Thursday, September 3, 2026

As related to my last post of Deepfakes - The Playing Field MUST CHANGE or this Unethical Behavior Will Continue

As related to my last post of Deepfakes - The Playing Field MUST CHANGE or this Unethical Behavior Will Continue.  Here is the solution:


  A New Way for Creating Better Job Search Experiences for Employers and Job Seekers

(A bit provocative but nonetheless important to think about).

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) has changed the game drastically for job search and online applications.  The majority of the resumes fall into a black hole. The “black hole” is real, and it hurts everyone:

1.       The overwhelming number of candidates have no understanding of why this happens.  ATS creates mistrust, deception and stress, not to mention bewilderment

2.       Employers do not have the best candidates in the talent pool because most resumes are not ATS compliant. The interview process ends up being inefficient, ineffective, often resulting in “bad hires,” which are costly to the employer.

3.       With 100+ ATS systems used in the United States, there are no standards; each system has its own criteria. The status quo simply does not work.

Given the statements above, when a high school student applies for college, he/she pays a non-refundable application fee to the school.  The fee is not put towards tuition, housing, books, etc. However, in return, the student gets a response (verbally or written).  (Please continue – the rationale will fall into place).

In the world of ATS, the candidate gets an auto-response “or ghosted” if the resume ATS score is does not meet the algorithm’s requirements for qualification.

Here is my idea:

Let’s create a system where the candidate and employer both have “skin in the game”:

1.       The candidate is required to pay $10 via a digital payment platform of the company’s choice to submit a resume and cover letter under the auspice that the employer will provide a verbal response back indicating reasons for rejection or better yet, offering timeslots for a phone interview?


2.       The company begins the hiring process and chooses who they deem as the best candidate.

3.       The company does not keep the money.  The money is donated to the candidate’s (or company’s) charity of choice.

4.       The company also releases an internal memo / social media announcement stating that they have hired <name> and that <$xxx> were donated to <name of charity>.

Example:
Casa Way Associates, the parent company of Resumes by Allan Brown, is proud to announce that Saundra B. Zoe has accepted an offer to become the firm’s new project manager.  Saundra, a graduate of the Northern Lights University with an MS in Lighting Technology brings a wealth of experience managing technology based programs and is excited for her start date of May 15).  Saundra is a dog lover and the $560 that the firm collected as part of the process will be donated to the City of Malvern’s ASPCA.

Get the picture…?

As a candidate, you need to make an investment in your job search as opposed to "spray and pray".  For the company, better candidates, faster turnaround, improved organizational performance and improved employee relations and engagement, esp. since the application fee goes to a charity.

If the employer charged for applications submissions (colleges do and have for decades), the employer would get less applications, but the candidates who applied would be more qualified.

To the candidate: Would you budget $200 for 20 submissions if you were guaranteed a response, as opposed to the status quo?

To the company: Is there an organization out there willing to try a new idea as opposed to relying on ATS algorithms in order to get motivated, better candidates?

Think about it…

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Interview Issue - Deepfakes - ID Fraud

Interview Issue - Deepfakes - ID Fraud

My goodness - there are alot of "bad actors" that have been created by artificial intelligence (AI).

A deepfake is an image, video, or audio recording created or altered by artificial intelligence to make it look or sound like a real person is doing or saying something they never actually did. This is an issue that you need to be aware of, whether it be during the interview process or during your business day.

This is more geared to help hiring managers ID fraud / bad actors but, at the end of the day, it is scary. Here are examples of "deepfakes" as defined via LinkedIn

Synthetic Video Calls: Fraudsters use real-time face-swapping or digital avatars to pass live video interviews.

Voice Cloning: AI tools mimic the spoken voice of a qualified professional or a stolen identity.

Stolen Credentials: Bad actors combine real credentials with fake video feeds, often targeting remote work positions.

Employers are starting to figure it out. Hiring mangers are requiring live screen-sharing during technical tests and are introducing new secure video platforms with advanced identity verification. In addition, they are training hiring and HR teams to spot delayed lip-syncing or unnatural facial expressions.

Deepfaking is a great example of the disconnect between applicants / employees / management that dates back to the pandemic. Both sides are at fault. If companies want better candidates, they need to make radical changes. I will post my thoughts on the change and benefit later today (I have discussed this before - will continue to push for change).

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 


Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment - - Retaliation for Raising Concerns

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment - - Retaliation for Raising Concerns

If raising a concern about unlawful behavior in your toxic workplace leads to demotions, schedule changes, or being pushed out, that may be considered retaliation, which is illegal under California’s Labor Code and the Fair Employment and Housing Act. California employees are protected from adverse action when they report harassment, discrimination, wage violations, or unsafe conditions.

