1. Am I building rapport or asking strangers for favors right out of the gate? 2. Are my questions clear and actionable or vague and generic? 3. Does my profile reflect someone ready to add value or someone still “figuring things out”? Chasing shortcuts in the current job market will not give the desired results. Reflection and refine the way you show up on paper, in interviews, and in your outreach. That’s where the breakthroughs happen. P.S. Follow me if you're an international job seeker in the U.S and need job search and career growth tips. I have helped 600+ immigrants land their first job in the U.S.