✍️ AI prompt to beat the ATS black hole

Plus: Spotlight on the platform enabling creators to make money from their passions

Author

Chris Ming
December 09, 2025

Hello there 😎 

A reader wrote me last week:

❝

"My software engineering background is fairly generalist. I'm not a deep specialist in one area, but I can quickly learn and adapt to any programming language or proprietary system."

Sound familiar?

In a tough market, "I can learn anything" doesn't land.

Hiring managers see 200+ applications per role. They're looking for specific expertise, not potential.

💡 I recommend you niche down—twice.

For example, for our reader:

FIRST: Pick a specific target role first: Backend Engineer, ETL/Data Engineer, or Automation Engineer.

SECOND: Niche down again within that specialty. An automation engineer becomes test automation engineer specializing in mobile apps using Selenium and Appium.

I learned this the hard way. I started out as a product manager, and that was “fine”. But I struggled to stand out. Later on, I differentiated myself by focusing on education, then later, on AI education.

That specificity opened doors.

What you should do next: Look at 10 to 15 job postings for your target role. Note the common technologies and requirements. Then emphasize those exact skills in your LinkedIn profile and resume.

Use AI to make this faster. Take any job description and run this prompt:

“Compare this job description with my resume. What specific technologies, skills, and keywords should I emphasize to pass ATS screening and show I'm a perfect match?"

This ensures your application is actually seen instead of disappearing into a black hole.

Pick your lane, then own it completely.

🤩 9 roles we’re excited about

🚨 Just added! These remote roles were hand-picked yesterday at 09:03 AM ET. Get your application in early to stand out from the crowd.

Keep reading for 20+ more opportunities 👇

♠️ Being a generalist who "can learn anything" doesn't land in today's tough market.

You need to pick a specific target role and tailor your resume and LinkedIn to that.

Looking for help?

We help you rebuild your resume to

  • Surface your value in under 6 seconds

  • Restructure your LinkedIn profile so recruiters reach out to you

  • Align your narrative around the role you actually want

No more wondering why your applications disappear into black holes. Just materials that actually work.

Ready to land interviews faster?

👉 Get an email when this service becomes available?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

 💸 Spotlight: Patreon

🔬 Deep research is the secret to standing out in your application, cover letter, and interviews. Every newsletter, I’ll do that research for you with one company with open roles from this newsletter, so you can skip the work and improve your application.

🏢 What they do:

Platform enabling creators to build community, share exclusive content, and monetize passions

📍 Headquarters:

San Francisco, California

👤 Employee count:

1147

📈 Employee growth:

9% YoY growth (1054 → 1147 employees)

🗒️ Company reviews:

3.8/5 ⭐ rating (254 reviews) | 78% CEO approval

💸 Funding stage:

Exited

⚔️ Competitors:

Buy Me A Coffee, Ko-fi, Substack, Memberful, OnlyFans

📓 Three key initiatives:

  • Podcast Network Initiative: Building a program to bring select shows/networks (Sony, Wondery) onto Patreon, with RSS syncing, Synced Feeds to Spotify, and tools for podcasters to sell seasons/one-time purchases Source: Patreon News (2025-04-02); Bloomberg coverage (2025-04-02).

  • Podcasting & Creator Growth Tools: Emphasis on discovery, free memberships, Collections, community chats (Discord-like group chats), one-time purchases, and analytics to help creators grow revenue Source: Patreon About; Patreon Product & News articles (2025).

  • Policy & Trust & Safety Engagement: Creator Policy Engagement Program (CPEP) and ongoing policy revisions for safety, teen protections, and AI/NCII clarifications; active creator feedback via Patreon Connect livestreams Source: Patreon News (2025-12-04).

✈️ Remote work stance:

Patreon offers a hybrid work model! 🏢 Employees based in office locations (San Francisco, New York, and Porto) are expected to come into the office two days per week, with the goal of strengthening community through intentional in-person time together. However, the company also has remote-eligible roles that aren't subject to these in-office requirements, with teammates working remotely around the world.

🤖 Featured AI Tool: NotebookLLM - Your Research-to-Presentation Powerhouse

Struggling to transform research into compelling presentations for remote job interviews or client pitches? NotebookLLM might be your new secret weapon.

Google's AI research assistant describes itself as a "thinking partner that can analyze your sources, turn complexity into clarity and transform your content.”

NotebookLLM shines when you need to demonstrate deep understanding of industry research or company materials during your job search. It seamlessly integrates with Google Workspace, making it ideal for:

  • Research synthesis - Analyze 20+ sources to identify patterns and insights

  • Meeting documentation - Import Google Meet transcripts directly for analysis

  • Presentation creation - Transform research into professional slide decks with proper citations

👟Quick-Start Tips:

  • Start by importing multiple documents on your target company/industry

  • Ask NotebookLLM to identify key themes and supporting evidence

  • Use the new Slides feature to generate presentation-ready content with proper citations

  • Review and personalize the output to match your voice

🤝 When you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you land your next job:

1/ Land The Interview Resume Service - I fix your resume, LinkedIn, and cover letter so you stop getting ghosted and start getting responses. No more wondering why your applications disappear into black holes. Just marketing materials that work.

👉 Email you when this service is available?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

2/ Get personalized career coaching. Want to accelerate your remote job search? I'll work directly with you in my high-touch group coaching program. You'll get resume reviews, outreach message editing, interview feedback, and more, to help you land your dream remote role. Only 1 spot remaining. Sold out — join the waitlist.

🏢 Open Roles

👟 Speed wins. Yesterday morning at 9:37 ET I hand-picked the newest open remote roles before they get flooded with applications. Get exclusive early access to these open roles.

🎯 Product Roles

📣 Marketing Roles

  • Manager, Tradeshows and Customer Marketing at Pratt & Whitney; 🇨🇦 Apply here

  • Marketing Manager at Luxury Golf Tours Asia; 🌎 Apply here

  • Marketing Project Manager at Blowology Dry Bar; 🌎 Apply here

  • Marketing Manager at CyberCoders; 🌎 Apply here

  • Events and Field Marketing Manager at Artera; 🇺🇸 Apply here

  • Sr Content Marketing Manager at JDXpert; 🌎 Apply here

  • Growth Marketing Manager at Amplēo; 🌎 Apply here

  • Sr Manager, Growth Marketing at Mission Pet Health; 🌎 Apply here

  • Paid Social & Influencer Marketing Manager at Founderful; 🇨🇭 Apply here

  • Sr Manager, Marketing Business Partner at Sparkcentral by Hootsuite; 🇺🇸 Apply here

  • Events & Community Marketing Manager at Verifiable; 🇺🇸 Apply here

  • Online Marketing Manager at Discipled Church; 🌎 Apply here

  • Sr Online Marketing Manager at Clicks Digital; 🇩🇪 Apply here

  • Marketing Manager at Trafilea; 🇺🇸 Apply here

  • Marketing Manager at Qonto; 🇫🇷 Apply here

  • Marketing Manager at Start2; 🇺🇸 Apply here

🤩 Customer Success Roles

That’s a wrap. See you next week 👋

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