Source: Matern Law Group

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  • Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Job Market Issue - Slow Hiring Cycles

Job Market Issue - Slow Hiring Cycles

I think that we are well aware that the job market is stagnant. One reason is that the hiring cycles are much slower than expected.

Slow Hiring: Employers are scaling back massive hiring efforts, resulting in a "jobless boom" where companies invest in productivity tools and AI rather than expanding payrolls. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Monday, August 31, 2026

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment - - Gaslighting

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment - - Gaslighting

Being told an incident didn’t happen, or being made to feel irrational for noticing problems. Gaslighting erodes self-trust and makes it harder to take action on what is – objectively – a serious workplace problem. 

While not always actionable on its own, if gaslighting is part of a pattern of misconduct toward an employee based on any protected characteristics, it may be actionable.

Source: Matern Law Group

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  • Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

New College Grads - Professional Associations

 New College Grads - Professional Associations

As you begin your job search, have you conducted your research to find the right professional association?  These organizations are great for networking, building your knowledge base and most have an online job board of jobs specific to your career direction.  These organizations also have regular meetings (in-person and virtual) and will offer opportunities (classes, seminars) for professional / career development.

  • ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment - Unrealistic Hours of Work Expectations

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment -  Unrealistic Hours of Work Expectations


  • A business that expects employees to remain reachable and responsive at all hours, with the implicit message that jobs are at risk for those who do not comply.
  • ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Sign of a Toxic Work Environment - Lack of Appreciation and Blame Culture

  • Sign of a Toxic Work Environment -  Lack of Appreciation and Blame Culture

  • Unnoticed success: Good work goes unpraised, but minor mistakes bring heavy criticism.
  • Blame-shifting: People point fingers instead of solving problems together

  • Source: Resume Genius
  • ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Friday, August 28, 2026

The Toxicity of Today's Business Office

The Toxicity of Today's Business Office

Has your office an incredibly unbearable place to work?  If so, do not feel alone.  Some will say it, most will not in fear of reprisals.  As most of you know, I run my own business (resume writing and LinkedIn profile writing) so I am not afraid to speak the truth, providing perspective to those who need to hear the thoughts of a neutral third party. I will be providing objective thoughts that I hope will help you get through the craziness.

I will be posting about this subject for the remainder of the week and all of next week.  Stay tuned - I will have some good content for you to mull.  

Frankly, this has been happening for some time by the "Titans of Technology" (Zuckerberg and Benioff as well as others) set the tone when in the Spring of 2020, they told employees what a wonderful job they were doing in the face of change from in-house to work from home (WFH).  They said that everybody was doing such a great job that they could work remotely forever.  That was crap and they knew it.  Productivity was never great and too much $$$ invested in real estate holdings made this HIGHLY improbably.

What they should have said is the following:

"All of you have been incredibly collaborative and diligent during this unprecedented era in world history.  I applaud your efforts and we will revisit the working environment in 90 days".

That would have been a key step to managing expectations.  It would have stopped most workers from relocating to new regions (often less expensive) since they would not have to be in the office any longer.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Evaluating the Job Market - Factors affecting the Market has Effectively Stalled - Part 4

Evaluating the Job Market - Factors affecting the Market has Effectively Stalled - Part 4

Job Market Realities (Especially in the Technology Sector)

Fewer Job Openings: Total job postings for jobs in the tech sector remain down roughly 33% to 36% compared to peak pre-pandemic baselines.  That number is actually much higher given ghost posts, a practice that is notorious in the Silicon Valley.  This issue, combined with the "low hire; low hire environment) that is still highly evident (across all sectors, job titles and career experience levels, has created an epidemic known as "job hugging" - nobody is moving and most employees are getting low wage increases - creating employee disengagement.

Lastly the competition for jobs is high - When a role opens, hundreds of applicants—including seasoned professionals who were recently laid off—compete for the same position.  With the increase of AI driven resumes, which are unfavorably viewed by hiring managers (can be spotted via eyeballs as well as software products designed to ID AI, the job market is a complete mess.

Solution - When the Iranian War is over and their is a calming in inflation, coupled with companies willing to spend more because they can predict their cost of goods sold (COGs), then we will see a real uptick in job opportunities.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily) 


Quote: Preparation

Preparation:

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” – Arthur Ashe

For those of you are do not know of Arthur Ashe, "google him". A international tennis star who broke barriers like a few before him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Does this post add value to your business day? I post about job search best practices and issues related to the job market 2x per day M-F. Click "Follow" on my profile - Allan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrownresumewriter/ (posting job search advice 1 – 2x daily)