Even the odds

S2E2 The B Word

This episode is about how cognitive distortion or preconceived notion affects our future relationships and can be a "baggage". Also about what truly matters in marriage - a question we all have asked ourselves at some point.

S2E1 How to handle hard times in life

How to handle hard times in life? In life there are many phases where we feel that we are depressed, we are lonely, and when everybody is against us, and there's no one to, you know, guide us or talk about it. So at that moment, when you feel that the whole universe is against you, how do you deal with it?

S1E13 Effective Job Search

Spotify ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6nCUuoiVtMbl584kjfSpYC⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6nCUuoiVtMbl584kjfSpYC] Apple Podcast ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-the-odds/id1631061813⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-the-odds/id1631061813] YouTube Music << Stay Tuned >> X / Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@EvenTheOdds4⁠ [https://x.com/eventheodds4] The job market is constantly shifting. As ofMay 2025, the U.S. unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%. Industries like healthcare, leisure and hospitality, and social assistance continue to see employment growth. However, this dynamic landscape also presents challenges. A significant concern for job seekers is the alarming rise in job scams. The Federal Trade Commission reports that job scam losses reached $501 million between 2020 and 2024, triplingin frequency. Always verify company legitimacy before sharing personal information or making payments. Remember: a legitimate job offer will never ask you for money. Tune in to learn more about how to navigate around challenges and effectively hunt for jobs.

S1E12 Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Spotify ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6nCUuoiVtMbl584kjfSpYC⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6nCUuoiVtMbl584kjfSpYC] Apple Podcast ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-the-odds/id1631061813⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-the-odds/id1631061813] YouTube Music << Stay Tuned >> X / Twitter: ⁠⁠@EvenTheOdds4⁠ [https://x.com/eventheodds4] Did you know 70% of large companies use Applicant Tracking Systems? And 75% of recruiters rely on this tech to screen candidates! Tune in to discover how to beat the bots and get your resume seen. Prompts to use in your favorite LLM for job search Review and Enhance Your Resume/CV: * Update the experience section of my resume to make it sound more action oriented. [Copy/paste your resume/CV.] * Tailor my resume/CV to this job description for a [job title]. [Press “Shift”+“Enter,” then copy/paste your resume/CV and the job description.] Craft Compelling Cover Letters: * Write a cover letter for [job title]. Highlight my experience in data analysis and how it can benefit the company’s mission. Keep the tone professional and the letter to less than 200 words. [Copy/paste the company’s mission, job description, and your resume/CV under the prompt.] * Below is my current cover letter. How would you rewrite it to make me seem like an ideal choice for a [job title] at [type of company]. [Copy/paste your cover letter.] Prepare for Interviews: * Provide a list of common interview questions I can expect for [insert role/job description]? * How do I best answer [common interview question] if I’m interviewing for [role/job title] at [company/type of company]? Guide Your Networking Strategy: * What are some unique ways to follow up with a new contact after a networking event? * Write a personalized networking message for the [title] of a [industry/company]. Optimize Your LinkedIn® Profile: * Write a professional summary using my work experience, the keyword “X”, and keep it shorter than 150 words. [Copy/paste your resume/CV.] * Write a LinkedIn headline using a conversational tone using my resume/CV and the keywords “X” and “Y.” Keep it shorter than 200 characters. [Copy/paste your resume/CV.] Research Professionals and Companies: * Can you provide insights into the company culture at [company name] ? * Who are the top thought leaders or experts in [specific industry] ? Identify Skills Gaps and Explore Opportunities for Professional Growth:  * What skills do I need to improve my chances at getting this [role/job description]? [Copy/paste the job description and your resume/CV.] * What are available online resources to enhance my [type of skills(s)]? How a Simple ATS Works Top-tier resumes may never reach a human recruiter when the ATS is programmed to filter based on predefined keywords and formats. This initial screening process is impersonal, missing subtle yet important cues in applications. My understanding of how a basic ATS process : 1. Defining the Ideal Candidate: input job descriptions, from which the ATS extracts keywords / phrases 2. Parsing 3. Scoring and Shortlisting: Rank resume based on match, automated rejections, shortlist 4. Human Review Employers are/should-be using more sophisticated ATS programming that considers a wider range of relevant skills beyond just keywords. ATS are here to stay, especially with LLMs being around. Balancing efficiency w/ accurate evaluation is crucial for success. Reasons for automated rejection email (my take): 1. Your resume is not well-formatted 2. You are over-qualified or under-qualified for the job 3. You have not optimized your resume for THAT job (keywords, skills, etc.) - S1E8 4. Your resume is too long/convoluted 5. Incompatible file format. I suggest txt, rtf, docx, odt etc. 6. Unexplained gaps in employment (address in cover letter, etc.) 7. Spamming. Some ATS are programmed reject candidates who apply 8. Policies - e.g. if you applied and were rejected recently Resume ATS Checker 1. https://resmume.com/resume-ats-checker/ [https://resmume.com/resume-ats-checker/] 2. https://www.livecareer.com/resume/check [https://www.livecareer.com/resume/check] News Articles: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hr-team-dismissed-after-managers-resume-instantly-rejected-rawat-nhihc] * msn.com [www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/hr-team-terminated-after-manager-s-cv-gets-auto-rejected-netizens-say-ai-should-never-replace-human-judgment/ar-AA1rpKKE]

