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  • Chit Chats with Lonni: Protect Your Peace, Paycheck, and Plan (and Learn How Recruiting Really Works)

Chit Chats with Lonni: Protect Your Peace, Paycheck, and Plan (and Learn How Recruiting Really Works)

Author

Jalonni Weaver
November 12, 2025

In partnership with

Hey friend,

This week, I want to talk about something that can make or break your job search — timing and strategy.

I’ve seen so many candidates get caught up in the excitement of a new opportunity and make moves too fast. Whether it’s putting in your 2-week notice before your background check clears, or declining one offer because you think another is coming — those decisions can backfire in ways that leave you without options.

So today, let’s slow down and walk through what you should be doing between the offer, the notice, and the start date.

🚨 Don’t Quit Too Soon

It’s tempting to hand in that 2-weeks notice the moment you get the verbal “you’re hired.”

But here’s the reality: you’re not officially hired until your offer letter is signed and your background check has cleared.

Your offer is contingent on that background check — and delays happen more often than you think.

Here’s what I recommend:

✅ Wait until everything is finalized. Make sure you’ve signed your offer letter and your background check is marked as complete.
✅ Plan for a 3–4 week window between your offer and your new start date. That gives:

  • Two weeks for proper notice to your current employer.

  • One week for your background check to clear and life to get organized before you start.

I’ve seen candidates give notice early, only for something to delay the process. Suddenly, they’re in limbo — no paycheck, no start date, and no fallback.

I’ve also been there personally. I’ve given my 2-weeks notice and had employers tell me, “today will actually be your last day.” So please — don’t assume you’ll have those two weeks guaranteed. Always protect yourself financially and emotionally.

🚫 Don’t Decline Too Fast

Here’s another hard truth: don’t decline an offer unless you have another signed offer in hand.

I’ve seen people turn down great opportunities because they thought another company was going to come through — and then that offer never happened. Now they’re left with nothing.

Remember, until it’s in writing — with your name, compensation, and start date — it’s not real.

It’s perfectly fine to hold one offer while waiting to hear back from another. Be transparent and communicate professionally with the recruiter if you need a few days to make a decision. Most will understand.

Only decline if you’re 1001% sure that the job isn’t for you and you’re ready to move on without regret.

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🤖 Let’s Talk About AI + Recruiting (Debunking Myths)

Let’s clear up one of the biggest misconceptions in recruiting right now — that AI screens your resume and recruiters never see it.

That’s not true.
Recruiters do see every resume that comes through. But depending on the company and the system being used, AI might help organize or “score” resumes based on keywords or how well your experience matches the job description.

Here’s how it actually works:

🟢 AI helps with volume. When hundreds of applications come in, some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use AI to rank resumes in order of best keyword match.
🟢 Recruiters still review them manually. Most companies require recruiters to review each applicant — especially for roles that are public-facing or regulated.
🟢 AI is limited. AI can’t read nuance or understand transferable skills the way a human can. For example, it might not realize that your “Customer Experience Manager” role has the same core skills as a “Client Success Manager” role.

Now, do all recruiters personally review every resume? I can’t speak for everyone. Some recruiters, especially in high-volume environments, rely more heavily on automation simply because of the number of applications they receive.

But the truth is, the best recruiters know AI is a tool — not a decision-maker.

So what can you do as a job seeker?

💡 Tailor your resume. Mirror the job description where it makes sense. Use relevant keywords, but don’t stuff them unnaturally.
💡 Highlight impact. Show results and metrics. Humans — not AI — are the ones who make final decisions.
💡 Focus on clarity. Use simple formatting. Avoid over-designing your resume, because the ATS can’t read tables, icons, or graphics easily.

AI might help sort the stack, but your story, your results, and your voice still carry the most weight.

💼 Jobs of the Week

Special thanks to Haley ONeill for collecting this list for HR/People roles. Make sure to connect or follow her on LinkedIn for all things recruiting.

💬 Final Thoughts

Job searching is not just about applying — it’s about strategy, patience, and preparation.

Before you make your next move, ask yourself:

  • Have I signed my offer and cleared my background?

  • Am I declining this role based on fact or assumption?

  • Does my resume tell my story clearly, both for AI and a human eye?

Be excited about your next opportunity, but don’t rush the process. The right offer will align when the timing — and your preparation — match.

Until next time,
Lonni 💛
Your Recruiter Friend

📸 Mini Sessions Are Here!

Outside of recruiting, many of you know that photography is one of my greatest passions — it’s how I help people capture confidence, joy, and new beginnings.

I’m hosting Holiday Mini Sessions this season, and I would love to see you there!

📍 Dallas: November 22 & December 6 - 7
📍 Houston: December 14

Each session includes:
✨ A 10-minute shoot
✨ An online gallery within 24 hours
✨ 5 beautifully edited photos per session (for those who booked multiple spots)

Please note that I don’t do extensive retouching — what you see on my website reflects my true editing style.

To book a session, please head over to my website.

These sessions are filling up fast, so if you’re in Dallas or Houston, grab your spot and let’s create something special.

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