Ask the Recruiter: ATS Secrets, Resume Hacks & Interview Truths with Cailean Bailey

What actually happens after you hit "Apply"?

In this episode of GigHQ's "Ask the Recruiter," Hasnain Baxamoosa sits down with Cailean Bailey, a veteran Talent Acquisition leader (Radix, Design Pickle), to demystify the hiring process—from the initial 30-second resume scan to the final offer.

We cover the questions every candidate has but is afraid to ask: Are robots auto-rejecting my application? How do I explain a layoff? Does messaging a recruiter on LinkedIn actually work? Cailean gives honest, no-nonsense answers on what recruiters are really looking for and the simple mistakes that disqualify even the best candidates.

📍 Connect with the Guest:
Cailean Bailey on LinkedIn:   / caileanbailey  

👋 Connect with the Host:
Hasnain Baxamoosa on LinkedIn:   / hbaxamoosa  

📝 Topics Covered:
// The Application: Why being the "first" applicant matters less than you think.
// The Resume: Why you should delete your "skill ratings" and how to write impact statements that stop the scroll.
// Networking: The "VITO" strategy for bypassing the queue and how to get referrals that count.
// The Interview: How to avoid the "We vs. I" trap and own your narrative.
// Career Strategy: Navigating layoffs, applying to multiple roles, and why "Ex-Company" badges matter less than demonstrated impact.

The Application & ATS
00:01:59 – Intro: Cailean’s background (Agency to Radix/Design Pickle)
00:04:12 – Does applying in the first 24 hours actually matter?
00:07:00 – How the ATS really ranks candidates (it's not just time)
00:10:49 – LinkedIn Easy Apply vs. Company Career Pages
00:17:21 – AI in Recruiting: Are robots auto-rejecting your resume?

The Resume
00:23:23 – The "30-Second Scan": What recruiters look for first
00:26:36 – Formatting: Why Canva resumes can hurt you (Stick to standard)
00:29:43 – The most important resume fix: "Strong 'I' Statements"
00:33:44 – Do you need a custom resume for every single job?
00:35:39 – Immediate Red Flags: Typos, wrong files, and oversharing
00:37:59 – Why "Skill Ratings" (4/5 Stars) are ignored by recruiters
00:39:17 – Keyword Stuffing: Does it work?
00:43:00 – Are Cover Letters still necessary?

Networking & Outreach
00:45:13 – Outreach Strategy: How to DM recruiters without being "desperate"
00:48:53 – The "Long Play": Engaging with content before you need the job
00:52:33 – How to find the specific Hiring Manager on LinkedIn
00:55:40 – The "VITO" Strategy: Reaching out to the boss’s boss

Referrals & Interviewing
00:57:47 – Referrals vs. Direct Applications: Which is faster?
01:00:22 – Interview Failure: The trap of saying "We" instead of "I"
01:02:48 – Post-Interview Etiquette: The truth about Thank You notes

Career Strategy & Recruiter Secrets
01:06:01 – Why you rarely get feedback (and Cailean’s 15-minute rule)
01:11:04 – How Recruiters are Measured: Speed vs. Quality of Hire
01:13:04 – Is it bad to apply to multiple roles at the same company?
01:15:38 – Pedigree vs. Impact: Do Ivy League degrees & "Ex-FAANG" titles matter?
01:21:04 – How to explain Layoffs, RIFs, and Employment Gaps
01:22:54 – The Top 5% of Candidates: Functional, Behavioral & Cultural Fit

#Recruiting #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #ATS #Resumes #InterviewTips #GigHQ