Working Girl's Guide #58: AI job apps, lazy girl Fourth plans, and the return of our corporate hotline

The hiring market is artificially competitive, no one takes breaks from work anymore (felt), and we’re prepping for a hot dog-forward Fourth.

Let’s get into it.

AI is making applying to jobs easier — but also overwhelming hiring managers

If you’ve been applying to jobs and not hearing back, it might have nothing to do with your resume. According to the NYT, job apps via LinkedIn are up 45% — and a lot of these are automated, ChatGPT-generated apps, which are leading to what a former recruiter called an “applicant tsunami.” Unfortunately, the article did not make any recommendations for beating out the AI applications, so if anyone here works in HR or recruiting and has thoughts, please respond — will share your tips next week!

We’re all working all the time, even Microsoft agrees

Ever feel like life is a neverending list of work emails and meetings that you get a break from basically while you’re in the shower or asleep and that’s it? Same! Microsoft published a pretty depressing study, which found that meetings after 8pm are up 16% compared to 2024, and the average worker sends or gets over 50 emails outside their 9-5. And 1/5 of employees are checking their work email before noon…on WEEKENDS.

BNPL is coming for your credit score

Buy Now, Pay Later loans have been everywhere lately: their uptick in usage for grocery purchases has been notable. Perhaps because of this FICO is starting to include BNPL data in credit card scores, which is interesting because most BNPL products were created for the express purpose of getting around credit card application requirements. The rollout of this update will probably take a long time (financial institutions are slower than Annie in the AM when she doesn’t want to go to pilates), so let’s not hold our breaths — but if you have BNPL debt brewing, recommend trying to pay it off asap!

I was OOO all week in Aruba, but the party really began when I got to Chicago with my college besties to celebrate my friend's bridal shower (we are deeep in the bridal season!). Huge plus that my mama was there — always so special when the friends’ moms are friends, too. We showered the bride and ended with a trip to a music festival. Look how cute the bride is in her white rosette top!

Gearing up for the 4th? Or perhaps you aren't taking PTO but will be consuming hot dogs from your desk then popping out a little early to make it to a BBQ on Friday afternoon? Whether you’re planning to dribble ketchup all over yourself for the duration of the weekend or just love a strong pop of color, this set is for you. If it feels too red, highly recommend pairing the top with white shorts instead. And obviously the phone chain is a necessity!

IDK who needs to hear this, but you do not need to host your own Fourth of July thing this year. If the vibes are better when you’re not in charge of the playlist, the burgers, AND the bug spray, but you also want to make sure SOMETHING happens with your friends, just rally the group, supply one thing (like the pickles. Anyone can bring pickles), and suggest a public meetup, like at a park or beach. Suddenly you have plans, people think you’re organized, and you don’t have to deep clean your apartment or learn how to marinade any meats. Spend the money you saved from not hosting on….a phone chain.

This week, the Corporate Hotline is back, and completely unhinged. From naked Zoom calls to office hookups and confessions that honestly can’t legally be verified, Ross and I read the most salacious, shocking, and mildly traumatic workplace stories submitted by you all. I also share my engagement story (YAY!!), and we wrap the episode with a very serious debate on jalapeño poppers, cosplay conventions, and the fine line between people-watching… and people watching. Listen here.

Thanks for reading!