When it comes to presenting ourselves in the best light to potential employers, people often resort to small tricks, such as embellishing their skills on their resumes or exaggerating their work experience. Similarly, climbing the career ladder at work may require using cunning tactics suggested by HR specialists. Nevertheless, there are some work trends that are better left out of our professional lives.
One common mistake in resumes is using the so-called "white font" trick. This involves manipulating applicant tracking systems (ATS) by copying a list of relevant keywords, pasting it into the resume, and changing the font color to white. This way, the text remains invisible to human eyes, but digital filters can detect the presence of the necessary keywords, which employers use to select candidates for positions. While most AI systems embedded in ATS have not yet learned to detect the "white font," recruiters are well aware of this trick. It's best not to lower your chances of employment in the eyes of a hiring manager by resorting to this life hack, right?
Another trend to avoid is the "loud resignation," which has gained popularity in recent years. Nowadays, it is not uncommon for employees to announce their own resignation on camera, intending to embarrass their bosses. Some individuals even record their resignations and share them on platforms like TikTok. However, when future employers come across these videos, they may interpret the "loud resignation" as a red flag and a sign of potential conflict that could extend to their company.
Finally, there's the concept of the "minimum Monday," which refers to performing the bare minimum of work on the first day of the workweek. After a couple of career experts claimed that the "minimum Monday" effectively prevents emotional burnout at work, many employees started embracing it. However, only a few acknowledge that this trend can create more problems at work than it solves. Striving to complete the minimum amount of work tasks can lead your boss to see you as a lazy employee and harm your reputation. While self-care is important, it is equally crucial to remember that companies primarily expect productivity and concrete results, rather than just a good mood.