S1E9 Networking 101 Building Connections in a Digital World

Spotify ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6nCUuoiVtMbl584kjfSpYC⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6nCUuoiVtMbl584kjfSpYC] Apple Podcast ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-the-odds/id1631061813⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/even-the-odds/id1631061813] YouTube Music << Stay Tuned >> X / Twitter: ⁠@EvenTheOdds4⁠ [https://x.com/eventheodds4] The SMART Approach: For Your General Network The SMART approach is designed for broader networking conversations, helping you gather marketplace information and share your professional message. * Summarize Your Message: Start with a concise professional objective or positioning statement. For example: "I'm a marketing professional passionate about digital storytelling, currently exploring opportunities in tech startups." * Marketing Plan: Briefly describe your strategic plan. You don't need a physical document; simply state your focus. "I'm focusing on companies innovating in sustainable technology." * Ask Questions: This is crucial. Inquire about organizations on your target list, their challenges, strengths, or key people. "What are your insights on Company X's growth trajectory?" or "Who else in your network might have insights into the fintech space?" This is also where you gather career intelligence: ◦Talk to personal contacts about professions where they see you thriving. ◦Ask industry contacts about market trends, skill assessments, and long-term viability of your profession. ◦Query contacts in other industries about how your work is performed there, and technology's impact on your field. ◦Explore new professions by asking about barriers to entry and daily work experiences. ◦Contact professional associations for industry reports or salary surveys. * Referrals: Always ask for introductions to others who might have more information or to target company insiders. "Could you introduce me to anyone at Company Y, especially in their product development team?" * Trade Information: Conversations are two-way. Offer useful information in return. "I recently read an interesting article on AI's impact on your industry; I can send it over if you're interested." This also extends to gathering salary information by describing job requirements and asking for market insights or reliable online calculators. The SELL Approach: For Target Company Insiders The SELL approach is more focused, almost like a pre-interview, used when speaking with people inside your target organizations, especially hiring managers. Here, you're positioning yourself for future opportunities. * Summarize Your Message: Again, begin with your professional objective. "I'm a senior software engineer with a strong background in scalable cloud solutions, eager to apply my skills to innovative platforms." * Explore Their Needs: This is paramount. Gather information about the organization's needs and the specific hiring manager's challenges. "What are the biggest technical challenges your team is currently facing?" * Link Your Benefits to Their Needs: Connect your competencies directly to their expressed needs. "Given your focus on scaling infrastructure, my experience with [specific technology] at [previous company] could be highly relevant." * Leverage a Next Meeting: Use the information gained to arrange another interaction. "Based on our conversation about [specific project], I'd love to share some ideas I have on [related topic] in a follow-up call."