In this news:
Stanford educated Soubhik Dawn, a two-time founder and seasoned product management professional, understands the abyss that confronts many job seekers.
So he founded a company called Upplai (pronounced “up-ply”). It provides a wide range of services to help people market themselves with the tools and savvy of a seasoned brand manager. With creative use of AI, the company offers features like automated résumé feedback, résumé tailoring, cover letter generation, the ability to pass automated filters, and other tools that boost a candidate’s chances of landing interviews.
Dawn says job seekers can learn a lot from the TV ads shown during the recent Super Bowl.
So, what does an effective résumé have in common with a good TV ad?
“Brands shelled out a record-breaking $8 million for a single 30-second Super Bowl ad —all for a fleeting moment in front of an audience glued to their screens,” Dawn says. “Why? Because in those 30 seconds, companies must grab attention, tell a compelling story, and leave a lasting impact—or risk being forgotten. Job seekers face the same challenge. Studies show that recruiters spend just 3-7 seconds scanning a résumé before deciding if it’s worth a deeper look. Just like a Super Bowl ad, a résumé needs to captivate immediately, communicate value, and differentiate the candidate from the competition.”
Apparently, the idea is to ditch the hype and deliver value.
“Take the T-Mobile/Starlink ad for example,” Dawn says. “It was the most engaging commercial of the night, generating 12.6 times more engagement than the average ad. It didn’t feature celebrities or over-the-top humor. Instead, it focused on solving a real problem faced by every audience (cell phone dead zones) with a simple, tangible solution. This clarity and directness made it stand out.”
Takeaway? “Do not fill up your résumé with buzzwords like ‘synergy,’ ’innovative,’ and ‘disruptive,’” he says. “Instead, focus on your value proposition. How do your skills and experience solve the employer’s problems? Make it clear, concise, and easy to understand. Avoid generic statements and focus on the unique benefits you bring.”
